BCS Professional Certificate in Agile Business Analysis

This course is aimed at experienced Business Analysts who wish to understand the application of the Agile philosophy, principles, tools and techniques to business change projects. Delegates will use their existing knowledge of business analysis to explore the context of Agile within a business environment.

Key areas of the course include:

• The Agile Philosophy
• The Agile Manifesto
• Lean thinking
• Agile principles
• Agile methods and techniques such as User Stories, Functional Model Maps, Backlogs and MosCoW
• Examination on the afternoon of the final day.

Please do note that the course timetable is designed to include coverage of new content up to around mid-afternoon on day 3. Delegates should be prepared to spend around 1 -2 hours per evening on homework and revision activities. This may include activities set by the instructor as appropriate.

Target Audience

This certification is relevant for experienced business analysts, business architects, project managers and business managers wishing to explore the philosophy, methods, principles and techniques within an Agile approach and its relevance to business analysis. Note that if you are intending to work towards the BCS Advanced Diploma in Business Analysis then you must already have the International Diploma in Business Analysis.

• Describe the Agile philosophy
• Understand the core values of Agile with relation to the manifesto and interpret the key principles
• Describe Agile methods and their application and illustrate the use of analysis, modelling and documentation techniques
• Understand the BA role in the Agile business environment
• Understand stakeholders in Agile
• Discuss the 8 wastes of Lean and FMM
• Analyse business goals and their decomposition
• Identify and document user stories
• Explain the product backlog, its uses and management
• State the BA role in an Agile team
• Explain how to plan and manage an iteration

Prerequisites for Agile Business Analysis

• It is recommended that delegates should have completed, or have knowledge to the level of, the BCS International Business Analysis Diploma or the BCS Solutions Development Diploma, before attempting this course
• This 3-day specialist course leads to the BCS Professional Certificate in Agile Business Analysis.
• Candidates are expected to understand CATWOE, Business Activity Modelling and Use Case Diagrams prior to attending this course.

Prerequisites for including this course as part of the Advanced Diploma in Business Analysis

• This course is one of the 4 BCS professional certificates offered by QA which can be combined and lead to the Advanced Diploma in Business Analysis.
• If you are planning to work towards obtaining the Advanced Diploma then you must already hold the BCS International Diploma in Business Analysis and provide further evidential criteria, see below for details.

How do you obtain the Advanced Diploma?

Anyone who holds the BCS International Diploma in Business Analysis can begin working towards the BCS Advanced Diploma.

There are three elements to be achieved in order to be awarded the Advanced Diploma:

• Gain certifications in four subject areas across three skill domains
• Provide evidence of a minimum of five years' experience in business analysis
• Provide evidence of engaging with the BA community.

Exam Requirements

If you are taking a BCS exam you must bring photographic identification with you (passport, driving license or student card), as it is a BCS requirement to produce it for the invigilator prior to the exam. Failure to produce a valid form of photographic identification will result in a candidate not being able to sit the exam. For any questions about what form of identification is acceptable please contact your Account Manager or the QA Examination Administration team on 44 (0)1793 696273.

BCS allow additional time for candidates who have a disability or whose native language differs to that of the examination paper. Full details are provided in the BCS Reasonable Adjustments Policy which is available to view on the BCS website. If you believe you qualify for this then please notify the Exam Administration team on the details below as early as possible. At least two weeks' notice will be required for processing this request. Delegates failing to advise QA and provide evidence when requested, may not be allowed the additional support offered via the BCS policy. QA Exam Administration can be contacted by email exam.admin@qa.com or by phone 44(0) 1793 696162.

The Agile Philosophy

• The history of Agile and the Agile Manifesto
• Agile components
• Agile and the business environment
• Lean Business Analysis and thinking

Agile Key Principles

• Collaborative working
• Self-organising teams
• Continuous improvement
• Iterative development/incremental delivery
• Plan and build in change

Agile Methods

• Linear vs empirical methods
• Evolution and history of the methods
• Agile methods - DSDM, UP, SCRUM, XP, Lean Software
• The BA role in Agile

Understanding Stakeholders

• Stakeholder groups
• Agile AB role in engaging and managing stakeholders
• Agile Modelling
• Models and hierarchy
• MoSCoW prioritisation
• Decomposing and organising business goals

Agile Techniques

• User stories
• Managing requirements with the product backlog
• Estimating using Delphi and story points
• Managing the iterations, including velocity

Agile BA Planning

• Using storyboarding, scenarios and prototyping
• Creating a Kanban board

The BA Role

• Agile business analysis
• The idea of the 'generalising specialist'