Business Analyst Apprenticeship Level 4

Standards to be met

The Apprenticeship standard sets out the essential Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours that somebody would need to demonstrate to be successful in this job role, this includes technology and industry trends across the digital sector. Apprentices will need to show they are competent in all the areas detailed in the standard when they take End Point Assessment.

The Knowledge areas of the apprenticeship will be covered through completion of our dedicated training courses which have been mapped to the standard. The Skills and Behaviours are developed through the practical experience gained in the job role, workplace training and mentoring, and the completion of 2 work-based projects.

Knowledge

• Understanding Business Analysis and Change keyboard_arrow_up keyboard_arrow_down

  Understanding what Business Analysis is, its value and the function of the Business Analyst including methodologies to approaching change.

• Stakeholder Management keyboard_arrow_up keyboard_arrow_down

  Understanding methods of communication and engagement with various stakeholders

• Project Delivery, Testing and Acceptance keyboard_arrow_up keyboard_arrow_down

  Understanding Agile and Waterfall project approaches. Different testing approaches and user acceptance.

• Requirements Gathering keyboard_arrow_up keyboard_arrow_down

  Understanding the process and techniques to elicit different requirements including functional and non-functional requirements.

• Business Processes keyboard_arrow_up keyboard_arrow_down

  Understanding Business Process Modelling.

• Gap Analysis, Investigation and Research keyboard_arrow_up keyboard_arrow_down

  Understanding different types of analysis, investigation and research.

• Data and Legislation keyboard_arrow_up keyboard_arrow_down

  Understanding the usage of data in making decisions and legislation that affects data usage for any business change project.

• Business Impact and Benefits keyboard_arrow_up keyboard_arrow_down

  Understanding the role of a Business Impact Assessment and what benefits can be realised from a business change.

Skills

• Requirements Engineering keyboard_arrow_up keyboard_arrow_down

  Elicit requirements from stakeholders to identify business and user needs. Document clear functional and non-functional requirements in line with local standards.

  Prioritise and validate requirements.

• Investigation Techniques keyboard_arrow_up keyboard_arrow_down

  Apply appropriate approaches to scope, plan and perform Business Analysis.

  Apply a range of structured investigation techniques to a business situation.

• Business Process Modelling keyboard_arrow_up keyboard_arrow_down

  Model business processes using relevant techniques, standards, notation and software tools. Analyse business process models to identify opportunities for improvement. Produce models of redesigned business processes.

• Data and Cost Modelling keyboard_arrow_up keyboard_arrow_down

  Elicit business data needs from relevant sources. Support the development of simple data models using relevant techniques, standards, notation and software tools. Support the development of cost/benefit analysis for proposed business changes organisation, technology and information

• Acceptance Testing keyboard_arrow_up keyboard_arrow_down

  Define acceptance criteria for business and system changes. Support business acceptance of business and system changes.

• Stakeholder Management keyboard_arrow_up keyboard_arrow_down

  Apply relevant techniques to research and identify stakeholders. Analyse and document stakeholders' areas of interest and influence.

• Communication and Presentation keyboard_arrow_up keyboard_arrow_down

  Present information and concepts in a manner appropriate to the audience. Produce an outline definition of a business situation using an appropriate technique.

  Communicate effectively in a variety of situations with a range of stakeholders.

• Gap and Impact Analysis keyboard_arrow_up keyboard_arrow_down

  Apply appropriate techniques to identify problems and opportunities within a business situation. Apply appropriate techniques to analyse and document options and recommendations for change.

• Managing Business Change keyboard_arrow_up keyboard_arrow_down

  Support the development of models of future state business situations. Identify key differences between current and future business situations. Identify actions required to move from the current to future business situation.

Behaviours

• Creative, logical and analytical problem solving keyboard_arrow_up keyboard_arrow_down

  Act logically, analytically and objectively in a range of situations including when problem solving.

• Communication, Relationships and Teamwork keyboard_arrow_up keyboard_arrow_down

  Build positive relationships, use a range of appropriate communication and work collaboratively. Be comfortable and confident interacting with people from technical and non-technical backgrounds. Tailor manner of presentation to be appropriate to the audience. Work flexibly and effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team throughout the full lifecycle.

• Organised and Productive keyboard_arrow_up keyboard_arrow_down

  Take a thorough and organised approach and plan analysis activities. Maintain a productive, professional and secure working environment.

• Initiative and Awareness keyboard_arrow_up keyboard_arrow_down

  Use own initiative and take responsibility appropriate to the role of Business Analyst. Aware of the wider business environment and own contribution to business objectives.

• Commitment keyboard_arrow_up keyboard_arrow_down

  Demonstrate commitment to continuous professional development in relation to Business Analysis and the digital sector.

Length of Apprenticeship

The End Point Assessment cannot be taken until the apprentice has been on programme for at least 12 months. The Apprenticeship will typically take 18 months in order for them to complete all of the training modules, be able to consistently work at or above the occupational standard, create a portfolio of evidence and complete the independent end point assessment.

Key milestones:

Training modules

Apprentices will need to complete all their training modules to cover the knowledge required in the apprenticeship standard and to be fully prepared for the end point assessments.

All modules consist of online self-paced learning and a live training component. These components are linked to work-based projects that the learner completes to support them in building competencies and their portfolio.

