Business analysts are typically assigned the task of determining whether products and projects are strategically viable. The role involves collaboration, strategic planning, as well as top-tier communication skills. When it comes to hard skills, however, knowledge of Oracle or Hadoop and similar frameworks are often valued highly. This is especially so if the company you’re applying to works with tonnes of data and needs someone familiar with both software and the business side of business analysis.
That said, it is worth exploring whether a business analysis certification adds value to your resume or is just a waste of time and money. It is also worth evaluating whether all the business analysis certifications out there do what they claim to do or don’t add much to your CV.
If you’re not sure whether to take the leap or not on a business analysis certification, read on:
Popular Business Analysis Certifications
Most businesses prefer hiring people who have certifications covering Oracle and Hadoop, along with other data analysis techniques. The most preferred certifications in this field are the Certified Analytics Professional (CAP) and Certified Data Science (CDS)– they also happen to be the ones that are most consistently opted for by rookie business analysts.
Other than these two, there are other certifications with different focus areas. They include:
- ECBA (Entry Certificate in Business Analysis)
- CBATL (Certified Business Analysis Thought Leader)
- CBAP (Certified Business Analysis Professional)
- CCBA (Certification of Capability in Business Analysis)
The Benefits of Getting a Business Analysis Certification
- They’re given importance during recruitment processes: Business analysis certifications are especially helpful for professionals who have a bachelor’s degree but don’t intend to study further. Indeed, the majority of job postings for business analysis roles ask for a bachelor’s degree and a certification instead of a higher-level degree. This shows that employers are putting more emphasis on skills and industry-grade learning rather than advanced academic qualifications.
- They display niche expertise: Getting a business analysis certification often involves training for a niche software, skill or project approach within the larger business analysis umbrella. Companies today are on the lookout for professionals who can solve problems and work with specific software such as those put out by IBM, Azure, Amazon and Oracle cloud. Certifications in these domains indicate to companies that you’re proficient and have an industry-standard certificate to prove it.
- They keep you relevant: Certification may once have not been the norm, but companies are increasingly looking for certified professionals who have gone the extra mile to validate their skills. This is especially so during crises, where the large-scale changes and hordes of data can leave businesses stumped for insights and strategies. Certifications can be added on at every stage of your career to enhance your resume with every corporate rung you climb.
- They give you industry exposure: The best certification courses are the ones that are either vetted by industry leaders or have been created in collaboration with them. This industry exposure is invaluable when it comes to leaving your mark in such a competitive world; it displays that you’re well-versed in both theory and practice. It shows that you are capable of solving real-world problems and are aware of the industry dynamics to such an extent that you can hit the ground running in your new role.
The Final Verdict
The bottom line of this debate is that business analysis certifications hold a lot of value for professionals looking to jumpstart their career, switch roles or advance up the corporate ladder. Business analysis is a complex, ever-changing field so showing, through certifications, that you’re up to date and ready to work will do your job projects no end of good!
