Here I’ll be adding handy business analyst resources, including information on tools and techniques, as well as links to any nuggets I’ve come across on the web.
Professional bodies + certification
Info on the main professional bodies and certifications in business analysis.
The business analysis community
Where to find more resources and connect with the wider BA community.
Practical guides and templates
A collection of handy guides and templates for use in your business analysis work.
Professional bodies and certification
The leading professional bodies in business analysis are IIBA and BCS. While IIBA is a global body, BCS is a UK organisation. They both offer recognised professional certifications for practising BAs.
IIBA
IIBA (the International Institute of Business Analysis) is a global professional body, headquartered in Canada.
Local chapters around the world support the BA community, while the central body promotes standards in business analysis and offers several tiers of certification. Members can access a range of online knowledge and career resources.
IIBA’s main certification is the Certified Business Analysis Professional (or CBAP). Obtaining this involves passing an exam and providing evidence of business analysis performed over a period of time. Entry-level and early-career certifications are also available.
More information on the IIBA certification pathway can be found here.
BCS
BCS (the Chartered Institute for IT) offers the International Diploma in Business Analysis, a modular certification that is widely recognised in the UK. It consists of four written examinations (with a mix of mandatory and selected modules), plus an oral exam. An advanced diploma is also available for expert practitioners.
You can view the full BCS certification pathway here.
Business analysis community
The business analysis community is an amorphous, organic, and global collection of networks, both formal and informal. In the sections below, you’ll find directions to BA networks and groups, insightful blogs and articles, and great podcasts, webinars, and video content.
BA networks and groups
IIBA UK Chapter
IIBA’s UK Chapter is volunteer-led and supports the business analysis community in the UK with a wide range of learning and social events and a superb annual mentoring scheme. The chapter has five branches, and local volunteers organise a great programme of online and in-person events.
Young Business Analysts
The YBA group provides networking and learning events for BAs 35 and under.
BCS
BCS is the Chartered Institute for IT. While BCS covers all aspects of Information Technology, volunteers do run events specifically for the business analysis world. Details of BCS’s various communities can be found here.
Blogs and articles
Better Business Analysis
Just in case you didn’t spot it, you can find my blog here!
BA Digest
The brilliant Adrian Reed at Blackmetric curates the quarterly BA Digest magazine, with contributors from new and established voices from across the business analysis world.
BA Times
BA Times publishes new articles weekly from guest writers.
Modern Analyst
Modern Analyst regularly publishes articles by practising BAs on all aspects of business analysis.
Webinars and events
IIBA
IIBA runs many webinars and online events across its various chapters. All events are free for IIBA members, and many are also free to non-members. Upcoming UK Chapter events are also listed here.
Agora Insights
Deirdre Caren at Agora Insights speaks to some great voices from the world of business analysis in the Blueprints for Success series.
Blackmetric
Adrian Reed at Blackmetric has published a ton of great video content at BAHub, and also regularly hosts some fantastic webinars (with great speakers) which you can find here.
Herd Consulting
Jamie Toyne and the crew at Herd maintain a list of upcoming business analysis events in the UK – always worth checking out!
The Visual Jam
Paddy and Grant at The Visual Jam provide some amazing events for anyone interested in visual thinking. Highly recommended!
Podcasts/webcasts and interviews
There are some great places to hear from voices in the world of business analysis.
BA Brew
Assist KD host a regular interview podcast, BA Brew. It’s a great place to hear from experts in the BA world.
OneSixEightFM
Joe Newbert (and some brilliant co-hosts) discuss all kinds of BA topics here.
Inside Business Analysis
Thando Jacobs has been interviewing loads of BAs for his Inside Business Analysis series, exploring different perspectives in business analysis. He was even kind enough to invite me on!
BA Insights
John Wisner at Capco hosts the BA Insights series of interviews and panel discussions – he always gets fantastic guests!
Business analysis conferences
BA Conference Europe
BA Conference Europe is an annual conference held every September in London, and is hosted by IRM.
BA & Beyond
BA & Beyond is an annual conference held across multiple cities in Europe.
BA Life
BA Life is an annual virtual conference.
Building Business Capability
BBC is IIBA’s annual conference, held in the United States.
Guides and templates
Here are some guides to business analysis techniques and handy templates for use in your work. I’ll be adding things all the time, but if there’s anything you’d really like me to add, get in touch and let me know.
Business strategy
Process analysis and improvement
Requirements engineering
Stakeholder analysis and engagement
Product and service design