Training will be delivered through our flexible live online classes. The following training modules are completed by apprentices on this standard:

BCS International Diploma in Business Analysis

The International Diploma in Business Analysis is an industry recognised qualification accredited by the BCS, the chartered institute for IT. The Diploma has 4 modules:

1. BCS Practitioner Certificate in Business Analysis Practice

• The breadth of the role of a Business Analyst, the value of the role to organisations and the skills required to support successful business change
• Strategy analysis processes and techniques
• Investigation of business systems to uncover the problems and issues
• Stakeholder management techniques and the need for analysing perspectives
• Analysing and modelling business activities
• Recommendations for business improvements and gap analysis
• How to make a business case for changes

2. BCS Practitioner Certificate in Modelling Business Processes

• The role of business process modelling in supporting change
• Modelling core business processes at an organisational level
• Modelling business processes at the process level, showing all the elements from triggers to process end points
• Documenting and analysing tasks
• Evaluating and improving business processes

3. BCS Practitioner Certificate in Requirements Engineering

• The Requirements Engineering framework, rationale and its application
• The hierarchy of requirements
• Roles and responsibilities of stakeholders in Requirements Engineering
• Requirements elicitation, requirements modelling, requirements documentation, requirements analysis, requirements validation, requirements management

4. BCS Foundation Certificate in Organisational Behaviour

• Organisational principles including delivering value, structure, budgets, jobs, management and rules
• Operating models including structures and boundaries
• Organisational motivation, behaviour and culture
• Group formation, dynamics and networks
• Principles of financial reporting including balance sheet, income statement, cash flow, costing and pricing
• Project finance including costs and benefits, payback, discounted cash flow and internal rate of return

Kaplan Professional Awards Level 4 Award in New Technologies for Business

This qualification has been developed specifically for individuals who need to appreciate what new and emerging technologies can mean for businesses.

• Implications to their business of operating in a digital age
• Application of AI learning mechanisms and learning models to their businesses
• Application of data analytics to their businesses
• How digital marketing concepts could be applied to their business’ marketing strategy
• Application of blockchain technologies to their businesses
• Application of internet-based technologies to their businesses
• Application of cloud computing to their businesses

Agile Principles

This two-day immersive workshop will help you understand Agile principles and mindset and how this can be used for business transformation projects.

• You will develop a blueprint to becoming agile and using agile methodology for the projects you are part of.
• You will understand various philosophies including collaboration within teams, continuous improvement and frequent feedback.
• Whilst you will learn the history of agile, the manifesto and principles, the focus will be on experiencing this within teams and taking a practical understanding back to the workplace.

Business Analysis Consolidation Project

This two-day workshop will take you through a practical application of the Business Analysis lifecycle.

• You will be provided with a practical project structure and working in teams you will work on a business transformation/change project completing various activities this will involve.
• The consolidation project will help support you in preparing for your End Point Assessment and give you an opportunity to build your Business Analysis Skills in an immersive exercise getting real time feedback as you hone your skills.

Employers can optionally purchase the associated exams to enable their apprentice to gain the professional qualifications where applicable with these courses. Kaplan Digital can advise on how the exams are booked.

The BCS International Diploma in Business Analysis consists of 4 module exams (closed book, multiple-choice) and then an oral examination.

The Level 4 Award in New Technologies for Business is assessed by a multiple-choice exam.

Entry requirements

Apprentices on this standard must be in a full-time business analyst role where business analysis is the primary focus of their work activities.

Apprentices who have not achieved an A*-C GCSE (or equivalent) in Maths and English GCSE are required to gain Functional Skills Level 2 as part of this Apprenticeship.

Apprentices typically have one of the following:

• A Level 3 Apprenticeship
• 2 A Levels or International Baccalaureate or any other Level 3 qualification such as a BTEC Extended Diploma
• 12 months of work experience in the last 24 months if they do not have any other Level 3 qualifications

End point assessment

Every Apprenticeship includes an End Point Assessment (EPA), assessed by an independent End Point Assessment Organisation (EPAO). The apprentice will take their EPA at the end of their programme where they will demonstrate they are competent in the role that they have developed in.

This apprenticeship end point assessment will include:

1. Professional discussion with portfolio

This assessment will take the form of a professional discussion appropriately structured to draw out the best of the apprentice’s competence. It will involve questions that will focus on the knowledge, skills and behaviours mapped to this method of assessment.

A portfolio of evidence containing examples of work sufficient to show the apprentice can apply the knowledge, skills and behaviours mapped to the professional discussion is submitted. The portfolio is not directly assessed, it underpins the professional discussion.

2. Presentation of Project Report

This assessment method will take the form of a project with a subsequent presentation and questioning. It will involve completing an appropriate work-based project that will be real world activity under normal workplace supervision. The project will give the Business Analyst the opportunity to demonstrate the Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours mapped to the assessment method within their day to day work. The project will be all post-gateway work.

Progression

An apprentice’s journey doesn’t end when their apprenticeship has finished. This is just their first step to becoming a business change professional. The next steps could be to work towards more advanced Business Analysis qualifications, take up higher education studies at a university or start a level 6 technology apprenticeship.

Funding

This apprenticeship standard is currently funded at £18,000. Please note that this standard is currently under review as part of the statutory review of digital standards. Any changes required may need to be reflected in a revised funding band.

Exam fees are not included as they are outside the scope of the apprenticeship funding so must be paid for separately if the employer requires the qualifications. If you are a Levy payer this means that the maximum that can be withdrawn from your Levy fund for somebody on this apprenticeship is £18,000 (review pending).

For non or marginal Levy payers (where you have overspent your Levy fund), 95% of the cost of the apprenticeship will be funded by the government meaning you will only have to pay 5% of the agreed price. Please contact us for more information on the Levy and funding.