EVALUATE

Business Analysis Self-Assessment Tool

This Self-Assessment consists of 30 questions in total that represent demonstrated performance of business analysis
competencies on the job. These are driven from the Business Analysis Competency Model v4.0 and Business Analysis
Standards of Practice and are broken into the six knowledge areas from the BABOK ® Guide v3. Each question consists
of five possible answers that are individually scored and weighted, e.g. a performance assessment point, based on a
minimum proficiency level rating scale, (e.g. 1-5 ).

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i. Complete all questions to self-assess your current abilities against the below business analysis
foundational competencies. This information can then be used to identify your performance gaps and plan
future professional development in each of the six Knowledge Areas.
1. Business Analysis Planning and Monitoring
2. Elicitation and Collaboration
3. Requirements Life Cycle Management
4. Strategy Analysis
5. Requirements Analysis and Design Definition
6. Solution Evaluation

ii. Review your score against the standard level performance ranges in the Performance Competencies Comparison
Chart (these represent the standard level of performance for each set of competencies by knowledge area).

The different ranges provide a snapshot of an individual’s performance

level using the business analysis competencies across knowledge areas.

iii.
Use this information to Create your Career Action Plan.
 Assessment Questionnaire
Select the statement that best describes your specific “on the job” experience
and the way you typically execute each business analysis task.

Business Analysis Planning and Monitoring SCORE 0

1. When performing “3.1 Plan Business Analysis Approach”, I often….

Complete this task for complex work and initiatives

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A.
B. Challenge how this is done today and introduce latest ways of completing this task
C. Adapt today’s practices and ensure the appropriate level of formality is being used for each situation
D. Plan the approach for less complex work
E. Understand the importance of this work; although, I may not complete this on my own

2. Establishing stakeholder relationships, “3.2 Plan Stakeholder Engagement”, I often...

A. Use an approved approach to complete the task
B. Plan a tailored approach based on unique stakeholder needs
C. Lead the task in a complex stakeholder environment
D. Understand the importance of this work; although, I may not complete this on my own
E. Leverage best practices and devise innovative ways to perform the task

3. Defining decision and approval processes, “3.3 Plan Business Analysis Governance”, I often...
A. Lead others in the completion of the work
B. Plan an approved approach to complete the work
C. Select an effective approach to complete the work
D. Think of diverse ways of doing the task and hare my findings with others
E. Understand the importance of this work although I may not complete this on my own

4. Performing “3.4 Plan Business Analysis Information Management”, I often...

A. Leverage an organization’s standard approach to complete the work
B. Understand the importance of this work; although, I may not complete this on my own
C. Help others develop effective approaches to complete this work
D. Complete the work using pre-determined instructions
E. Monitor industry trends and educate others about relevant tools and techniques

5. Engaged in “3.5 Identify Business Analysis Performance Improvements”, I often...

A. Understand the importance of this work; although, I may not complete this on my own
B. Adapt or recommend diverse ways to do this work
C Do the work for complex initiatives
D. Execute this task for small efforts
E. Look for non-conventional ways to complete the work and influence change in the organization
Elicitation and Collaboration SCORE 0

6. During “4.1 Prepare for Elicitation”, I tend to….

A. Have the basic knowledge to complete the work for less complex initiatives
B. Do this work for complex efforts
C. Understand the components of this work; although, I require support from others to complete the work
D. Select the techniques commonly used by the organization
E. Push for innovative solutions to complete this work

7. When executing, “4.2 Conduct Elicitation”, I tend to….

A. Lead others in the activities
B. Leverage organizational standards to complete the work

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C. Develop innovative approaches to complete the work
D. Complete the work using an approved standard
E. Understand the importance of doing this work, while receiving support from others to complete it

8. While performing, “4.3 Confirm Elicitation”, I tend to...

A. Synthesize information from disparate sources that is easy to understand
B. Challenge the way information is sourced and develop new methods to validate it
C. Use common criteria to validate information and base decisions e.g. business need,
risk, compliance, opportunities
D. Complete the work using guidelines from others
E. Understand the importance of doing this work, while receiving support from others to

