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BCS Practitioner Certificate in Business Analysis Practice
- Analyse business problems and recommend well-evidenced improvement solutions.
- Aspiring and practising Business Analysts gain structured, practical analytical skills.
- We reinforce learning through a hands-on simulated business analysis case study.
- Categories:
- Product Discovery and Design
- Level:
- Intermediate
- Code:
- BAP
- Exam:
- Yes - Included
Overview
Business Analysts are increasingly required to extend themselves beyond their traditional role of developing and maintaining IT systems. They need the capability to understand the business strategy, use proven techniques to analyse the business area, and identify changes to business processes needed to meet internal and external challenges.
This course develops the skills needed to work with senior business and IT staff to analyse and model business activities. Delegates will learn how to investigate business problems, and how to identify and recommend appropriate creative solutions. At the end of the course delegates may sit an examination to attain the BCS Business Systems Development Certificate in Business Analysis Practice.
Candidates with special examination requirements should consult the BCS web site (www.bcs.org) for their Special Needs policy. Please note that the BCS must be advised at least four weeks in advance of any special requirements.
Following your course you will be sent an email from BCS asking you to register for your exam. Once you have registered and your exam results become available then you will be able to log back into your account and view your results.
Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites for attending this course. This course is designed for anyone wishing to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to be a Business Analyst and/or acquire the BCS diploma in Business Analysis. Delegates wishing to acquire the skill set required for analysing and addressing business problems and wishing to attain the BCS Business Systems Development Certificate in Business Analysis Practice would benefit from attending this course.
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.
What's included
Select your preferred way to learn:
What is Virtual?
Live, instructor-led training delivered online
Interactive online sessions led by subject matter experts. Learners join live classes, take part in discussions, and complete practical exercises from any location, making it easy to fit collaborative learning into busy schedules.
If you prefer to connect to a course that is taking place in a physical classroom, you can choose our Remote Access option. .
Best for: Teams and individuals who want expert guidance, real-time collaboration, and flexible access.
What's included?
3 Days instructor led course
Exam included
6 month free access to QA learning platform
Free 6-Month Access: Learning Platform Discovery plan
Included FREE with every instructor‑led course
Get free guided access to the QA Learning Platform. Assess your skills, explore in-demand topics, and understand which areas to focus on.
Learn AI, Cloud, Data, and Leadership skills at your own pace.
Put skills into practice with hands-on Labs and Simulabs.
Validate knowledge and highlight gaps with skills assessments.
What is bespoke training?
Custom instructor-led training designed by QA to fit your needs
Tailored programmes built around your organisation’s goals, challenges, and skill levels. Delivered in the format that suits you to maximise relevance and impact.
Best for: Organisations and teams looking to target specific business priorities and capabilities with QA subject matter expertise.
Find out more about the course:
Learning outcomes
At the end of this course you will be able to:
- Describe the rationale for Business Analysis
- Use strategic analysis techniques to understand the strategic context
- Explain techniques to investigate an organisation's current situation
- Explain the importance of stakeholder management and use a stakeholder analysis technique
- Use techniques for the analysis and modelling of business systems
- Describe how recommendations for business improvement may be identified
- Describe the contents of a rigorous business case for the development and implementation of business changes
- Identify costs, benefits, impacts and risks for an option in a business case including investment appraisal
Course outline
Rationale: A lifecycle for business change; The role of the Business Analyst within the lifecycle for business change; Other roles within the lifecycle for business change; Purpose of analysing and modelling business systems; The framework business analysis activities
Understanding the strategic context: Internal environment analysis; External environment analysis; SWOT analysis; Critical Success Factors, Key Performance Indicators and Performance Targets; The Balanced Business Scorecard as a framework for identifying CSFs and KPIs
Understanding the situation/issues: Stakeholder identification; Overview of investigative techniques; Representing a holistic view of the business situation
Stakeholder analysis and management: Stakeholder analysis; Identifying different perspectives; Defining perspectives
Analysing and modelling business activities: Developing a conceptual business activity model from a perspective; Identifying business events; Analysing business rules; Building consensus by resolving conflicts
Identifying potential solutions: Gap analysis - comparing the ideal and existing systems; Defining a new business model; Identifying IS/IT requirements to support the new business model
Building the business case: Structure of a business case; Identifying options for business change; Identifying and categorising costs and benefits; Identifying and categorising risks, Identifying impacts; The lifecycle for the business case
Case Study: A case study allows the delegates to undertake a simulated business analysis assignment
Good to know
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What our customers are saying
“It’s been great to see significant improvements with how we manage resources including costs and in-house solutions from fundamental data skills training.”
Aravinth Pandian
Head of Business Intelligence, East London NHS Foundation Trust
“I love the labs at QA! The way they're integrated with video learning makes it a hands-on experience which is unrivaled to my knowledge. This makes it a delightful experience for those who learn by doing and like to get stuck in.”
Tom Walkinshaw
Analyst, JPMorgan Chase & Co.
Portfolio Director
Paddy Dhanda
Portfolio Director – Product Discovery, Design & Agile
Frequently asked questions
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How do QA’s virtual classroom courses work?
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How do QA’s online courses work?
QA online courses, also commonly known as distance learning courses or elearning courses, take the form of interactive software designed for individual learning, but you will also have access to full support from our subject-matter experts for the duration of your course. When you book a QA online learning course you will receive immediate access to it through our e-learning platform and you can start to learn straight away, from any compatible device. Access to the online learning platform is valid for one year from the booking date.
All courses are built around case studies and presented in an engaging format, which includes storytelling elements, video, audio and humour. Every case study is supported by sample documents and a collection of Knowledge Nuggets that provide more in-depth detail on the wider processes.
When will I receive my joining instructions?
Joining instructions for QA courses are sent two weeks prior to the course start date, or immediately if the booking is confirmed within this timeframe. For course bookings made via QA but delivered by a third-party supplier, joining instructions are sent to attendees prior to the training course, but timescales vary depending on each supplier’s terms. Read more FAQs.
When will I receive my certificate?
Certificates of Achievement are issued at the end the course, either as a hard copy or via email. Read more here.