Business Analysis Foundation Programme

This national certificate programme is primarily for IT or commerce graduates who aim to become business analysts. The Financial Training Institute (FTI) business analysis programme creates a career entry point into business analysis and business systems support environments such as systems development, business intelligence, process management and test analysis. It is accredited by the MICTSETA as an NQF level 5 qualification with business analysis certification on completion. 

The qualification introduces you to the most important business analysis tools and techniques. It also provides generic business and interpersonal skills required for the workplace, such as communication, relationship building, problem solving, critical thinking and managing yourself more effectively.

Entry requirements

• A qualification with a business or computing major, or at least one year’s work experience in a business-related role
• Strong computer and internet literacy skills (NQF level 4)
• Good verbal and written communication skills (NQF level 4)
• Excellent thinking and analytical skills
• Access to a workplace or simulated workplace to complete certain assignment requirements and some workplace experiential learning
• Access to a computer, software and the internet for course assignments

Delivery method & assessment

• Training sessions are delivered live in a virtual classroom, and include lectures and group discussions
• Self-study includes reading and test preparation
• Submissions include regular exercises and assignments
• Practical component includes observation in the workplace or simulated workplace
• Award of the national certificate requires a portfolio of evidence that is judged to be competent

All of the topics listed in the detailed content section are covered, with a focus on developing the practical skills required to apply them in the workplace.

Detailed content

Personal productivity:

• Communication techniques
• Client relationships
• Time management
• Ethics & professionalism

Interacting in a business environment:

• Understanding the business environment
• Business strategy and the role of IT
• Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC) models
• Generic business process and value chain models

Business case techniques:

• Innovative problem-solving techniques
• Information gathering techniques
• Eliciting user requirements for systems development
• Requirements definition
• Project scoping
• Feasibility and risk analyses
• Implementation planning

Functional specification techniques:

• Requirements specification document
• Use case modelling to provide inventory and detailed narratives of user requirements
• ER diagrams to represent information models
• Basic principles of good interface design
• Wireframes and simple screen designs
• Specifying output requirements
• Decision trees and tables to document business rules
• Requirements, design and specifications validation 
• Creating effective test cases