9. Demonstrating “4.4 Communicate Business Analysis Information Management”, I tend to….

A. Use an approved approach to confirm stakeholder understandings
B. Use various techniques to negotiate and influence decision making with stakeholders
C. Complete this work for less complex efforts
D. Understand the importance of the work, but require guidance from others to complete it
E. Keep the big picture in mind when driving communication strategies

10. Engaged in “4.5 Manage Stakeholder Collaboration”, I tend to….

A. Be a recognized authority on how to complete this work
B. Lead these efforts at all levels of the organization
C. Exercise a standard approach to collaborate among stakeholders
D. Independently do the work for less complex efforts
E. Understand what’s involved in the work, but require support from others
Requirements Life Cycle Management SCORE 0

11. When actively “5.1 Trace Requirements”, I’m ….

A. Aligning complex requirements to design options
B. Introducing new methodology to complete the work
C. Participating in the work with examples from others
D. Receiving help from others to complete this work
E. Using organizational tools to complete the work

12. While, “5.2 Maintain Requirements”, I’m….

A. Leveraging appropriate tools to synthesize complex data from disparate sources
B. Using organizational process assets to complete work

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C. Developing new systematic approaches to complete this work
D. Following examples from others to complete this work
E. Receiving help from others to complete this work

13. When performing, “5.3 Prioritize Requirements”, I’m...

A. Assembling diverse sources of feedback to drive decisions
B. Seen as an authority on how to complete this work
C. Able to guide stakeholders through the various challenges
D. Using established practices to do this work, while receiving help from others
E. Receiving help from others to complete this work

14. Involved in “5.4 Assess Requirement Changes”, I’ m ….

A. Using established change management practices to complete work
B. Guiding the work for complex efforts
C. Receiving help from others to complete this work
D. Completing the work with examples or support from others
E. Developing enterprise-level best practices to complete this work

15. During “5.5 Approve Requirements”, I’m….

A. Seen as an authority to complete work at the enterprise level
B. Leading the efforts for complex work and initiatives
C. Using commonly used techniques to complete the work
D. Following examples from others to complete the work
E. Receiving help from others to complete this work
Strategy Analysis SCORE 0

16. When doing “6.1 Analyze Current State”, I will….

A. Apply various research and analysis techniques that support
the business need and rationale for change
B. Complete the work following basic instructions from others
C. Complete the work with the support from others
D. Adopt business and industry knowledge to complete the work
E. Challenge how this work is done at the enterprise level and develop
innovate ways to complete this work

17. During, “6.2 Define Future State”, I will….

A. Leverage a structured approach to recommend solutions for complex problems

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B. Apply a general understanding of the organization’s structure and culture to complete the work
C. Create new organizational approaches and tactics to complete this work
D. Participate in the activities with some direction from others
E. Require help from others to complete this work

18. While performing, “6.3 Assess Risks”, I will...

A. Consider external and internal factors impacting industry trends
B. Lead this effort for complex work and provide guidance to others
C. Recommend an effective approach using organizational standards and practices
D. Complete some of this work for less complex efforts
E. Require support from others to complete some of the work

19. During “6.4 Define Change Strategy”, I will ….

A. Select an effective approach to assess gaps and impacts resulting from change
B. Develop effective strategies to address complex change
C. Do some of the work for less complex efforts
D. Require support from others to complete some of the work
E. Develop enterprise level strategies and best practices that I share with the community of practice
Requirements Analysis and Design Definition SCORE 0

20. When “7.1 Specify and Model Requirements”, I often….

A. Perform many of the tasks with support from others
B. Lead the work using familiar organizational approaches
C. Understand the importance of doing this work, but require help to complete it
D. Complete this work using familiar techniques
E. Coach others and develop innovative approaches to complete this work

21. During, “7.2 Verify Requirements”, I often….

A. Complete this work for complex efforts and provide guidance to others
B. Use standard practice guidelines to complete this work
C. Review industry trends for best practices to complete this work

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D. Complete this work using examples from others
E. Understand the importance of this work, but require support to complete it

22. When, “7.3 Validate Requirements”, I often...

A. Lead this effort for complex efforts and I am recognized by peers as a SME
B. Lead the development of new methodologies to complete this work
C. Use an accepted organizational approach to complete this work
D. Do this work for less complex efforts
E. Understand the importance of this work, but require help to complete it

