Advanced Diploma in Business Analysis
Business, Commerce and Management Studies - Generic Management
Purpose and Rationale
Advanced Diploma in Business Analysis
Purpose:
The purpose of the Advanced Diploma in Business Analysis is to assist aspiring learners to develop a broad understanding of business information systems and business strategy to practically conduct business analysis processes. Furthermore, this qualification will address the national human resources scarce skill towards progressive competent analysis in the economy. This is to further assist the learner with Information Technology, managerial and business administrative tasks and operations. Therefore, the purpose of this qualification is to provide learners with a holistic and robust understanding of the field of business analysis. Learners will acquire a well-rounded understanding of information systems, structures, information flow, business processes and business strategy in the key fields of business analysis. The qualification will enable learners to apply strategic, critical thinking, analytical approaches to support business with an informed evidence-based recommendation that improves not only individual companies but the entire economy.
Upon completion of the qualification, qualifying learners will be able to:
- Develop an understanding of business strategy and its impact on the business environment.
- Demonstrate integrated knowledge of business information systems.
- Evaluate systems support function by critically identifying and assessing problems and opportunities for improving information systems support to business strategy.
- Critically evaluate stakeholder interests in the business information systems.
- Identify, evaluate, and interpret critical linkages, and relationships between business information systems and strategy.
- Assess and model information flow structure between business information systems and strategy.
- Apply problem-solving, critical thinking, and analytical techniques to plan and identify the structure for documenting a business case.
- Analyse information systems, support business strategy, and apply to organisations that need a competent and knowledgeable employee to assist with analysis.
Rationale:
- Business analysis combines Information Technology (IT) and business skills, requiring a blend of both to execute deliverables effectively.
- Mathematics and Science subjects are considered prerequisites for specialized IT and analytics qualifications.
- The qualification meets international standards and aligns with international comparisons in module outcomes.
- The Business Analyst role is crucial for eliciting, analyzing, communicating, and validating requirements within organizations.
- The qualification addresses a critical skills gap in South Africa, aiming to train local experts in business analysis.
- The qualification is designed to empower learners to navigate the economic environment and changing world of work confidently.
- South Africa requires expert skills in Business Analysis to enhance productivity and efficiency across sectors.
The Advanced Diploma in Business Analysis serves as a strategic initiative to bridge the skills gap in business analysis in South Africa and empower learners with the necessary competencies to thrive in the field.
Outcomes
- Develop a comprehensive understanding of business strategy and its impact on the business environment.
- Demonstrate integrated knowledge of business information systems.
- Evaluate systems support function to business strategy by critically identifying and assessing problems and opportunities for improving information systems support to business strategy.
- Critically evaluate stakeholder interests in the business information systems to achieve sustainable business practices.
- Identify, evaluate, and interpret critical linkages and relationships between business information systems and strategy.
- Assess and model information flow structure between business information systems and strategy.
- Apply problem-solving, critical thinking, and analytical techniques to plan and identify the structure for documenting a business case.
Assessment Criteria
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
- Examine boundaries and scope of the business in relation to the strategy to effectively communicate the functioning of the business.
- Explore the business environment to analyze the impact of strategic context and constraints, and align strategy requirements with the business environment.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
- Evaluate business information systems across different business functions to determine each function's contribution to the business strategy.
- Identify and assess systems development life cycle phases in relation to business aspects such as operations, structures, industry type, value chain, processes, and regulatory requirements to define critical system requirements.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
- Apply SWOT analysis to classify and prioritize problems and opportunities related to systems supporting business strategy.
- Analyze possibilities for system support improvement by examining the impact of problems and opportunities on a business scenario and evaluating the alignment between existing information systems support and business strategy.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
- Identify stakeholders and determine their roles and relationships with business information systems within the strategy.
- Analyze stakeholders' interests to advise on the impact of stakeholders on the strategy and business functional structure.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
- Identify and categorize linkages and relationships affecting the business strategy, highlighting potential problems or opportunities for realignment.
- Propose improvements and alternatives for beneficial linkages and relationships that do not align structurally with the strategy to enhance problem-solving and opportunity realization.
- Analyze the integration between the strategy and information systems to ensure operational appropriateness.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
- Assess the information flow structure within business functional areas to demonstrate effectiveness.
- Develop an information flow model illustrating the impact of functional areas on the business strategy to identify success factors.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:
- Determine information systems requirements and specifications, and create information flow models aligned with the strategy to formulate and document a comprehensive business case.
- Utilize problem-solving, critical thinking, and analytical techniques to generate effective reports within the business case documentation process.
Qualification Details
- Type
- Advanced Diploma
- NQF Level
- 07
- Min. Credits
- 120
- SAQA Source
- More Information
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This page includes information from the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) . Builtneat Pty Ltd trading as Study Start, has modified all or some of this information. SAQA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.