BCS International Diploma in Business Analysis: Exam Preparation Workshop

Attendees will receive guidance on how best to demonstrate competency in the application of their knowledge, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills in a BCS interview-based examination.

The BCS International Diploma in Business Analysis provides a professional qualification for business analysts. It is intended to provide assurance that an individual will be able to work successfully in the role of a business analyst.

The BCS examination allows candidates to demonstrate that they have the capabilities, knowledge, and skills to be an effective business analyst. Holders of the qualification will have had to demonstrate competency and knowledge up to level 5 in Bloom’s taxonomy. The qualification is intended to help you stand out from your peers by proving your dedication to your career and ongoing professional development.

Overview of Examination Approach

Collaborative Refresh of BCS syllabus Content

The Business Context

• Rationale for business analysis
• The holistic view of a business system
• Competencies of a business analyst
• Business environment analysis
• SWOT analysis
• Business performance measurement
• Business analysis within the lifecycle for business change

Business Analysis Techniques

• Investigating and documenting business situations
• Stakeholder analysis
• Modelling business activities
• Business events
• Business rules
• Gap Analysis 

Business Case Development

• Rationale for making a business case
• Contents of a business case
• Options
• The financial case
• Investment appraisal techniques
• Risk analysis
• Impact analysis
• Lifecycle for the business case
• Terms of Reference 

Requirements Definition

• Requirements engineering
• Requirements elicitation
• Requirements analysis
• Requirements validation 

Requirements Management And Documentation

• Requirements management
• Change control
• Version control
• Tools in requirements management
• Types of requirements
• Documenting requirements
• Requirements modelling

Practitioner Specialism

• Relevance of process modelling to the business analyst role and the organisation
• Relevance of process modelling to an organisation
• An approach to modelling business processes
• Rationale and relevance for modelling techniques
• Application of modelling techniques

Note: Candidates are not required to draw models during the exam, but are expected to convey understanding of how to use techniques relevant to a particular business situation.

Interview Practice and Feedback

The BCS require you to achieve four certificates before sitting the International Diploma exam. The certificates must include Business Analysis Practice, Requirements Engineering, 1 knowledge-based specialist subject, and 1 practitioner specialist subject. It is recommended that at least one of these certificates be achieved 12 months prior to the oral examination date. The BCS offers full flexibility in choosing the sequence with which you achieve these certificates. In general, Expleo Academy recommends that you attend the Foundation Certificate in Business Analysis after completion of the other three BCS certificates. We are happy to discuss your specific training needs to advise on your optimal learning pathway.

Expleo Academy offers training events to earn the following Certificates as a learning pathway to qualify for sitting the BCS Diploma exam:

• BCS Certificate in Business Analysis Practice
• BCS Certificate in Requirements Engineering
• BCS Certificate in Modelling Business Processes
• BCS Foundation Certificate in Business Analysis

Expleo Academy offer a variety of Learning Pathways to fulfil the needs of today’s T-Shaped Business Analysis profile. Once you have achieved the International Diploma in Business Analysis, we can further advise on how to address your emerging training needs in Business Analysis.  

Anyone ready to prepare for the BCS International Diploma in Business Analysis oral exam.