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Watermark Learning Blog

Discover insights, tips, and articles from industry experts on leadership, business analysis, and professional development.

a conversation with a certified iiba
Watermark Learning

I’m IIBA® Certified – Now What?

Welcome to the last blog in this IIBA® certification series. Again, MANY CONGRATULATIONS on your achievement. These exams are not “cake walks!” Take some time (but not too long) to bask in the sunshine of your accomplishment because before you know it, it’s time to “recertify!” What? MORE study? No, will not need to take

failing fast in a pandemic
Agile

Failing Fast in the Age of Pandemics

When I first heard the phrase “fail fast, fail often,” I was horrified. It was cited as a mantra by the early adopters of Agile methods. But I didn’t understand what it meant in those relatively early days of Agile. The expression conjured up missed deadlines, broken promises, and an undisciplined approach to software development.

iiba certification study plan
Watermark Learning

IIBA® Certifications: Foolproof Study Plan and Test-Taking Strategies

Welcome back! If you’ve been following this series, we first explored the value proposition and answered the “What’s in it for me?” question regarding certifications in general, identified the IIBA® certification that is right for you, walked through the application process, and introduced the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge® – specifically, some of the terminology.

how to speak business analysis
BA Training, BABOK® Guide, Business Analysis

How to “Speak BA”: A Peek Inside the BABOK®

One of the perhaps most frustrating aspects of studying for one of IIBA’s (International Institute of Business Analysis) core certification exams (ECBA™, CCBA®, CBAP®), is learning the lingo or terminology utilized within the practice framework. Remember, the BABOK® reflects an international framework created by BA thought leaders/professionals around the world so the terms are used

passing business analysis certification exam
BRMP, Business Analysis, CBAP, CCBA, ECBA, IIBA-AAC

What, Me Worried? Five Tips to Improve Study and Comprehension for Passing Business Analysis Certification Exams

Studying for and passing a certification exam is challenging and anxiety-producing. I admit to feeling stressed each time and spending numerous hours preparing for my exams. It helped me in all cases to memorize key aspects of the underlying Body of Knowledge, which exams like CBAP, PMP, or PMI-PBA are based on. Even in an

ecba vs ccba
BRMP, Business Analysis, CBAP, CCBA, ECBA, IIBA-AAC, Watermark Learning

ECBA™ vs. CCBA® vs. CBAP® vs. IIBA®-AAC: Which IIBA Certification is Right for You?

In this blog, we will be exploring the various certifications offered by IIBA (International Institute of Business Analysis). We will start by differentiating between the three designations that are considered the “core” business analysis certifications: ECBA™ (Entry Certificate in Business Analysis) CCBA® (Certificate of Capability in Business Analysis) CBAP® (Certified Business Analysis Professional) After outlining

what can a business analysis certification do
Business Analysis, Career Advancement, Certification, Watermark Learning

What Does a BA Certification REALLY Buy You?

Studying for any certification is a daunting task; actually, it is more like a project. Watermark Learning routinely advises that studying for the Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP®) exam after taking our 35-hour certification preparation class will take approximately 100 hours or more, depending upon how familiar you are with the Business Analysis Body of

a primer on working with executives
Agile, Business Analysis, Communicating, Project Management, Watermark Learning

A Primer On Working With Executives: Swim With The Sharks Without Getting Eaten Alive

Even though my wife Elizabeth Larson and I owned and ran a business, I wouldn’t exactly have used the term “executive” to describe us. But, we have both worked with several. And, in building and running Watermark Learning, we shared an important characteristic with executives which this series of articles will explore. Early in my career, I was