Secure Confidence in Your Business Analyst Skills


Register by April 18, 2023!

Are you stuck in a limiting role and feel that no one will give you the chance to prove yourself as a business analyst?

Or perhaps you are in a business analyst role without the benefit of formal experience, and the worry of looking like an imposter keeps you from tackling more challenging projects?

Do you feel that management doesn't give you the opportunity to truly fill a business analyst role, and are ready to do what it takes to earn their trust and respect?

Your Image

When you join The Business Analyst Blueprint® certification program, you’ll learn all 12 of the industry-standard techniques and the business analysis process framework – the best practices in business analysis.

Even if you aren't yet an "official" business analyst, you'll secure your internal confidence that you ARE a business analyst.

The program starts on July 20, 2023.

The Business Analyst Blueprint®
is an online and interactive
business analyst certification program

In The Business Analyst Blueprint® certification program:

  • You’ll learn and practice foundational skills that will serve you in any type of business analyst role you might take on, now or in the future.
  • You’ll also be exposed to work from participants in different industries and domains, which broadens your perspective and makes the idea of switching industries or companies in the future easier.
  • You’ll also leave with an instructor-reviewed full work portfolio you can use in job interviews and real-world experience that builds confidence.
  • Upon successful program completion, you'll earn the Applied Certification in Business Analysis™ (ACBA) which you can add to your resume and LinkedIn profile to showcase your competence in applying industry-standard business analysis techniques.

What’s more, it’s worth 60 PDs/CDUs so it supports your certification and re-certification needs for the ECBA™, CCBA®, or CBAP® from IIBA®.

In addition to on-demand instruction you can take with you anytime, anywhere, and templates you can use to get started right away, you’ll be able to ask your questions in our live webinar sessions (participation is optional and recordings will be available) and submit your sample work for instructor review and feedback.

(Participants and employers tend to love our learning model because you can fully participate while keeping up with your project commitments. In fact, your project work can actually become part of the course, so the training can deliver an immediate return to your organization.)

Your Image

"For the first time in two years as a BA, I feel that I'm in the driver's seat on completing the necessary BA analysis work leading to user stories. I can see that this will lead to the drafting of much higher quality user stories and reduce the amount of revision work."

– Dave Gallant

“Even though I had some major health and personal issues going on since the beginning of this course ....the engaging and well structured course content and your team's support kept me going and I made it to the 4th module and I am so happy that I made it this far and got the opportunity to broaden my skill set and get acquainted with so many genuinely brilliant people in the industry.”

– Fayral Sami

"I recommend this course very specifically because I couldn’t find anything else that walks you through actual skills and job training. If you’re looking for actual training on best practices, not just hacking away at it in your day job without knowing if you’re doing it right or wrong, this is a great course for you."

– Faraz Khan, ACBA, Salesforce Consultant

"I had a 13-year career as an underwriter. I needed work where I can think, analyze and then solve a problem. It matched with the business analyst. I'm using everything I learned in The Business Analyst Blueprint® in my new role as a Transformation Manager.

The course is a framework if you want to be a business analyst. It gives you the tools to use. You are not empty.

I invested in myself because I didn’t have employer support and it paid off."

– Zineb Iotti, ACBA, Zurich, Switzerland

"Even with my 20 plus years of experience doing business analysis work, this training has stepped up my game. I was able to nail an interview and use the right terminology with confidence. I don’t believe I could have done that without going through The Business Analyst Blueprint®."

– Tammy Schlador, ACBA, Senior SAP Business Analyst

“I felt that, personally, there was a 'gap', and I was looking for something that would bridge the gap and give me the assurance that all the personal self-directed learning that I had done and the knowledge that I had amassed, I just wanted confirmation that it was all industry best practice. I wanted a situation where an authoritative source could confirm to me that I knew what I knew and confirmed what I didn’t know."

– Annette Richards, Moved from Senior BA to BA Manager By Gaining Confidence in Her Skills

"I just wanted to reach out and let you know how much my time with Bridging the Gap means to me. I secured a dream job with a state agency as a Financial Analyst.

The only reason I had the confidence to leave my previous position and fulfill this dream was due to The Business Analyst Blueprint® program – that told me to believe in myself. I left my previous employment during the pandemic, took my 401k, and invested in the most defining journey of my lifetime. Thank you for being the confidence boost I needed to set myself in the right direction! I could not have done it without the nudge from Bridging the Gap!"

– Zachari Walker

"I quickly became the go-to person after The Blueprint. That was amazing. I’ve just flourished since then.

When the opportunity for the Applied Certification in Business Analysis™ (ACBA) came I’d had so much success and I said, okay, I’m just going to bite the bullet here and pay for this and do it.

