PMP vs CBAP
Should a PMP consider being a CBAP?
I am a PMP. Why should I get CBAP certified?
This is a question that arises in many professionals mind. CBAP has been in existence for more than a decade now. But PMI as an institution is much older and commands considerable respect in the project management world.
The good news is now the world recognizes the value of business analysis. A newer player will surely expand the market and demand for business analysis. PMI has finally come up with a new certification to satisfy the hunger of the project business analysis community. Of late, business analysis has been a very valuable skill to learn for the project management community as well due to the need for the PM to perform BA roles also.
The certification space for the BA community has been dominated by IIBA with its certifications, CCBA (basic level) and CBAP certification (Advanced level). PMI has recently come up with a BA certification, PMI-PBA for business analysts. And all of us are aware of the market share of PMI for its most popular certification for Project management stream viz PMP. This gives rise to the dilemma for the BA community on which certification to go for in the current scenario.
Here is a small comparison of PMI-PBA and IIBA Certification:
Rest of the points seems to be more or less similar, please see the exact apple to apple comparison below.
Educational QualificationIIBA CBAP:
PMI PBA:
Contact Hours
IIBA CBAP:
PMI PBA:
Eligibility/ Experience
IIBA CBAP:
PMI PBA:
Application Processing TimelineIIBA CBAP:
PMI PBA:
References
IIBA CBAP:
PMI PBA:
Certification Fees
IIBA CBAP:
PMI PBA:
Re-examination
IIBA CBAP:
PMI PBA:
Questions pattern
IIBA CBAP:
PMI PBA:
Renewal
IIBA CBAP:
PMI PBA:
CBAP Recommended -
Pure play BA/enterprise level BA and planning to stay in the same path
PMI PBA Recommended –
PMI-PBA is for business analysts who work on projects and programs and have project management experience in their career, whereas, in contrast, IIBA looks at Business Analysis in a much broader perspective and covers activities that exceed project and program and applies to the entire organizational involvement/initiative.
Sources of Information for this article - www.IIBA.org and www.PMI.org
Suggested readings on CBAP
How to prepare for CBAP certification - A step by step approach
Ann heads the global sales and marketing role at Adaptive US Inc. She is also a coach and mentor to thousands of BAs in their pursuit of achieving IIBA certifications. Her mission is to help business analysts to start and build a successful professional career. She is a regular author, blogger on various Business analysis, management, and technology-related topics in leading tech sites and journals.