Top 5 Insights From the Global State of Business Analysis Report: Part 2

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and may not reflect the perspectives of IIBA.

We’ve revamped the format of the IIBA Global State of Business Analysis Report this year.

Now split into three distinct parts, the 2024 report explores key areas of the business analysis profession in a bite-sized, digestible way. It allows IIBA members to stay informed, adapt to market shifts, and refine their skills to champion better business outcomes.

Part 1 of the report was released at the start of the year. If you’d prefer the short version, we also summarized its top five insights back in January.  

Available exclusively to members, the newly released Part 2 explores certification, career satisfaction, job changes, career fulfillment, agile analysis, product ownership analysis, business data analytics, AI, and more.

Each year, IIBA sends a survey to the global business analysis community on the nature of their work. The ensuing report tracks demographic and business analysis practice maturity. This year, we collected responses from more than 4,400 professionals, representing 165 countries.

Now that Part 2 of the report is out, let’s look at five of the most eye-catching findings.  

1. Certification Pays…

It’s no secret that business analysis professionals with at least one certification earn more than their peers (8% more on average), in addition to having more confidence and fulfillment at work. Indeed, certification is about so much more than simply validating your skills. It also enhances your marketability, employability, and earning potential.

Among those we surveyed, holders of the Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP) and Certification of Capability in Business Analysis (CCBA) earned 19% and 9% more than their non-certified peers, respectively.


This also holds true for specialized certifications—10% for Agile Analysis Certification (IIBA-AAC) holders, 13% for Certification in Business Data Analytics (IIBA-CBDA) holders, 11% for Certificate in Product Ownership Analysis (IIBA-CPOA) holders, and a whopping 21% for Certificate in Cybersecurity Analysis (IIBA-CCA) holders.


Higher confidence at work and upskilling both ranked as the top two benefits of certification among respondents, with ability to find a job, salary increase, and greater fulfillment at work rounding out the top five.

2. …Almost Immediately

So, when does certification start paying off? Pretty much instantly, according to the data.

Among the practitioners we surveyed, 83% saw the benefits of certification within the first year, while 32% saw benefits in just one month—a 5% rise from the last report. This suggests that more employers are recognizing the value of certification in their organizations.

In turn, more practitioners are also recognizing its value. An overwhelming 95% of respondents would recommend certification to their colleagues to support career development, a 3% increase compared to both the 2021 and 2022 reports.

Who doesn’t love a good feedback loop?

3. Business Analysis in the House

One of the biggest movers from our 2022 report is the number of respondents (82%) who said the role of business analysis is formally acknowledged within their organizations. This is up more than 30%!

On top of that, it seems employers are also investing in the skill sets of their practitioners. According to respondents, 76% of employers allocate funds to facilitate ongoing skills enhancement—with 52% saying they always or usually do so.

This might explain why 36% of the business analysis professionals we surveyed have no plans to change their current jobs.  

4. Rise of the Machines

Artificial intelligence (AI) is top of mind for almost everyone these days, and business analysis professionals are no exception. In contrast to the naysayers, most practitioners fall squarely in the “optimistic” camp.

When asked what kind of impact AI will have on their careers, 63% of survey respondents were confident it would be positive. In case you were wondering, only 6% anticipated a negative effect (while 31% sat on the fence), so the future of AI in the workplace appears bright.  

This blog has written a lot about AI’s potential to streamline processes, enhance decision-making, and drive innovation in business analysis practices. And IIBA even incorporated AI into its KnowledgeHub, empowering business analysis professionals to be more efficient and productive.

Judging from these survey results, IIBA and business analysis professionals share the same understanding.

5. Agility Is Trending, Again

Among the practitioners we surveyed, 74% said they practise agile approaches in their current role. A further 76% said that agile methodologies are practised in their organizations.

With so much emphasis on agile these days, how do practitioners keep up? IIBA’s specialized Agile Analysis Certification (IIBA-AAC) addresses the rising demand for agile and analyst communities to collaborate and transform project delivery. It strengthens their competencies, promoting an agile perspective within a business analysis framework.

And it’s very popular. Of the respondents who practise agile, a whopping 89% also hold the IIBA-AAC certification. As mentioned, they also earn 10% more on average than their non-certified peers. Taken together, there’s no better endorsement for the power of agile certification among business analysis professionals.

But Wait…There’s More!

Watch for Part 3 in this series, as we delve further into essential aspects of the profession—including the pivotal role that business analysis plays within organizations.

IIBA’s Global State of Business Analysis Report is about you, the practising business analysis professional. It provides a broad view of topical information, insights, demographics, and trends that influence business analysis globally.

Each data point serves as a thread, contributing to the rich narrative of the profession. Use them to inform and challenge your thinking on a wide range of business analysis topics.

Access the full report findings of IIBA’s Global Research exclusively with IIBA membership. Members get access to essential tools and resources, including A Guide to the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge (BABOK Guide), Agile Extension to the BABOK Guide, IIBA’s KnowledgeHub, whitepapers, educational webinars, and more.

This is just a snapshot of the data we report on in Part 2 of the 2023 Global State of Business Analysis Report. If you’re a member, you can read the full report. Not a member? Explore the summary online edition or join IIBA today to access the full  report.

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