The very first thing that happened after I finished my ACBA was I posted it on LinkedIn. My CIO sent me a message saying, “Superb. This is awesome.” I got immediate recognition from a place I did not expect it. The confidence just continued to grow."

– Andrea Wilson, ACBA, Business Analyst in Government

“The biggest change that has happened is that this course has enabled me to better correlate the ‘systems analysis’ work I performed 20 years ago to the ‘business analysis’ work I am seeking today.”

– Cathy Warren, ACBA, Health Ministry Program Director

With the Applied Certification in Business Analysis™ (ACBA), you'll have a visible credential certifying your work experience.

The Applied Certification in Business Analysis™ (ACBA) certifies that you’ve applied the foundational business analysis techniques and planning processes in an industry-standard way.

Upon successfully meeting the ACBA requirements, you'll receive:

Your Image
  • ACBA certification badge and documentation, along with a shareable PDF and certification ID, which you can use to update your resume and LinkedIn profile.
  • A listing in the public Registry of ACBA Recipients (optional), where employers can discover you, your geographic location, and areas of expertise and contact you for potential opportunities.

A few important notes about the ACBA:

  • There is no additional certification fee. There is no separate exam or additional fee to earn your ACBA. Once your workbooks for each of the 4 modules of The Business Analyst Blueprint® certification program pass instructor review, you'll earn your ACBA certification.
  • There are no recertification or renewal requirements. As an ACBA Recipient, your certification remains active as long as you comply with the terms and conditions of using the ACBA certification. There are no re-certification fees, coursework, or processes to worry about.

And, we also just want to highlight the value of being listed in the Registry of ACBA Recipients. We often receive questions from recruiters and hiring managers wanting to reach out to our course participants in specific locations and industries, and we’ve never had an easy way to accommodate this request. Now we’ll send them right to the ACBA registry to find out about YOU.

One question we've received is how the ACBA relates to the certifications from IIBA®. The Applied Certification in Business Analysis™ is unique because you earn it based on your application of the course materials in a real-world work setting. There is no exam and no prior work experience requirements.

The intention of the ACBA is to augment the opportunities for professional certification provided by IIBA® by providing a practical, real-world, experience-based credential that's open to new and mid-career professionals looking for more than an entry-level certificate.

And if you are already IIBA® certified, the ACBA can augment your credentials by showing that you have applied the business analysis techniques in an industry-standard way that's been vetted by expert instructors.

Here's what you'll discover in The Business Analyst Blueprint® certification program

We're sure you would like some specific details of what’s covered in this program so you know exactly what best practices you’ll be able to add to your resume and what work samples you’ll have to present as evidence of those skills.

Here’s a snapshot of the course material included with The Business Analyst Blueprint® certification program.

Module 1:

Business Process Analysis

Your Image

Start Date: Thursday, January 26, 2023

Workbook Due Date: Sunday, February 19, 2023

When you have a clear understanding of the business process, you will be able to clarify the business problem to be solved and ensure the technical solution delivers actual value to the business.

Business process analysis is often the first set of models we do when beginning to scope a new project or analyze a feature request or evaluate what the data is telling us about how to improve our organization.

You'll discover:

  • How to Create a Process Flow Diagram – Map out the high-level process and use clarifying techniques like swim lanes and decision points.
  • How to Engage Stakeholders and Discover the As-Is Business Process – Engage stakeholders from multiple departments even if they are reluctant to provide information.
  • How to Analyze the Business Process Details to Ensure Clarity – Learn how to create detailed, textual documentation that creates clarity, including details like business rules, exceptions, entry points, and end points.
  • How to Validate the Business Process – Learn how to discover gaps in understanding and create consensus from multiple stakeholder groups.
  • How to Improve a Business Process – Create actual, organizational change, even when you have technology constraints by exploring improvements and hidden opportunities with a positive ROI.

“The combination of having regular access to highly experienced BAs and detailed feedback on my workbook submissions allowed me to close the knowledge and skills gaps that were showing up in my day to day work as a new BA. I learned how to think like a BA instead of like a software developer.”

– David Gallant

“The first module sold me. The knowledge acquired in such a short period of time was incredible.”

– Louis Saint-Felix

"After reviewing/taking in your original suggestions and redoing the workbook, I had so much more confidence as well as the ability to “read” previous workflows created for other projects. There were many aha! moments.

I am happy to share a win – I will be creating the workflows and steps going forward for ALL our accounting and underwriting processes, bypassing the vendor's $40K cost. Additionally, the IT Director has requested to work directly with me on the project which is fantastic."

– Jeannie C., ACBA, Spring 2021 Participant

"I thought I was quite competent with workflow diagrams and process maps etc. but the information provided by the course has forced me to review this so-called competency - which is good and confirms that one's BA practical skills are already improving! : )

My main-take away was the additional practical skills that I now have which in-turn gives me confidence in my skills and abilities. My confidence in January was low but as a consequence of my participation on the The Business Analyst Blueprint® course, it is high and I am now optimistic about my chances of securing another BA role soon."

