What Is The PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA)?

In the realm of Project Management, business analysis has emerged as a vital competency of paramount significance. Achieving certification as a Business Analysis (BA) expert can propel your career towards exciting new horizons, especially given the current surge in opportunities for BAs.

The field of Business Analysis is experiencing a rapid expansion, with a substantial increase in demand for skilled professionals. Notably, the U.S. Bureau of Labor predicts a significant 19% growth in Business Analyst jobs by 2022, indicating a consistent and promising trend for the future.

What Is The PMI-PBA Certification?

The growing prominence of requirements management has made business analysis an indispensable aspect of project management. Attaining certification as a business analyst (BA) alongside your role as a project manager can provide a fresh perspective on your career, especially as the demand for project managers with BA expertise continues to surge. If you’re unsure of where to begin your journey as a project manager, consider exploring PMP online training courses, which can serve as a springboard for your professional aspirations.

Inaccurate requirement gathering stands as one of the primary reasons for project failure. To address this challenge and meet the increasing demand for skilled BAs, organisations are seeking certified professionals. The integration of business analysis and requirements management with project management has further contributed to the rise in demand for BAs up until 2019. By becoming a certified PMI-PBA, you can effectively showcase your valuable skills in working with stakeholders to shape project requirements and define crucial deliverables. Embrace this opportunity to position yourself as the sought-after professional that organisations are actively seeking.

Who Needs a PMI-PBA Certification?

If you find yourself closely involved with project teams, handling product development, or managing requirements, the PMI-PBA certification is tailor-made for you. Additionally, project managers and programme managers who consider business analysis a crucial aspect of their job will greatly benefit from pursuing this certification. It serves as a highly recommended pathway to enhance your expertise and excel in your professional role.

What’s The Benefit of The PMI-BPA Certification?

The PMI-BPA certification provides a lot of benefits including:

• Skills and competencies to drive precise requirement details, adeptly select appropriate models, and pose insightful questions
• Proficiency in capturing comprehensive sets of requirements and accurately estimating business analysis activities.
• Demonstrated ability to track the status of each requirement and take full ownership.
• Skills in validating assumptions and transforming them into concrete requirements. Active participation in a reputable professional group.
• Acknowledgement of professional expertise by peers and management.
• Unlocks advanced career prospects as a recognised business analysis practitioner.
• Certification’s potential to enhance overall performance and expand market opportunities.
• The possibility of attaining a higher income by formal recognition as an experienced BA professional.

What Do You Need To Become BPA Certified?

Below is a simple breakdown of the essential steps to achieve your PBA certification:

Complete The Prerequisites

As per the PMI-PBA Handbook, there are three qualifying routes to obtain this certification:

• Route One:
  • Possess a secondary degree (high school diploma, associates degree, or global equivalent).
  • Accumulate 60 months of business analysis experience within the last eight years.
  • Complete 35 contact hours of education in business analysis.
• Route Two:
  • Hold a bachelors degree or higher (or global equivalent).
  • Acquire 36 months of business analysis experience within the last eight years.
  • Fulfill 35 contact hours of education in business analysis.
• Route Three:
  • Hold a bachelors or postgraduate degree from a GAC accredited programme (bachelors degree, masters degree, or global equivalent).
    • Accumulate 24 months of non-overlapping business analysis experience.
      • Complete 35 contact hours of formal education (GAC coursework may fulfil this requirement).

RMC offers PMI-PBA exam prep course options that fulfil the entire 35 contact hours required for eligibility.

PMI-PBA Exam

Once you have completed the prerequisites, you can proceed to submit your application to PMI online. They will carefully review your application, and upon approval, you will be required to pay a fee to schedule the certification exam.

When calculating the total cost for your business analyst certification, remember to factor in the exam fee:

• If you are a PMI member, the exam fee will be $405.
• If you are not a PMI member, the exam fee will be $555.

It’s important to note that if you don’t pass the exam on your first attempt, you have a one-year window to retake it up to three times. However, failing all three attempts will require you to wait for one year from the date of your last exam before trying again. Each time you retake the test, a fee will apply ($275 for PMI members or $375 for non-members), making it all the more crucial to give your best effort to pass on your initial attempt!

The PMI-PBA exam is conducted in a computer-based format and comprises 200 multiple-choice questions. Out of the 200 questions, 175 are scored to determine your final result, while the remaining 25 questions are pretest questions, which are not scored. These pretest questions are randomly interspersed throughout the exam and are used by PMI to gather statistical data regarding their validity.

