usiness Analysis and Project Management are two entirely different fields of study. A certified professional in business analysis is expected to analyze a business domain, identify needs and provide adequate solutions using a business model that will make the business successful. However, a certified professional in project management is responsible for the success or failure of a given project in an organization. They are otherwise known as a certified scrum master.
Business analysts across several fields in Canada and the United States are expected to acquire certifications offered by International Business Broker’s Association (IBBA) or International Qualification Board for Business Analysis (IQBBA). These are accredited associations that approve necessary certifications for business analysis practice. Those certifications will not only get you qualified to practice in the field, but they will also make you improve and stay relevant in any organization you find yourself.
Companies rely heavily on business analysts because their practice involves analyzing circumstances that can hinder the smooth running of a business and finding possible solutions. They also have the skills to manage the resources that can save the cost of operation in any firm. This high level of business evaluation skills is what makes a business analyst essential and inevitable.
Role of a Business Analysts in Relation to Project Management
The major talking point of this section of the guide is to highlight the relevance of PMP certification for business analysts. The duty of a business analyst can come in different forms depending on the organization. Companies especially refine the role of a business analyst so as to meet the needs and demands of their business.
A wrong or unclear analysis of the demands of a business can lead to such business running at a loss. This loss can be a result of solving the challenges encountered during the software development life cycle of a business.
So, business analysts are important in the development process of any business. For instance, some companies will employ a business analyst to mainly evaluate challenges and validate solutions for certain company conditions while others will employ them to simply oversee project management related issues.
In software development, Scrum masters lead the team of project managers by providing insights and teaching other young professionals in the field ways to execute projects. To be successful in this field as a business analyst, it is important to get Agile project management certification.
This is where the need for PMP certification comes in for a business analyst.
Several responsibilities that business analysts perform can be passed for that of a project manager. While business analysts can work with a project team, it is vital to note that “not all business analysts have to become project managers”.
You can get certifications as a business analyst depending on the aspect of the business analysis field you want to focus on. This decision can also be influenced by the role you perform in an organization. That is why you see a certified scrum master working as business analyst in top organizations.
Therefore, if you are interested in getting a project management certification as a business analyst, you need to check out PMP certifications and enroll for one.
What is PMP Certification?
PMP is a professional course specially designed for people interested in becoming project managers. This certification is specially designed for professionals willing to take up the role of a project manager in an organization. As a project manager, you will be tasked with the responsibility of planning and executing projects for both small and large organizations. You will go through an intensive scrum master training if you enroll for this certification.
A scrum master certification is like a baseline for any professional willing to work as a certified scrum master. So getting a scrum master training can help you broaden your knowledge of project management as a business analyst. The training will introduce you to the Agile style of project management which has been deployed in several industries over the years. A good example is the marketing niche, software development niche, and financial services niche.
As a certified scrum master, you can bring positive change to any organization you find yourself in. The scrum master training will introduce you to a unique management style such as the agile leadership model.
Becoming a certified scrum master entails enrolling for advanced certifications such as;
- Certified Scrum Master (CSM)
- Certified Scrum Developer (CSD)
- Professional Scrum Master (PSM)
- Agile Certified Practitioner (ACP)
- Certified Scrum Professional (CSP)
These and many more are examples of Agile project management certifications you can get if you register for a scrum master training. Your role in a company will determine which type of certification you should enroll for.
About Agile Project Management Certification
Agile project management certified professionals have a good understanding of the methods and core values of Agile which is centered around adaptive planning.
Agile project management certification will give you a detailed Agile overview such as teaching you why you need to use Agile and also introducing you to the several domains of Agile practice. You will also get to learn about Agile tools and artifacts associated with project management.
Furthermore, you will learn about the history of Scrum and why it is important. You will be introduced to a detailed Scrum overview that ensures you know more about the scalability of Scrum and the basic Scrum principles.
This certification will make you understand the concept of the Agile practice.
Why PMP Certification is Relevant for Business Analysts
There is always a business need at the start of any project. These business needs can come in different forms and it is the duty of a business analyst to identify such needs, analyze the needs, and profound a possible solution.
Business analysts are proficient in analyzing business requirements, processing business models, and designing business solutions which are valuable skills that help the successful implementation of any project. This implies that business analysts are involved in the planning of projects just like a project manager.
