ISEB BCS Business Analysis International Diploma

[Cenobite]

I'm looking to get away from development contracts and become a contract business analyst: rates tend to be higher and it doesn't seem to have been offshored. The sort of BA I'm interested in is usually termed 'Agile Analyst'.

All of my roles have been as an 'analyst/developer'. In many places I've worked there haven't been any BAs at all, and the developers do all the analysis. When I've been places that did have BAs, they couldn't answer my questions and told me to just talk to the customer directly, which made me question their raison d'être. I've taken the time to write a business analyst version of my CV which is totally different from my development one but agents just aren't putting me through.

I'd have thought coming from a development background would be an advantage but according to the agents they're not looking for people with technical backgrounds. I think I'm too personable to be a developer sometimes.

I really don't want to have to go permie to become a BA, especially when I already know I can do the job. So I'm thinking about doing the expensive BCS Business Analysis International Diploma. It involves four exams and an oral examination at the BCS office. This gives me some confidence since it's not just a certificate of attendance.

Is the diploma rare or highly valued? Do you think it'd give me a decent chance of landing a BA contract?

[cojak]

I'm looking to get away from development contracts and become a contract business analyst: rates tend to be higher and it doesn't seem to have been offshored. The sort of BA I'm interested in is usually termed 'Agile Analyst'.

All of my roles have been as an 'analyst/developer'. In many places I've worked there haven't been any BAs at all, and the developers do all the analysis. When I've been places that did have BAs, they couldn't answer my questions and told me to just talk to the customer directly, which made me question their raison d'être. I've taken the time to write a business analyst version of my CV which is totally different from my development one but agents just aren't putting me through.

I'd have thought coming from a development background would be an advantage but according to the agents they're not looking for people with technical backgrounds. I think I'm too personable to be a developer sometimes.

I really don't want to have to go permie to become a BA, especially when I already know I can do the job. So I'm thinking about doing the expensive BCS Business Analysis International Diploma. It involves four exams and an oral examination at the BCS office. This gives me some confidence since it's not just a certificate of attendance.

Is the diploma rare or highly valued? Do you think it'd give me a decent chance of landing a BA contract?

The BCS BA Diploma isn't Agile. The BCS are developing one but it won't be ready until 2014/15.

They do Agile Foundation and Practitioner exams Agile | Certifications | BCS Certifications which TCC use in their Agile BA course TCC - Agile Business Analysis .

The current Agile courses are for experienced BAs to side slip into Agile. They don't give you the BA foundation and tools that you need to be a good BA.

The new Agile Diploma will give you those foundations and Agile.

[cojak]

PS.

When I have make a radical shift in direction for contracting period I allow 24 months from deciding to angling existing contracts, training, further research and learning, building reputation in new skills to the final 'getting a contract' in the new skill.

You're not going to go from zero to hero with a few days training (but since you're looking at the diploma I guess you know that )

[Cenobite]

The BCS BA Diploma isn't Agile. The BCS are developing one but it won't be ready until 2014/15.

I did wonder this because being an Agile Analyst is quite different from being a traditional Business Analyst. I was hoping to cover both bases by getting Certified Scrum Master as well (even though I already know Scrum). If I go through with this it's going to be an expensive do!

[Cenobite]

PS.
You're not going to go from zero to hero with a few days training (but since you're looking at the diploma I guess you know that )

But this is my contention: I'm not starting from zero. I've always been an analyst/developer. There's no such thing as a pure programming job any more: since the developers are often generally competent, they do much of the analysis, deployment, technical and systems architecture, and some testing.

Also, it's ten days, four exams and an oral exam (not sure if agents know that though). That sounds more substantial than a one day course with a certificate of attendance.

As an Agile Analyst, your main task is to talk non-technical with the customer and technical with the developers. I've been doing that for years and I think my development background gives me an advantage: the few BAs I've worked with have never written a line of code so don't know how precise requirements have to be in order they can be converted to code.

You're not the only one: I'm not convincing the agents either.

[Smartie]

It's better to have the qualification than not - I've been to quite a few places for BA roles and they often ask about it. My current client was even going to write it into their BA job specs until I pointed out that it shouldn't be mandatory - I don't have it.

Having a dev background is a benefit for many BA-type roles as you can talk the devs language and understand technical issues that come up. You also need to be good at working with the business though.

Having said that the BA role covers such a wide range from technical systems analysis to strategic business analysis. You'd probably be best looking for a Systems Analyst role as well/instead which might make an easier transition. You'll probably get something, but it might take a while (months). Alternatively, they're desperate for permie BA's at the moment - might be a good place to solidify your skills in that role.

[original PM]

Sometimes the problem is that the client co want a developer for example - but a developer who can do more than just code to requirements, so someone who can add value over and above their skills - often it is useful to have knowledge of the industry you are working in.

But in the above case they will always advertsie for a developer as that is the 'base' skill then need.

I would probably recomend both Agile foundation and BA foundation (both ae pretty basic exams) get these and then get some expereince of being a BA/Agile PM (find a junior role if you can stomach it) you almost need to play down your dev skills here.

In addition I think when looking for a contractor most companies just want the one skill to fill a particular hole -either PM or BA or DEV.

If you went permie you could build the role to suit your strengths.

[Cenobite]

Thanks Smartie and Original PM.

I just can't stomach going permie. If it were what's deemed an 'Agile Analyst' role, I think I could hit the ground running. Traditional BA, not so much but hopefully I'd know more about it after the course. I'm already pretty good at UML diagrams and that, but know developers want specification-by-example rather than some diagrams. (As a developer I think UML diagrams should be temporary and live on a whiteboard, and it's rare that you should take the time to persist them in a CASE tool.)

I'm wondering whether to go for analyst roles at way below market rate because I think once I can say I've been an analyst then I might not need the qualification. The agents aren't asking if I got BA qualifications: they're asking if I've ever been a pure business analyst. The qualification was my idea but I'm going to start running it past them when I call from now on.

It's awkward that the qualification is for a traditional BA, which I'd do if it were offered, but ideally I'm going for agile analyst.

[original PM]

That is a problem sometimes - and you do have to doctor your CV for each role.

So if you want a BA role then make sure your CV points out all the BA work, similar if you want a PM..

When contracting the client will want/expect someone who knows how to be a BA and only a BA - not someone who has a few BA skills but will revert to being a dev guy when the going gets tough..

Have to say the Basic ISEB BA course is good - or at the very least read the book - Business Analysis Second Edition by Paul, Yeates and Cadle - it generally gives you the basic tools and language to look like a BA.

Just out of interest can you describe what an Agile BA would do?

[Antman]

Pure BA roles: sit around drinking coffee all day

On another point, the difficulty I find with marketing yourself as one or the other (and having CVs to match) is that you only have one linkedin profile which dilutes the message you're trying to get over. Although you can focus on achievements on it, agents/clients will still see what you brand yourself as before diving in.