– Perry McGuire, (soon after finishing The Business Analyst Blueprint®, Perry received offers for 2 business analyst jobs)

"During The Business Analyst Blueprint®, I held a workshop with people in the organization so that we could collaboratively document the business process, and then improve it. As a result of this words spread in the different teams. Not even the teams that I, necessarily, worked in, but the teams that are containing the people who I helped the workshop with. People were saying, “Oh, this is really good. It’s really good.”

And what happened was that I contacted the program manager for the project off the bunch of project lists that were related, and he introduced me to another, to a project manager who was thrilled when she heard that I wanted to do business analysis. She was looking for someone to help her. As a result, my manager approved that part of my role would be business analysis going forward. So, it wouldn’t just be support analysis, which was great because that’s what I wanted."

– Roshni Dominic, From Support Analyst to Business Analyst at the British Red Cross

Module 2:

Use Cases and Wireframes

Your Image

Start Date: Friday, March 3, 2023

Workbook Due Date: Sunday, March 26, 2023

When you analyze your functional (software) requirements in use cases and visually model them in wireframes, you create the perfect combination to get your business stakeholders and technical implementers on the same page about the requirements more quickly.

You'll discover:

  • How to Write a Use Case – Describe exactly what the software needs to do.
  • How to Create a Wireframe – Create a simple wireframe, making it easier for stakeholders to visualize the requirements.
  • Use Cases and User Stories in Agile – Communicate functional requirements using a product backlog and user stories, which are common techniques in an agile software development environment.
  • How to Review and Validate Use Cases and Wireframes – Review and validate your use case with business and technical stakeholders to get everyone on the same page.
  • BONUS Lesson – Simulated Use Case Review Session – Listen in as a BA facilitates a use case review session, asks questions, and validates requirements.

"I wrote my first use case to help the business partners understand how we could use Salesforce's person account. I had business partners saying “I’ve never ever seen it done this way and this is fantastic."

– Jami Moore, ACBA, Sr. IT Business Analyst

"I am now able to write more detailed and meaningful requirements and get a better appreciated for use of wireframes as this technique was not often incorporated in my requirement documentation. Additionally the course provides certification that increases my marketability."

– Carol Wheatley, Product Development Officer

Module 3:

Data Modeling for Business Analysts

Your Image

Start Date: Friday, April 7, 2023

Workbook Due Date: Sunday, April 30, 2023

You’ll learn how to help business stakeholders make data requirements decisions on data migration and system integration projects, without getting too technical. You'll also earn more credibility with developers since you'll be able to talk their language (even when you don't know how to code or write SQL).

You'll gain confidence in the following data modeling techniques:

  • Glossary – How to clarify terminology to quickly learn new domains and expertly break down jargon.
  • Entity Relationship Diagram (ERD) – How to bring gaps between business concepts and technical database design using a simple visual format that really engages stakeholders.
  • Data Dictionary – How to organize and drill down into the detailed data requirements. You’ll also take away the essential concepts you’d glean from an introductory SQL class.
  • System Context Diagram – How to visualize the information flows between systems and clarify boundaries that speeds up the scoping and elicitation process.
  • Data Mapping – How to manage data flows in data migration and system integration projects, so the business users have the information they need to run their business effectively.

“I was invited to a meeting last week to review the ERDs for a project I'm working on. I was able to engage and ask questions I would not have been able to ask in previous weeks. It is so helpful to submit class work from my actual projects on the job."

– Adriana Collins

"I’m part way through a legacy ERP & SAAS e-commerce integration project and found myself knee deep in relational databases and trying to understand how these fit together with the business requirements . I talked thru my ERD with the DBA at work ... and we spoke the SAME language! It was awesome to get the recognition from a technical person."

– Joanne Thirlwall

"I have used some of these techniques (Data modeling, mapping for data migration) in my previous projects but I was not sure whether that work can be considered as BA work or not. This course has given me confidence about my skills and experience as BA. As well as it has helped me polish my BA skills.

During the course, I got opportunity to use some of these techniques in my current project like BPM, and Use Cases. The team was very much impressed by the documentation I had done and the outcome were much better than my previous brainstorming sessions.

I think I am a confident BA now, ready for CBAP certification!"

– Rachana Dharpure, Domain Analyst (Life Sciences and Health Care)

Module 4:

The BA Essentials Master Class

Your Image

Start Date: Friday, May 12, 2023

Workbook Due Date: Sunday, June 4, 2023

You’ll learn how to leverage the 8-step business analysis process framework to bring more professionalism and success to any business or technology change project.

