What is PMI-PBA Certification?

PMI-PBA Certification

The PMI-PBA is a professional certification designated for project managers and business analysts with at least 7500 hours of business analysis experience during the last 8 years. The PMI-PBA Certification has a high level of professional credibility as it recognizes individual experience in business analysis, also the tools and techniques used to improve the success of projects. This certification helps you to advance your career. PMI-PBA certification holders must maintain 60 PDUs accredited by PMI. 

The Project Management Institute (PMI) is a global nonprofit professional organization for project management. Its services include the development of standards, research, education, publication, networking-opportunities in local chapters, hosting conferences and training seminars, and providing accreditation in project management. PMI offers various certifications for your professional growth.

Who can apply for PMI-PBA Certification?

If you’re employed with project teams and manage requirements or development, or if you’re a project or program manager, who performs business analysis in your role, then the PMI-PBA certification is the right choice for you.

 Eligibility for Applying PMI-PBA Certification

You must meet certain requirements to attend the PMI-PBA certification examination such as:

• If you have a HS Diploma, Associate’s Degree or Global Equivalent,  you need minimum 7500 hours of Business Analysis experience and 2,000 hours of project team experience within the past 8 years with 35 hours of Business Analysis education.
• If you have a Bachelor’s Degree or Global Equivalent, you need a minimum of 4500 hours of Business Analysis experience and 2,000 hours of project team experience within the past 8 years with 35 hours of Business Analysis education.
• If you have a PMP or PGMP certifications, it is not necessary to show project team hours.

How to prepare for PMI-PBA?

If you are planning to sit for a PMI-PBA examination, there are certain steps you should adhere to help you achieve success.

Get the PMI-PBA handbooks

The handbook gives you the details of the exam process and procedures. It also explains on how to apply (online application), how to make payment and the exam blueprint etc, which we have discussed below in detail.

Get PMI-PBA books

PMI-PBA examination book has different publication for examines to study. A list of reference material is provided that the examines can get and study. Get the required handbooks outlined for the examination. It will be beneficial that you get them on time as to start early preparation. Ensure that the book you are purchasing should include all the course outline provided.

Develop a study plan/schedule

Create a study plan by prioritizing the knowledge areas to focus. It should be compatible with other responsibilities that you are engaged to.  There is no definitive timeline for the preparation of PMI-PBA test. It could vary from person to person depending on their interest and knowledge level. Plan yourself for approximately 2-3 months of preparation if you are able to dedicate at least 4 hours per day for preparation activities. Make sure the goals you set are realistic. After you have drafted a study plan, go through each handbook and make a thorough review of its contents.

PMI-PBA Certification Training

Attend an online PMI-PBA training course, so you can enhance your knowledge specific to PMI-PBA exam and can revisit the videos for topics that you are less confident. 

Practice PMI PBA Mock Test: 

Practicing Mock test plays a vital role in passing your PMI-PBA certification exam. This would help you to test your knowledge and how far you have gone in reading and studying the PMI-PBA books. This would also aid to prepare you on what to meet during the examination. 

When it comes to a certification exam preparation, PMI-PBA mock tests are highly important. Start attempting the PMI-PBA mock tests, after you have watched all the videos at least once and you have read your preparation book at least once. It would be good if you can score a minimum of 80% in three different mock tests.

Always bear in mind that the best PMI-PBA practice test simulators would ensure that you are on the right track in completing the PMI-PBA certification test. While attending mock tests you will be able to learn more concepts and also sharpen your skills from an exam stand point.

Benefits of PMI-PBA certification

• Increased career opportunities
• Professional growth
• Increase your pay scale
• You will get recognized by various organizations
• Growth in personal level

Areas to Focus for PMI-PBA Certification Exam

There are 40 knowledge areas you have to cover for the PMI-PBA certification exam.

1. Analytical tools and techniques
2. Backlog management
3. Business rules analysis and techniques
4. Change control tools and techniques
5. Collaboration tools and techniques
6. Communication skills, techniques, and tools
7. Conflict management and resolution tools and techniques
8. Contingency planning
9. Data analysis tools and techniques
10. Decision making tools and techniques
11. Development methodologies (agile, iterative, incremental, waterfall)
12. Documentation management tools and techniques
13. Elements of a requirements management plan
14. Elicitation tools and techniques
15. Estimating tools and techniques 
16. Facilitation tools and techniques
17. Interface analysis (prototyping/storyboarding)
18. Leadership principles and skills 
19. Lessons learned and retrospectives 
20. Measurement tools and techniques
21. Negotiation tools and techniques
22. Organization assessment
23. Planning tools and techniques
24. Political and cultural awareness
25. Prioritization tools and techniques
26. Problem solving and opportunity identification tools and techniques
27. Process analysis tools and techniques
28. Project methodologies and how they impact requirements and business analysis practices 
29. Quality management
30. Reporting tools and techniques
31. Requirements traceability tools and techniques
32. Requirement types
33. Root cause analysis
34. Scheduling tools and techniques 
35. Stakeholder analysis
36. Systems thinking
37. Validation tools and techniques
38. Valuation tools and techniques
39. Verification methods and techniques
40. Version control tools and techniques

PMI-PBA Application Process

Once you begin the application process, you have 90 days to finish it. It takes 5 business days for an electronic application to be reviewed. Individual paper applications take 10 business days and corporate paper applications take 20 business days. Scheduling your test is not possible till your application has been approved and charges are paid. If you are audited, you must present a higher level of detail related to your business analysis experience and you will have 90 days to respond. You may not be eligible for certification till your audit is complete. PMI reviews audit materials in 5-7 days. you have 1 year to attempt the test once your application has been approved and retaking the test 3 times during that year is possible.

PMI-PBA Certification Exam Blueprint

PMI-PBA exam comprises of 200 multiple choice questions, in which 175 questions are scorable questions and 25 pre-test questions which is unscorable. The topic covered in the exam and its weightage are as follows:

Domain	Percentage (%)
Needs Assessment	18%
Planning	22%
Analysis	35%
Traceability and Monitoring	15%
Evaluation	10%
Total	100%

PMI-PBA Salary

PMI Salary Survey Reveals That Project Management Professionals with the Certification Earn 45% More. The Annual Salary Survey conducted in 2015 showed that the average salary of 143 PMI-PBA-certified participants was approximately 6.1 Million and the average salary of 69 non-certified professionals was approximately 4.2 Million. This shows that f you pass this certification exam, you salary increase will be approximately 45% more.

Conclusion

You are guaranteed of a certification after passing the PMI-PBA exam. You will be referred to as or refer yourself as a PMI-PBA certificate holder as long as you have an active certification status. Therefore you are now authorized to use PMI-PBA designation in block letters after your name on business cards, personal letterhead or anywhere you deem necessary.

To learn more about Business Analysis , select from a list of online Business Analysis training courses available.