Modern IT departments need to effectively interact and engage with the business side of operations, especially as the use of IT grows within small and large organisations. 

Business analysts certainly understand the need for IT, and the associated problems and opportunities that information technology can offer. In turn, this means they're able to recommend solutions and strategies, defining and validating a project at the earliest possible stage.

Regardless of whether or not the role of a business analyst is defined within the project, it's important for key team members to be versed in the techniques and necessary tools to bring about change.

With the right certification, an organisation can grow a capable team of business analysts. These staff can act as translators and liaisons between stakeholders, so as to communicate requirements for change to business processes.

The Business Analysis Foundation course is especially useful, and companies and business leaders need to consider it.

Understanding Business Analysis

This is the practice of enabling change within an organisation, chiefly by defining needs and recommending solutions. Often, these are solutions capable of delivering value to stakeholders.

The business analyst role, which includes systems analysts and requirements engineers, relies on business analysis skills for success. These are agents of change within a company, using disciplined approaches for introducing and managing change within organisations – regardless of their size and type.

These experts use analysis to identify and articulate the need for change and subsequently facilitate it. This expertise and knowledge is especially useful when leading a company through unchartered territory in order to get to the desired destination.

Essentially, a business analyst can prove to be an essential asset to an organisation, ensuring companies can improve the way business is conducted. 

"The value of business analysis is in realisation of benefits, avoidance of cost, identification of new opportunities, understanding of required capabilities and modelling the organisation," The International Institute of Business Analysis website explained.

Business Analysis Foundation

ALC Training offer a comprehensive course in the foundations of Business Analysis. This details a number of categories necessary to develop a better understanding of Business Analysis.

Here are three of the key topic areas:

• The role of analysts: This section is key, and ensures that participants understand the various roles and responsibilities of a business analyst.
• Best practices: Following the first section, the course moves to familiarity with the best practices in Business Analysis.
• Developing new skills: This focuses on attaining new skills to develop, manage and communicate business requirements. There is also attention placed on how to be a productive and contributing member of the organisational team.

Who should attend the Business Analysis Foundation course?

This course is appropriate for everyone within the company requiring an understanding of Business Analysis, including business analysts themselves, team leaders, change managers and project managers.

Companies can also have system engineers take part – something that is especially useful, as they'll have a strong understanding of the analysis process.

Once participants have completed the course, they'll have a solid foundation of knowledge that is necessary for the next stage of modular certificates.

It can also be useful when to comes time to take part in higher level courses. For example, the ISEB Diploma in Business Analysis.

Upon completion of the diploma, candidates should be capable of demonstrating the role and competencies of a business analyst, business system and process modelling, stakeholder analysis and business case development.

Other areas include management of business change and investigation and modelling techniques.

The depth of the content covered here is comprehensive, but ensures participants are fully versed in the required knowledge.

If you'd like to learn more about the Business Analysis Foundation Course, or begin training for your organisation, contact the team at ALC Training today.

ALC can deliver courses across Australia and throughout the Asia Pacific.