You'll gain confidence in the following steps:

  • Get Oriented – Start actively contributing as quickly as possible.
  • Discover the Primary Business Objectives – Ensure the right business problem is solved.
  • Define Scope – Gain agreement from stakeholders on the scope of the project.
  • Formulate Your Business Analysis Plan – Identify the deliverables, stakeholders, and timelines for a comprehensive solution.
  • Define the Detailed Requirements – Establish an efficient and collaborative rhythm.
  • Support the Technical Implementation – Ensure the technical solution meets the actual business objectives.
  • Help the Business Implement the Solution – Support business stakeholders so that the solution ultimately delivers the intended result.
  • Assess the Value Created by the Solution – Assess the ROI of the solution.
  • BONUS: The Agile Business Analyst – Apply the BA process iteratively and effectively to collaborate with an agile software development team and increase efficiency.

“The program has boosted my confidence. The BA essentials is now like a Bible to me - I read it almost every day.”

– Stella Anyakora

"In the BA Essentials Master Class, I realized that I was skipping and/or skimping over first steps that keep a project on track and focused. By giving each step its required time and energy I expect my next project will flow smoother and the end users will feel more empowered in the process."

– Tammy Schlador, ACBA, Senior SAP Business Systems Analyst

"I was in the middle of a project and the course pointed out areas where I needed to concentrate, even backtrack a little, to keep everything cleanly moving forward.

It reminded me that I needed to ask "why" more often because the groups I work with try to push changes/projects through and I realized I wasn't always understanding why we were pursuing them."

– Laura Sanders, Business Process Analyst

How the online, instructor-supported program works

Multiple formats for your learning style, available anytime, anywhere

Your Image

You'll be able to complete The Business Analyst Blueprint® certification program without the hassle of travel or missing work.

You can work through the course material when and how it works for you. Materials are provided in multiple formats to suit different learning styles.

You'll receive:

  • Video (mp4) files and audio (mp3) files you can download to your computer or mp3 player.
  • Fully formatted full-text PDF transcripts to refer back to as you apply, reinforce, and evolve your learning, without relying on your notes.
  • Templates, samples, swipe files, quick reference guides, and worksheets so you can get started right away.

Real-world application
builds your confidence

Your Image

This is not a 3-5-day program where you leave full of information but no real guidance on how to actually apply at work what you learned.

This is an interactive, 5-month, online certification program where we are with you step by step as you expand your experience and face real-world challenges, and are at your side to help you work through them with confidence and increased success.

We make the best of the asynchronous, online learning environment to expand your learning and confidence.

Inside the program you'll:

  • Complete concrete step-by-step exercises to apply the techniques on your current project work and cement your learning. (Alternatives are provided if you aren’t working and have no formal business analyst experience.)
  • Ask the questions that come up as you create your own requirements deliverables.
  • Receive an expert instructor review on your workbook for each module of the program, with detailed written feedback to help you improve your work.

Expert instructor support every step of the way

Your Image

As a participant in The Business Analyst Blueprint® certification program, you’ll translate learning into experience with unprecedented, confidential access to our trusted, expert mentors for the full 5 months, so you have plenty of time to receive support on your real-world project situations.

  • First, you receive access to our expert instructors via email to ask any question about the course materials, at any time, or how to apply the techniques in your real-world project work.
  • In addition, we have multiple Instructor Hours calls at different days and times (to suit multiple time zones and work schedules) so you can call in and ask your questions in a group setting.
  • What's more, because this is an interactive session, you'll have the opportunity to join 10 bonus live webinar sessions (participation is optional and recordings will be available) throughout the program to get your questions answered personally.

And guidance is provided on your actual project work, not a fictitious case study, so you don’t have to do something ‘extra’ just to benefit from or complete the course. (And if you aren’t currently working as a business analyst, don’t worry, we provide plenty of scenarios for you to apply these techniques outside a formal BA role.)

"I think the biggest win for me professionally was this just really built my confidence. Before I would look at things differently or I would ask questions or I would just walk through how things worked with my stakeholders. And I was definitely doing that kind of haphazardly, not in a formalized or contextual, well thought out way, to pain the complete picture.

I would definitely say that the course has built my confidence, and I think it really has been a great stepping stool to step off in terms of, “I can do, I can be, I am a business analyst.” And after completing my first data model,  I have some street cred with the developer."

– Sara Rankin, Trainer/Business Analyst

"The reason I signed onto your program was to validate and affirm what I did or didn't know about being a Business Analyst. I was laid off from a lucrative BA consultant position, and the layoff lasted almost 6 months. In addition to the loss of job, I was told I was 'not technical' enough for their needs, 'we are turning to internal staff to meet our needs'.