23. Performing “7.4 Define Requirements Architecture”, I often ….

A. Use a structured approach to identify and address gaps
B. Complete this work for complex requirements
C. Complete this work for less complex requirements
D. Understand the importance of this work, but need help to complete it
E. Develop new strategic approaches to complete this work

24. During “7.5 Define Design Options”, I often….

A. Share industry findings and best practices to complete this work
B. Do this work for complex efforts
C. Adopt an approved approach to complete this work
D. Do this work using examples from others
E. Understand how to do this work, but require help from others

25. Doing “7.6 Analyze Potential Value and Recommend Solutions”, I often….
A. Assess best practices and industry trends to complete this work
B. Use organizational standard practices to complete this work
C. Lead this work for complex efforts
D. Participate in some of the efforts with guidance from others
E. Understand how important this work is, but require help to complete it
Solution Evaluation SCORE 0

26. Involved “8.1 Measure Solution Performance”, I….

A. Take existing methods and apply them in unique ways to complete the work
B. Independently assess appropriate methods to complete this work
C. Use creative innovative ways to complete this work
D. Complete this work using criteria from others
E. Require support from others to complete this work

27. When executing, “8.2 Analyze Performance Measures”, I ….

A. Lead others in the completion of the work
B. Adopt standard business practices to complete the work
C. Share industry knowledge and skills with a community of practice

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D. Complete the work using guidelines from others
E. Rely on others to help me complete this work

28. While performing, “8.3 Assess Solution Limitations”, I...

A. Propose numerous alternatives to solve problems and enhance opportunities
B. Use standard business processes and approaches to complete this work
C. Drive new thinking and methodology to do this work
D. Do this for less complex work with help from others
E. Require help from others to complete this work

29. When “8.4 Assess Enterprise Limitations”, I….

A. Use standard processes to complete impact analysis
B. Lead and share insights with others to complete this work
C. Do some of this work with guidance and examples from others
D. Require help from others to do this work
E. Create and drive new approaches to do this work

30. When “8.5 Recommend Actions to Increase Solution Value”, I….

A. Do this for less complex efforts
B. Create innovative ways to assess possibilities and enhance organizational value
C. Complete this work using standard approaches for consensus
D. Lead and coach others in the completion of the work
E. Require help from others to do this work
Performance Competencies Comparison Chart

ENTERING
THOUGHT EXPERT SKILLED
BA
LEADER LEVEL LEVEL
PROFES-
LEVEL* PRACTITIONER PRACTITIONER
SION**
Business Analysis
Planning and 19 - 25 15 - 18 9 - 14 0-8
Monitoring

Elicitation and
Collaboration 18 - 25 16 - 17 11 - 15 0 - 10
Requirements
Lifecycle 20 - 25 13 - 19 8 - 12 0-7
Management

Strategy Analysis 16 - 20 12 - 15 6 - 11 0-5

Requirements
Analysis and 25 - 30 19 - 24 10 - 18 0-9
Design Definition

Solution
Evaluation 21 - 25 11 - 20 6 - 10 0-5

THOUGHT LEADER LEVEL

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Challenges the status quo to develop innovative solutions that help advance business analysis as a discipline, practice
or profession, and helps expand business analysis concepts and practices.

EXPERT LEVEL PRACTITIONER

• addresses any challenge or opportunity, regardless of level of complexity,
• finds a way to deliver business value for any change challenge,
• guides and mentor’s others in order to help them deliver better business outcomes,
• is sought after for expertise and guidance in addressing business challenges, and
• provides insight to situations that fall within (or outside of) the sphere of influence.

SKILLED LEVEL PRACTITIONER

Successfully completes straight-forward tasks and smaller, well-scoped challenges independently, and
identifies appropriate actions and modifies guidelines that have been provided to address a challenge.

ENTERING BA PROFESSION
• needs and follows rules and guidelines to perform tasks,
• adheres to prescribed ways to work in order to execute activities related to the competency, and
• recognizes the key elements of the competency and why they are important.
OR
• has a fundamental awareness and understanding of basic skills and knowledge involved in the competency.

* Equivalent to Strategist, **Equivalent to General Awareness or Practical Knowledge