Demand for Business Analysis Certification

There seems to be little demand for business analysis certification. Searches on many business forums show fewer results for related BA certifications than in other areas such as project management.

Why is this the case?

I think it's a combination of several reasons. The main governing body is the IIBA (International Institute of Business Analysis). I recently read an excellent opinion piece on business analysis that stated that the IIBA is a good organization, but that it will take time for PMI to reach its current level of maturity.

I also think it is a lesser-known profession. While in school, I specialized in software development (Oracle database and Java). Since then, I have evolved into my current role as a Business Analyst. I didn't even think about it in college, and I don't even remember if I knew what a business analyst was at the time. I don't think it's a skill or field that is particularly encouraged in universities. In my day, most computer science students went on to become developers, network administrators, or project managers, and there was no such term as a business analyst.

What are some of the qualifications for business analysts?

Actually, there are several business analysis certification in the industry; a quick Google search or research will usually lead you to the IIBA website. IIBA offers two main certifications, CCBA and CBAP.

The CCBA (Certification of Competency in Business Analysis) is for those who want to be recognized as business analysis certification. It requires experience in the field of business analysis but is not just a suggestion. To earn this certification, you need to meet criteria, which include hours in various knowledge areas, a high level of education, and a professional manager certification.

There is also the CBAP (Certified Business Analyst Professional). This certification is for the most experienced members of the BA community. It also has higher experience requirements than CBAP, such as a certain number of hours of experience in a related field, higher education, and a letter of recommendation from a career manager.

There are other BA certifications (I know there are Master's in Business Analysis courses out there), but the two IIBA certifications are the most recognized. This leads me to the next question:...

Should I get certified as a Business Analyst?

In other articles about the BA profession, some people have asked if you need a certification to get started. What kind of certification should I get? How do I get started in Business Analysis? How did you get started?

Well, I don't think you need a certification to get a role as a BA. Many business analysts I know started with a technical background (developer, tester, etc.) and then voluntarily moved into the business analysis certification role.

Certainly, it is possible to obtain one of these certifications, but I don't think it is absolutely necessary; understanding the business environment and processes of IT projects is equally important. This information can come from knowledge of other disciplines (e.g. degrees) and experience in technical roles.