I chose to use the lay-off and your program as a learning opportunity. when I completed the program I signed onto, I made copies of my work that your program required, took them to interviews, which resulted in a new Senior Business Analyst position I am currently employed (contracted) with. After I was hired I was reviewing documents for the new job, especially use case documents, and noticed how familiar they were! They were copies (the template) I used and presented in my portfolio during my interview for the job! The project manager liked them so much he presented them to the Data Architect to use.

To end my success story, I was able to validate and affirm, that the prior boss who implied that I wasn't technical was simply using that statement as an excuse to end my contract and not a valid fact of my capabilities or lack there of. I am using the skills I knew and the ones I learned from Bridging the Gap in my current job!"

– Kevin B., Senior Business Analyst

"I was looking for something practical, and I found that in The Business Analyst Blueprint®. I think the practical side of it is what I liked the most.

I was able to use my current project and apply it to our assignment in each module. Without The Blueprint, I think I would just be still at the surface level where I'm still wondering...I read about that already, but I just wanted to make sure I was doing it right."

– Munzolli Tower, ACBA, Senior Business Analyst

"Going through the course helped me to hit the ground running [in my new role as a CSI Analyst] and be more effective than I otherwise would have been. I felt like had a head start because I had the workbooks and I was able to use the projects that I was doing at work. It was like someone was holding my hand through the projects a bit."

– Emma Lander, ACBA

Program Schedule

Your Image

How you'll earn the Applied Certification in Business Analysis™ (ACBA) credential + 60 PDs/CDUs

*Important Program Details*

Successfully completing The Business Analyst Blueprint® certification program requires the following components:

1. Learn the key, foundational business analysis techniques and processes by leveraging our comprehensive online learning materials.

2. Apply what you learn to create real-world work samples. Work samples are submitted for instructor review as a completed workbook by the deadlines provided by the program.

3. Your workbook is reviewed by an instructor to confirm it meets industry and program standards. You will receive detailed feedback to help you improve your business analysis work.

In the event that the first workbook submission does not meet the certification requirements, you’ll have a second and final opportunity to submit a revised workbook.

You'll receive an individual certificate of completion for each module passed that you can use to immediately demonstrate your new skills.

4. Upon successfully passing all 4 modules, you’ll receive your ACBA certification badge and documentation which you can use to update your resume and LinkedIn profile.

(In the event that one or more workbooks does not meet the certification requirements or you miss a deadline, you'll be able to apply your work forward to a future session of The Business Analyst Blueprint® to earn your ACBA certification and receive a courtesy discount.)

5. Upon successfully earning your ACBA, you’ll also be listed in the public Registry of ACBA Recipients (optional), where employers can discover you, your geographic location, and areas of expertise, and contact you for potential opportunities.

You’ll also leave the program with work samples you can share with employers and validated business analyst work experience you can add to your resume and share with employers in job interviews. What's more, you'll earn 60 PDs/CDUs for certification or re-certification with the International Institute of Business Analysis™ (IIBA®).

Your Image
Your Image
Your Image

Bonus Webinars Amplify Your Success ($8,400+ value)

As a participant in this live, interactive program, you'll also receive exclusive access to bonus webinar sessions that accelerate your real-world application of the materials, solidify your BA mindset, and ensure your success.

  • Program Kick-Off Webinar with your instructor team. You'll leave with an action plan to ensure a successful program experience. ($500 value)
  • Choose Your Business Process – Live group coaching webinar ($300 value) to help you apply business process modeling techniques, regardless of your employment situation or job role.
  • Choose Your Use Case Scenario – Live group coaching webinar ($300 value) to help you apply functional requirements techniques, regardless of your employment situation or job role.
  • Choose Your Data Modeling Domain – Live group coaching webinar ($300 value) to help you apply data modeling techniques, regardless of your employment situation or job role.
  • Choose Your Business Analysis Project – Live group coaching webinar ($300 value) to help you choose your capstone project to plan, leveraging the 8-step business analysis process.
  • 4 Bonus Q&A Webinars – One for each module, to answer your questions and review participant work samples, so you know exactly how to avoid common mistakes and create a top-notch BA work product. ($1200 value)
  • Program Recap Webinar with your instructor team to acknowledge your accomplishments and ensure you leverage your course participation to elevate your career success. ($500 value)
  • Instructor Hour webinars (20+ sessions scheduled throughout the program at various days and times to meet multiple time zones and work schedules) so you can ask your specific questions and work through any challenges in completing the coursework. (Value: $5,000+)

"With The Business Analyst Blueprint® training program, I not only started to approach my work from a BA mindset, but I decided to change my email signature to show I was a Business Analyst. This changed the way I approached my role, my tasks for the project. I started asking more questions and looking for opportunities to make things more efficient.

Without this training program, I would probably still be doing QA, which is not bad, but I needed something more. That was an investment that I decided to take for myself. I don't regret it."