Maintain Certification

After successfully passing the PBA exam, it’s time to celebrate your achievement! However, remember that to maintain this certification, you must ensure you acquire the required number of professional development units (PDUs).

To keep your PBA certification active, you will need to earn 60 PDUs specifically in the field of business analysis every three years. Stay committed to continuous professional growth and development to uphold the validity of your hard-earned certification.

How Does PMI-PBA Affect Salary?

Based on reports, obtaining the PMI-PBA certification can significantly enhance your earning potential. Professionals with this certification have experienced an average salary increase of 45%.

How Difficult is the PMI-BPA Exam?

The PMI-PBA exam is widely regarded as challenging, but PMI has provided ample resources to aid in exam preparation. While success is not guaranteed solely by preparation, a well-structured study strategy and access to the right resources can significantly improve your chances of passing with flying colours. Like any exam, dedication and consistency are key to excelling. Additionally, you can take advantage of the numerous free practice tests available on the internet to practice as much as you desire.

What Resources Are There For The PMI-BPA Exam?

PMI Official Website

When gearing up for the PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA) Certification exam, visiting the PMI official website is a crucial step. The website offers a wealth of information and essential resources to aid in exam preparation. You can access study guides, sample papers, whitepapers, documentation, FAQs, and more, all of which are invaluable assets for your exam readiness. Be sure to explore the official page to find all these vital materials and enhance your chances of success.

PMI Training and Online Courses

In addition to the resources available on the PMI official website, candidates have the option to enrol in PMI PBA Certification Online Training programmes and courses. PMI provides comprehensive training programmes for every exam, including the PMI-PBA Certification. These training programmes offer detailed information about the exam, covering aspects such as exam description, intended audience, delivery method, and duration. By opting for these training programmes, candidates can access structured and targeted learning experiences to enhance their exam preparation.

Paperback, Books and Guides

Moving on to the next step in the preparation guide, it is essential to utilise whitepapers, books, and study guides. You can refer to the following PMI-PBA books for valuable insights:

• “The PMI Guide to Business Analysis” Paperback by Project Management Institute.
• “Business Analysis for Practitioners: A Practice Guide” Paperback by Project Management Institute.
• “Achieve Business Analysis Certification: A Concise Guide to PMI-PBA, CBAP, and CPRE Exam Success” Pap/Psc Edition, by Klaus Nielsen.

These resources provide comprehensive knowledge and guidance to excel in the PMI-PBA certification exam.

PMI-PBA Practice Test

PMI PBA Practice Tests play a vital role in assuring candidates of their exam readiness. By taking practice tests, candidates can pinpoint their areas of weakness and focus on improving them. With numerous practice tests available on the internet, candidates have the flexibility to choose the ones that suit their preferences and needs. These valuable resources provide a realistic exam simulation, aiding candidates in gauging their level of preparation effectively.

CBAP vs PMI-PBA

The PMI-PBA certification proves highly valuable for Business Analysts working within Project Management teams, aiming to enhance their understanding of Project Management methodologies and techniques. It also benefits professionals seeking to specialise in agile methodologies or enter industries that demand strong Project Management expertise.

On the other hand, CBAP holds immense value for Business Analysts aiming to focus on a broader spectrum of Business Analysis, covering areas such as strategy, requirements management, and solution assessment. This certification is particularly well-suited for individuals aspiring to work in industries that highly prioritise robust business analysis skills, including finance, healthcare, and telecommunications.

Both certifications offer industry recognition, opening doors to career advancement and potentially higher salaries. Continuous professional development is required for both to maintain the certification, ensuring certified professionals stay updated with the latest industry trends and best practices.

Ultimately, the choice between PMI-PBA and CBAP depends on individual career aspirations and the specific skills and knowledge desired by the Business Analyst. It is advised to conduct thorough research into both certifications, carefully considering which one aligns best with personal career objectives before embarking on the certification journey. Making the right certification decision can unlock new opportunities and lead to long-term success as a skilled and sought-after Business Analyst.

Overview

The PMI-PBA certification presents a transformative opportunity for business analysts to elevate their careers and make a profound impact within their organisations. Throughout this blog post, we have delved into the significant advantages, prerequisites, and overall worth of achieving this esteemed credential.

By attaining the PMI-PBA certification, business analysts can demonstrate their mastery of industry best practices, vital tools, and techniques, empowering them to address intricate business complexities with assurance and effectiveness. Beyond merely validating their skills, this certification establishes them as reliable experts in the field, earning them respect and recognition from both peers and employers.

Now that you understand the purpose of the PMI-PBA certification, have a look at our guide to the PRINCE2 business management certification as well as the PMP certification.