Business Analysis Training FAQ
I am moving into a BA role - which is the right course for me?
Business Systems Analysis is designed to give you a complete methodology for the role of a Business Analyst, equipping you with tools and techniques to face any situation in your new role. The course provides grounding in the skills and techniques required by the BA - it is a fundamental course covering what you need to know to be a BA and giving you the tools to implement in the role straight away.
I have been a BA for 5 years but haven't had any formal training - what course do you recommend?
We cater for many people who have been acting in the BA role but who haven't received formal training. Business Systems Analysis will cover some aspects of business analysis you are familiar with, some that you may have learnt and since forgotten and also introduce you to some new ideas. It is a very interactive course, allowing participants to hone their skills and develop their ideas to become an even better BA!
I am currently working in a help desk role - which course will help me to move into a BA role?
I am a developer and would like to move into a BA role - which course will help me transition into a BA role?
You will find Business Systems Analysis extremely useful. You will probably already be familiar with many of the technical skills taught, however there will be additional techniques, such as elicitation techniques, that will assist you in moving out of a pure developer role.
Is Business Systems Analysis your fundamentals BA course - Is this for a Business Analyst or a Systems Analyst?
Business Systems Analysis covers the business analysis lifecycle for IT projects. As part of this, the role of the Business Systems Analyst spans both the business and IT functions. Occasionally the Business Systems Analyst role is split into Business Analyst (business) and Systems Analyst (IT). The Business Systems Analysis course covers both roles.
Can the course be tailored to my organisation's specfic needs?
Software Education courses are designed to be adaptable. We can tailor the content, duration and delivery method of the course to your needs. Please contact us for more details.
Can we tailor the case study to our environment?
Yes we can tailor case studies or even introduce your own case studies into our courses - this often has the advantage of creating a smoother transition between the training room and implementation in the work place. It also allows group discussion and common practice to be adopted by the team. Depending on the amount of tailoring, this work may or may not incur an additional cost.
Alternatively, we can use the existing case study during the course and then afterwards, work with you to apply everything that was learnt into an open discuss on your specific environment. This approach takes advantage of the fact that our existing case studies are complete in scope and provide worked through examples. Our trainers are highly skilled at encouraging participants to 'step back' from their residual knowledge and putting into practice the new techniques learnt.
Do you cover the 'soft skills' for a BA?
Most of our business analysis courses cover soft skills, as communications skills are key for a BA; how to elicit requirements, understand the difference between a need and a want, understand what users say is what they mean etc. Software Education courses align with the underlying fundamental knowledge areas (which cover communication skills) of the BABOK®.
How is the course conducted?
Lecturing is kept to the minimum necessary. A participative approach is used on Software Education courses to enable learning by discovery. Most courses contain comprehensive case studies that the participants work through over the duration of the course, applying all the techniques learned to build a complete understanding of the subject. Participants are encouraged to interact and work together in groups to explore and understand the principles discussed.
Is this an IIBA endorsed course, if so how many hours will it count towards the CBAP professional development requirement?
Software Education is an Endorsed Education Provider (EEP) for the IIBA and currently has seven business analysis courses specifically endorsed. For those working towards CBAP certification: all seven courses contribute Continuing Development Units. One CDU is gained for each classroom hour of instruction, so the five day Business Systems Analysis course earns 35 CDUs. These courses cover all of the knowledge areas in the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge (BABOK®). Committed to raising the professional standard in our industry, Software Education has been involved with the IIBA from an early stage and is a regular event sponsor for both IIBA Australia and IIBA New Zealand Chapters. For more information on Software Education's involvement with the IIBA including a list of our endorsed courses, click here.
Is there a test and/or certificate involved?
For all Software Education courses, participants will receive a certificate of attendance. There are no tests following any Business Analysis courses however Software Education offers BA Assess which is an online exam measuring the participant's knowledge against the BABOK. There is a small additional fee to sit this assessment.
What support will the attendees have after the course?
Attendees on any Software Education course are given the contact details of their tutor, who can be contacted to answer questions when back into the workplace. You will also have access to the Software Education Account Management Team who will be able to answer questions in consultation with our tutors. We will follow up after the training to ensure the course provided you with the skills and techniques you required, and to make sure you have taken away useful ideas and tools back to the workplace.
What does the course material consist of?
Most Software Education courses equip participants with a course folder with copies of the presentation slides and extensive notes along with case study sample answers.
What are the benefits of the course opposed to reading a book on the subject?
A book doesn't replace the face to face contact with a tutor and the ability to practice the new skills through a case study with guidance and advice. The interactive classroom, access to a professional BA trainer and talking and networking with other BA's is the additional value that cannot be found within a book. This additional value helps not only secure the methodology, but also allows for each individual to understand how and why it can be implemented back in the workplace.
What is recommended to attendees following the training to make it more effective?
We recommend putting the skills into action straight away, using what is covered on the course in the workplace.