– Manuel Ninapaitan, Transitioned from Quality Assurance to ServiceNow Business Analyst

"Before I started The Blueprint, I had this strange fear of sending emails. If you are adding one additional person to an email, and if your information is not valuable, it seems like there is this paralyzing belief that you're not bringing value. That your email will take away somebody's time.

The change I experienced is that I am not going to be paralyzed by this thought. The Blueprint was just the exact technical skills I needed. The tools I learned with The Blueprint make me very confident in what I'm doing.

I paid for myself to join in February, and waited until the end of June to ask my employer to cover the investment. I had this confidence because I am learning such a valuable set of skills for my enterprise and they agreed they had seen the value in me."

– Kira Judge

"THANK YOU Laura!! Because of your training, I have just landed a Business Analyst Lead position for $90K a year. This would not have been possible without having gone through your training. Your course has given me the language and confidence to move SO MUCH FURTHER in my BA career. I owe it all to you!"

– Amelia McHenry, From Technical Writer to Lead Business Analyst

"I took the concepts of business analysis that I learned in The Business Analyst Blueprint® program and I looked at what I was doing on a day-to-day basis, and I started recording it and communicated my role better to my managers. This was what helped me to start moving into different roles. Through this, I received my first promotion to a Junior BA and then I was promoted again to Business Process Analyst!"

– Beverly Sudbury, ACBA

"Making the decision to invest in The Business Analyst Blueprint® certification program was difficult for me, but I am so glad I did. Now I have the proper training to be a business analyst with a recognized certification to validate my skills, and I landed my dream job as a Salesforce Consultant.”

– John Sim, ACBA

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you invoice my organization?

Bridging the Gap accepts purchase orders and can invoice you for your registrations. Email us at info@bridging-the-gap.com to pay by invoice or purchase order. Invoices can be paid by check, ACH, or wire transfer.

Please pay the invoice prior to the start of the course. Once payment is received, registration confirmation details will be sent to the course participant(s).

What is the timing of the live webinars?

Most webinars are on Tuesday afternoons, at 3 PM Eastern (New York) Time. Replays are available if you can’t attend live.

Our Program Kick-Off is on Thursday, January 26, 2023, at 3 PM Eastern.

What’s more, multiple Instructor Hours calls for group coaching will be scheduled during this live session, and those vary as to days and times. Many are in the evening Eastern Time, which provides an opportunity for our Australia and New Zealand participants to participate at a more convenient time.

You can also submit questions for a direct email response from one of our instructors, so there are many ways to receive instructor support during this program.

This isn't the right time. When is the next session scheduled?

After our Fall 2023 Session which starts on July 20, 2023, the next session will be our Spring 2024 Session, which will start in January 2024.

How much time should I expect to invest in the program?

The Business Analyst Blueprint® certification program is worth 60 professional credits, and that is about the amount of time you should expect to invest. Since the course is spaced out over 5 months, a time commitment of 3-5 hours/week will ensure you stay on track and complete the program. Although some participants who are newer to the material or who want to deepen their learning, choose to invest more time to get even more out of the program.

What’s more, as some of this time is creating various business analysis deliverables, the time you invest in the course may be part of the work you are doing anyway.

What if I have an upcoming vacation or extended leave?

There is some flexibility built into the program – you can go through the online course materials at any time and replays are available for all of the live sessions – this makes it possible to bring the course with you on the go and take advantage of the spaces you have in your schedule to complete the coursework.

However, there are also specific deadlines for completing your work for each module, and meeting these deadlines is an important part of successfully completing the course, staying on track, and getting the most value out of the program.

If you have any concerns, please contact us directly with your specific time constraints, and we’ll help you determine if there is a workaround plan for this particular session.

How do I receive the ACBA credential?

Earning the Applied Certification in Business Analysis™ requires that you create and submit real-world work samples by submitting a workbook for each module by the module deadline.

Your workbook will be assessed by an instructor to ensure it meets industry and program standards. In the event your first submission does not pass, you will have the opportunity to submit a second workbook for a second and final assessment.

Upon successfully passing all 4 modules, you’ll receive your certification badge and documentation which you can use to update your resume and LinkedIn profile.

If one or more of your workbooks do not meet the certification requirements (including the deadlines), you can apply the work you did complete successfully forward to a future session of The Business Analyst Blueprint® and receive a courtesy discount.

Detailed guidelines and expectations are provided in the course materials.

What are the professional credits?

PDs/CDUs are professional credits needed toward certification or re-certification requirements for IIBA® such as the CBAP®, CCBA®, and ECBA®.

What type of business analysis does this program address?

There are many variations of the business analyst role and many uses (and misuses) of the job title “Business Analyst.”

