Business Analysis Practice

An essential introduction to the core principles of Business Analysis, bringing key tools and techniques to life using practical exercises. A key step towards the internationally recognised BCS Diploma in Business Analysis.

Who will the Course Benefit?

Business analysts, project managers, product owners, service designers, business change managers and anyone who requires a thorough understanding of strategic business analysis. Business Analysis Practice is also a core module for the BCS (ISEB) International Diploma in Business Analysis.

Course Overview

The Business Analysis Practice course introduces the essential skills of business analysis. The emphasis throughout is on practical learning, using real-life case studies to introduce key skills including strategic analysis, stakeholder management, business activity modelling, gap analysis and making a business case.

The course is presented by one of our expert training consultants, pictured below. Every member of the Business Analysis (BA) training team offers extensive professional knowledge and wide-ranging experience of BA projects.

Exams

Yes. The course prepares delegates for the BCS Practitioner Certificate in Business Analysis Practice examination. If this course is part of your BCS Diploma in Business Analysis programme you have a choice of further modules which include the other Core BA Diploma module, Requirements Engineering.

Candidates who have already completed the Core modules can take one Practitioner specialism, which includes Benefits Management and Business Acceptance, Systems Modelling Techniques, Modelling Business Processes, Systems Development Essentials or Data Management Essentials. Before taking the Oral exam, candidates must also pass one of the Foundation Specialisms; in Business Analysis, IS Project Management, Business Change or Commercial Awareness.

For delegates attending a classroom, virtual classroom or online course, the exam may be taken remotely using our online proctoring service. This exam consists of 40 multiple-choice questions with a pass mark of 26/40.

Further Learning

If this course is part of your BCS Diploma in Business Analysis programme you have a choice of further modules which include the other core BA Diploma module, Requirements Engineering. Candidates who have already completed the Core modules can take one Practitioner specialism, which includes Benefits Management and Business Acceptance, Systems Modelling Techniques, Modelling Business Processes, Systems Development Essentials or Data Management Essentials. Before taking the Oral exam, candidates must also pass one of the Foundation Specialisms; in Business Analysis, IS Project Management, Business Change or Commercial Awareness.

Syllabus

Business Analysis Practice (a three-day course)

Course Content

Business analysis rationale

• The scope of business analysis.
• Definition of business analysis services.
• The use of Design Thinking in business analysis.

Strategic context for business analysis

• External analysis – PESTLE, Five Forces Analysis.
• Internal analysis – Resource Audit, VMOST.

Business performance measurement

• Critical success factors and key performance indicators.
• Measuring performance – the Balanced Business Scorecard.

A project approach to business analysis

• Initiating a business analysis study.
• Defining terms of reference.

Understanding the business situation

• Investigation techniques.
• Documenting the business situation:
  • Customer journey maps.
  • Empathy maps.
  • Rich pictures.
  • Mind maps.

Stakeholder engagement and business perspectives

• Identifying stakeholders.
• Analysing stakeholders – Power/Interest Grid, RACI.
• Stakeholder management strategies.
• Defining business perspectives – CATWOE.

Analysing and modelling the business activities

• Types of business activity.
• Building a conceptual business activity model.
• Consolidating perspectives and building consensus.

Establish the target state

• Gap analysis.
• Business event analysis.
• Target Operating Model (POPIT™)

Making the business case

• The lifecycle for a business case.
• Contents of a business case.
• Feasibility assessment.
• Options.
• Costs and benefits.
• Investment appraisal.
• Impacts and risks.

Reviewed: September 2023