Business Analysis Advice

[Reeseling]

Hi There

Do any of you know where i can study (Gauteng, part time)/ what i need to do to get into the Business Analyst side of things? All the courses i have found wants prior experience in the business field. Help, please?

 

[Mike Hoxbig]

Don't waste your time with these certs, rather do a degree. Most BA positions require one anyway.

 

[reactor_sa]

FTI does a diploma, requires previous work experience in the BA field due to the sheer work load. If you have experience in similar fields like mid level programming / database design you should manage.

 

[Reeseling]

Thanx for the speedy replies!

 

[iDOL]

Just rehashing a response I posted on another forum recently :

I enrolled and completed the FTI diploma. It set my company back R30k ( I enrolled and was ready to pay for myself - as I identified it as a means of advancing myself and my career aspirations, when they offered to take on the cost).
You need to be actively working on a project as a BA to actually complete the Diploma(as some of the deliverables will require you to complete a Business Case and Functional Specification Document), otherwise you can opt for the certificate program and then at a later stage upgrade to the diploma when you are in the role, alternatively you can opt for your own "project".

I agree with most of the peeps - that have already stated that this is no replacement for a degree, however you need to balance it with your career aspirations and time frames in which you would like to achieve them.

A degree full-time or part-time will still take time- a minimum of 3-4 years. Should you wish to gain entry into the BA space within the 12-24 months - there is no easier way then via the FTI Diploma. For most(not stating all) corporates out there - it is regarded as the "de facto" qualification for local BA's to possess.

FNB, Standard Bank, ABSA, Nedbank, Liberty, Sasol, Eskom, Discovery, Alexander Forbes and so many others in the financial services field send their staff on this course.

It definitely serves as a way to get you into the door, to speak to companies about their positions that they have on offer. My experience and exposure in terms of my projects have been great(I am not discounting it), but it seems after I added that all the recruiters and companies seemed to become a whole lot more interested.

I am scheduled for another assessment test prior to a new prospective company making an offer - that would make it company number 3 in a space of 13 months - following my 8+ years at one company (where I was paid below the average BA salary). I am now in a position to finally catch up to the rest of my BA peers in terms of what I would regard market related salary. I also have a larger choice of projects to work on.

So for me it has served as a gateway to opportunities. I am studying for a formal degree now as a means of cementing my opportunities for developments later in my life and career.

Incidentally I did get the placement mentioned in my posted quote.

 

[xrapidx]

Out of interest, how do you rate the course itself? I've only had the unfortunate displeasure of bumping heads with BAs who think they're god. (Or that they can do my job)

 

[midnightcaller]

I know quiet a few people that have been thru FTI.
They enjoyed the course and had positive feedback/comment.

Doing the BA course also opened new doors for them.

 

[reactor_sa]

The course assignments were intense, very little time to do lots of solid work. For me anyway, because the project I did was not one of the projects I was doing at work (BA not being a primary responsibility).
I enjoyed meeting people from other, mostly finance, institutions.
The instructors were awesome, especially Alex and Nadine!