The Business Analyst Blueprint® certification program trains business analysts to be effective on business change projects that have a significant software component. You’ll learn how to analyze and improve a business process, support the improvement of that process through software enhancements, and model the data that needs to be managed in that software or through the business process or transferred/migrated between software systems. Finally, you'll learn to plan your project approach leveraging the 8-step business analysis process framework.

Will this course prepare me for an IIBA® certification?

Bridging the Gap is an Endorsed Education Provider™ with the International Institute of Business Analysis™ (IIBA®) and this program does qualify for professional credits (PDs/CDUs) needed for certification requirements. However, we do not offer any specific exam preparation or simulators.

Our training programs are consistent with the content covered in the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge (BABOK® Guide), but not a comprehensive overview of everything included in the exam.

However, many participants choose a skill-focused, practical training program like The Business Analyst Blueprint® certification program to earn the credits they need to apply for a professional, exam-based certification because they find this learning is more beneficial in cultivating their business analysis capabilities than a pure exam preparation course.

Also, by learning and applying the industry-standard business analysis techniques as you do in The Blueprint, your exam preparation tends to be easier, as you can draw from your experience as you absorb the information in the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge (BABOK® Guide) and prepare for your certification exam.

Do you provide a case study for me to use?

We do provide samples of each technique we teach so you can see what the end product should look like, but we do not provide a case study sample for you to work through. When you join The Business Analyst Blueprint® certification program, you create your own case study and apply the course materials in your real-world work, even if you aren’t formally in a business analyst position.

We intentionally structure the program this way because this is how we see participants achieve significant career transformations, often while they are in the course or soon after. This also means that you get to leverage our instructor support on your real-world project work for the full 5 months of the program and leave the program with instructor-reviewed work samples.

I’m a contractor or have confidentiality concerns, so I cannot use my active project work. How can I complete the course?

While we do provide guidance inside the programs on choosing a fictitious project to complete the course, you’ll receive the most benefit from the program when you use your active project work. What’s more, this means the work you do to complete the course is part of the work you are doing anyway. Many participants experience immediate wins when they use their active project work, as their current project work improves and gets noticed by managers, stakeholders, and clients.

Rest assured that all work submitted for individual instructor review is kept confidential between you and your instructor. And if you still have concerns, you can edit aspects of your documents to blur out any private information.

Is the certification program intended for business analysts who are just starting or also for more experienced business analysts?

We have had professionals without much exposure to business analysis benefit from The Business Analyst Blueprint® certification program, as well as more experienced business analyst professionals who are looking for practical training that helps them improve their skills.

Often, more senior professionals join The Business Analyst Blueprint® certification program as a stepping stone to their IIBA® certification goals, such as the CBAP® or to gain confidence in the work they've been doing intuitively, and ensure it meets industry standards.

I’d like to speak to someone before I join one of your programs. How can I do that?

We are a virtual organization with team members in multiple time zones and we offer customer and instructor support via email, online communication tools, and pre-scheduled webinar sessions.

We find the best way to communicate with customers prior to making a purchasing decision is using these same tools.

If you have a specific question about our training programs that is not answered on this page, please email us at info@bridging-the-gap.com and we’ll reply as soon as we possibly can.

I can't think of a real-world example. How will I complete the program?

Don't worry if you can't think of a real-world example now. We will provide lots of creative ideas inside the course materials.

What's more, at the beginning of each module we have an exclusive bonus workshop specifically to help you find an example to use for the module. And follow-up instructor support is available if you have more questions or want feedback on your ideas.

We've helped hundreds of participants in all kinds of career situations find examples. Opportunities to do business analysis really are everywhere, once you know where to look.

What if I don't pass a module or miss a deadline?

In the event that one or more of your workbooks does not meet the program and industry standards, or you are not able to meet the program deadlines, you will have the option to apply any modules you DO successfully complete forward to a future session of The Business Analyst Blueprint® certification program.

You will also receive an individual certificate of completion for any of the individual modules you successfully complete during the program.

What if I already completed 1 or more modules?

The successful completion of a module within the last 3 years (as of the program start date) can be applied towards your ACBA certification requirements for this session.

We can also provide a courtesy discount for each module you are applying. Please email us at info@bridging-the-gap.com to confirm your applicable requirements and discount.

What is the certification renewal process?

As an ACBA recipient, your certification remains active as long as you comply with the terms and conditions of using the ACBA certificaiton.

There are NO re-certification fees, coursework, or processes to worry about.

Is there an exam or extra fee to earn the certification?

There is no separate exam or additional fees to earn your ACBA. Once your workbooks for each of the 4 modules of The Business Analyst Blueprint® certification program pass instructor review, you'll earn your ACBA certification.

Can I pay in different installments or get an extended payment plan?

We offer a 5-month payment plan option available to help you spread out the cost over the 5-month duration of the program. Payments are processed automatically every 30 days. This is the only payment plan option we offer.

