By: Scott Fabel

At its core, business analysis bridges the gap between a business and its technology and processes. As an increasing number of organizations are looking for ways to do business faster, better, and cheaper, they are turning to business analysts for help and the field is growing.

Through business analysis, organizations are able to find problems and opportunities. They then can develop solutions to the problems and discover ways to take advantage of the opportunities. This can be done through technology (either new technology or changes to the way current technology is used) or through changes to processes. A complete business analysis ensures that a company is working as efficiently and effectively as possible. But who has the time for that? The business analyst fills this role.

A business analyst acts, in many ways, as a translator between business needs and their solutions. They understand the business and its needs. They also understand the ways in which technology can help an organization. They are strong communicators who can bridge the understanding gap that can exist between an organization’s managers, professionals and operations teams and their technology services departments.  Business analysis is often a balancing act, yet, when done correctly, it can have a strong effect on an organization.

Because business analysis, as a profession, is steadily growing, the University of Delaware has partnered with Wilmington-based Computer Aid, Inc. (CAI), an IT outsourcing, integration, and consulting company, to offer the Business Analyst Certificate. CAI has over 25 years of experience performing business analysis for Fortune 1000 companies.

The Business Analyst Certificate is an evening, noncredit program designed for working adults. The certificate is aligned with the standards of the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA) and spans the skills that all business analysts need, from enterprise analysis to requirements elicitation and analysis, to solution assessment and validation. Upon completion of the program, participants are able to use their education hours to apply for the Certified Business Analysis Professional certification. More importantly, they are prepared to enter the field of business analysis and to help organizations find solutions to their business needs.

Scott Fabel is the program director for the UD Business Analyst Certificate. Scott is a corporate training consultant with Computer Aid, Inc.

A free information session for this and
other UD certificates will be held on
January 27, 2011,
6:00 p.m. at the Doubletree Hotel, 700 N. King Street, Wilmington.

Please register by calling 302-831-7600.