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From analyst to Agilist - introducing the Agile Product Ownership and Agile Business Analysis course


Johannesburg, 26 Jan 2015

According to recent research (http://interview.businesschange.co.za/), only 6% of South African business analysts have been trained and certified in Scrum.

This is surprising considering the same group predicted an increased demand for Lean and Agile methods, in the next 12 months. What is even more surprising is that:

* 52% of respondents are working on hybrid projects (a combination of Agile and other software development methodologies)
* 40% are working on Agile projects

If this is an accurate representation of projects, then why have so few business analysts obtained a certification or pursued further education in Agile methods?

One possibility is that there are no industry certifications for the "Agile business analyst". While business analysis diplomas have come a long way over the past few years, Agile approaches are still taught as secondary to traditional Waterfall methodologies.

The International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA) is releasing a new version of the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge (BABOK) in April, which promises to place more focus on Agile tools and techniques. The reality is it will take some time for the new content to be incorporated into the CCBA and CBAP certification. The IIBA has also not indicated there will be an "Agile Business Analyst" certification any time soon.

In the Agile space, most certifications focus on the three Scrum roles of Scrum master, development team and product owner. While a business analyst might be a part of the "development team", they typically do not perform the same functions as a "developer". Few certified developer curricula focus on agile business analysis, as a greater focus tends to be placed on technical practices. Yet in many Agile transformations, all team members are put into the same bucket. This is an unfortunate mistake that often leads to business analysts being disillusioned about their role in an Agile team. The reality is business analysts do not work in the same way as testers or developers.

In our experience, we typically see business analysts supporting the role of the product owner. With this in mind, Agility@IQ has launched a course aimed at Agile product ownership and agile business analysis, where we build on the symbiotic relationship between the role of the product owner and Agile business analyst.

We originally launched the course in October 2014 and have now included feedback from our first delegates. We have introduced additional techniques recommended by the Agile Extension to the BABOK, as well as some new tools and techniques that will be included as part of the BABOK V3. Our aim is to build on the existing skills of business analysts and product owners to help them perform effectively in an Agile environment.

The Agile Product Ownership and Agile Business Analysis course runs for three days from 10 to 12 March at R6 950 excluding VAT per delegate. Future courses will be charged at R8 950 excluding VAT for three days, or delegates can attend the first two days (focusing on Product Ownership) at R6 950.

For more information contact agility@iqbusiness.net or visit agility.iqbusiness.net.

Editorial contacts

Karen Elstob
IQ Business
kelstob@iqbusiness.net