I have a question that isn't answered here.

Please be sure to check out our full, in-depth FAQ page here: https://www.bridging-the-gap.com/blueprint-faq/. If your question is still not covered, send us an email at info@bridging-the-gap.com and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

Here's a quick recap of everything you are about to receive

Your Image
Your Image

When you join The Business Analyst Blueprint® – the online, interactive business analysis certification program – you’ll apply industry-standard best practices to strengthen and formalize your skills as a business analyst.

You will have validated work experience in business analysis with the work samples and the Applied Certification in Business Analysis™ (ACBA) credential to back it up.

This allows you to self-declare you are a business analyst, even if your employer hasn’t yet given you the title. And you’ll have a credential to add to your LinkedIn profile and letters to your name!

In addition to the confidence you'll have, you’ll experience a sense of incredible accomplishment in earning this certification, because you will have worked through the assignments, received instructor feedback, and achieved a significant career milestone.

You won't just be on your way to creating more fulfilling work, you'll have started doing that work right here and right now.

We've packed a lot of value into this program, so let's take a quick look at everything you will receive when you sign up today.

Module 1: Business Process Analysis Learn how to solve the right problem and build the right solution.

Module 2: Use Cases and Wireframes Learn how to get everyone on the same page about software requirements, even if you don’t have detailed technical knowledge.

Module 3: Data ModelingLearn how to help business stakeholders make data requirements decisions, without getting too technical.

Module 4: The BA Essentials Master ClassLearn how to leverage the 8-step business analysis process framework to bring more professionalism and success to any business or technology change project.

Downloadable mp4 videos, mp3 audios, and fully formatted full-text PDF transcripts that you can use anytime, anywhere.

Templates, swipe files, exercises, and work samples so you apply your learning easily.

6 months of online access to the program materials on our learning platform. (You can also download them for future use.)

Instructor support via email, for continuous support between modules, for the entire 5-month program.

Individualized feedback on your work samples, so you leave the program feeling truly confident in your skills.

Certificates of completion for each module you pass, for a total of up to 60 PDs/CDUs for IIBA® certification or re-certification (provided requirements are met).

10 bonus webinars to accelerate your real-world application of the materials, solidify your BA mindset, and ensure your success. (Value: $3,000+)

Instructor Hour webinars – 20+ optional group sessions scheduled throughout the program at various days and times to meet multiple time zones and work schedules so you can ask your specific questions and work through any challenges in completing the coursework. (Value: $5,000+)

Applied Certification in Business Analysis™ (ACBA) credential, certification documentation and badge, and optional listing in our public Registry of ACBA Recipients (provided requirements are met).

Bonus Webinar: How to Get to the Next Level in Your Business Analyst Career (live, online, interactive workshop) – on April 20, 2023.

Template Bundle: Complimentary copy of our Bridging the Gap Template Bundle ($485 value).

Coaching Call: An optional 30-minute coaching session with Program Manager Paula Bell, ACBA, CBAP to map out your path through the program ($297 value).

Sign up below to join The Business Analyst Blueprint® certification program

This is an application-based program where you gain on-the-job business analysis experience with direct feedback on your actual BA project work, while also enabling you to earn your Applied Certification in Business Analysis™ (ACBA) - no extra fees or exam required.

The time and financial investment are significantly less than a typical academic program or certificate program.

And unlike an academic program, you'll leave with practical experience in a real-world setting – the type of practical, realistic approaches that employers are looking for.

You'll also have the opportunity to earn your Applied Certification in Business Analysis™ (ACBA) so you can gain recognition for your business analyst skills and on-the-job experience.

So go ahead and click the “Join Now” button below to join The Business Analyst Blueprint® certification program for a tuition of $4,997 USD. (Professional development funding/reimbursements may be available from your organization – be sure to check internally.)

Register by April 18, 2023!

Your Image

Payment Information

Contact

Billing Address

Payment Options

Coupon Code

[[coupon_message.text]] [[cart_coupon.text]]

Payment Methods

PayPal selected.

After submitting, you will be redirected to the PayPal website to fill out your payment information. You will be redirected back to our site once the payment is completed.

Order Summary

[[invoiceItem.description]]
[[subscriptionsByProductId[invoiceItem.product_id].plan_description]]
REMOVE
[[invoiceItem.quantity]] x [[invoiceItem.unit_price | currency]]
Subtotal:
[[checkoutContext.order.invoice.subtotal | currency]]
Tax:
[[checkoutContext.order.invoice.tax | currency]]
Shipping:
[[checkoutContext.order.invoice.shipping | currency]]
Discounts:
-[[checkoutContext.order.invoice.discount | currency]]
Total:
[[checkoutContext.order.invoice.total | currency]] (USD)