You may have heard that the PMI PMP (Project Management Professional), certification is the highest-paid credential in the world. With salaries rising rapidly, how many people would not consider changing careers to project management?
PMI has launched a new certification this year that targets business analysts: the PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI–PBA). You may be one of the first to hold the PMP-PBA in the world, as the pilot phase of this project is now underway. Is this the right credential for you?
More information on Business Analysis
What is business analysis? And what does a business analyst do? PMI defines business analysis as the “evaluation of an organization’s needs, followed by the identification of and management of requirements to arrive at a solution.”
You don’t need to be a Business Analyst to be eligible for the PMI–PBA. However, it is necessary that you have sufficient professional experience. The PMI states that the certification was created to help staff understand the fine art and practice of business analysis. This involves evaluating an organization’s business needs and then quantifying and managing them.
Overview of PMI eligibility
RequirementOption1Option2Education levelHigh school diploma, associate degree or global equivalentBachelor of business analysis or global equivalent2,000 hours working with project teams in the past 8 consecutive years*Business analysis education (contact hour)25 hours during the pilot, 35 hours post-pilot**25 hours during the pilot, 35 hours after the pilot**35 hours post-pilot**
Certification Eligibility and the Process
You must follow these steps to become PMI-PBA. They are very similar to other PMI certifications.
Complete the application and submit it
Wait for the review of your application
Audited* to meet audit requirements
If your application is approved, you will be charged fees
Schedule exam
Pass exam
After three years, re-certify CCR
PMI audits are often random. If you’re audited you will need to provide more detail about your experience. Candidates have 90 days to meet the audit requirements. PMI reviews audit materials within 5 – 7 business days.
Pilot Phase PMI-PBA
Applications are now being accepted for the pilot phase of the certification. The pilot exam will be held through August 4. PMI states that it takes five days to review an electronic application. Candidates must submit their applications by July 28 to be eligible to take the pilot exam. Paper applications can take up to 2 weeks so you need to submit your application by July 14. That means you still have 4 weeks! These timelines assume that your application will not be audited. The good news is that the pilot exam will refund 20% to candidates who take it – which is important considering the cost of PMI’s preparation materials and exams.
The official exam outline can be used to prepare you for the PMI/PBA exam.
The exam covers five domains.
Needs Assessment – 18%
Planning – 22%
Analysis – 35%
Traceability and Monitoring – 15%
Evaluation – 10%
Each domain is broken down into topics and tasks, which are all included in the outline. We have spoken to PMI credential holders about the outline.