ESI Survey Results Reveal Need for Business Analysis Training

26 April 2005

ESI International, the leading provider of business analysis and project management training , and Hewlett-Packard, a global technology solutions provider, held a live webinar on March 22, 2005, and conducted a survey examining business analysis functions within participants’ organisations. The survey results were surprising. The webinar, entitled "Managing Risk Using Business Analysis: Implementing Best Practices to Reduce Your Project Risk," was designed to help organisations more effectively manage risk through proven business analysis techniques. Nearly 1,500 of the 2,000 webinar attendees participated in the survey.

One of the many revelations found in the survey results was the diversity of the individuals performing business analysis within participating organizations. When asked who "performs the business analysis function in your organisation?" less than half of the participants reported that function falling under the responsibilities of a business analyst. Furthermore, more than one-fourth of the participants claimed that a project manager handles this role.

In addition, when asked to identify "the key challenges in translating user needs into systems specifications for mission-critical projects," 59% of participants reported poor requirements definition, 17% said poor scope control and 16% pointed to communication problems.

"These survey results illustrate two issues affecting risk in an organisation’s business analysis efforts," says John Elsey, President of ESI. "First, job functions are no longer as defined as they once were. Now, project managers are often being called upon to perform business analysis functions. Second, there is a clear need for business analysis training in today’s marketplace. As many companies have begun relying heavily on the outsourcing of key business functions, and as budgets have continued to tighten, business analysis has become an essential aspect of the project life cycle. Business analysis training gives professionals the skills and practices to define project scope, gather and document requirements, communicate those requirements effectively and, ultimately, verify that those requirements have been met."

ESI International offers a training program in business analysis that culminates in a Professional Certificate in Business Analysis from ESI and their academic partner, The George Washington University. Those who earn a Professional Certificate in Business Analysis will also receive the Certified Business Analyst credential awarded by ESI.