More than half the time, tech projects fail to deliver intended business results. Research says that nearly half of those failures are attributable to one factor: poor requirements management.

At the center of the requirements management process is the business analyst, a job that CNNMoney lists at number 38 in this year’s 100 Best Jobs in America, citing jobs with big growth, great pay and satisfying work.

“More and more companies are finding value in having one person, the business analyst, act as the central point of control and coordination between the business needs and its IT solutions,” says Scott Fabel, program director of the University of Delaware's Business Analysis Certificate. “While job titles vary, the business analyst's contribution is to facilitate communications among an organization’s stakeholders in order to find out what their needs are, and to turn those needs into measurable IT requirements and solutions.”

UD's Business Analysis Certificate program, with its focus on requirements gathering, analysis and management, is designed to provide the skills needed to effectively design business solutions and communicate those solutions within an organization. The upcoming spring program begins Feb. 9.

A corporate training consultant with Computer Aid Inc. (CAI) with over 20 years' training experience working with Fortune 1000 companies, Fabel cites several trends contributing to increased demand for business analysts.

One factor, says Fabel, is an increasing reliance on the use of agile methodologies across many businesses. “Agile is changing the way that businesses deliver solutions; however, agile can be a lot like the wild, wild west. There are very few rules, and projects are moving at a very fast pace. This is where the business analyst role is invaluable, by acting as the ‘glue’ across roles and processes.”

Another trend, says Fabel, is an increase in hybrid roles. “As organizations continue to eliminate silos between departments, roles and processes, a greater variety of team members will be serving in business analysis roles. Project managers and quality analysts are examples of roles which are increasingly combined with key business analyst functions.”

Because of this trend, the business analyst skill set is relevant for many business and technical professionals, in addition to those with a more direct connection to the business analysis role, like business analysis managers; IT, development, project or operations managers; business, technical or systems analysts; and requirements engineers.

Business analysts can pursue industry designations through the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA), such as the Certification of Competency in Business Analysis (CCBA) and Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP) certifications. The University of Delaware is approved by the IIBA as an Endorsed Education Provider (EEP).

The Business Analysis Certificate program is offered through UD’s Division of Professional and Continuing Studies. UD students and UD alumni are eligible for a discount when enrolling. Other discounts include a military/veterans discount, and a group discount when two or more individuals from one business or organization register for the program.

The class meets Thursday evenings from Feb. 9 to May 11 at Arsht Hall on the University of Delaware’s Wilmington Campus located at 2700 Pennsylvania Avenue, Wilmington. Students will complete the certificate program in approximately three months. There are no prerequisites to enroll in the program.

For more information about the Business Analysis Certificate, including a detailed curriculum description, visit the website, write to continuing-ed@udel.edu or call 302-831-7600.