The demand is growing rapidly for business analysis skills and related jobs not only nationally but also locally in Wisconsin.  The U.S. Department of Labor shows that jobs related to business analysis (management analysts) are projected to increase 14% nationally from 2018-2028 compared to the average growth rate of all occupations of 5%.[1]   The growth in Wisconsin is 13% for the same timeframe[2].

To enhance our Business Analyst Associate degree program and better meet the needs of this growing field, Moraine Park Technical College partnered with the International Institute of Business Analysis™ (IIBA^®) in summer 2020.   The IIBA academic affiliation allows Moraine Park to align all of our business analyst courses to globally recognized standards and seek endorsement for our curriculum. 

As the business analysis profession and practice continues to evolve, so do the needs of academic institutions around the globe to get their graduates job-ready and enter the workforce ready to meet tomorrow’s business challenges. IIBA is committed to the growth of the business analysis profession by supporting education providers. Through IIBA’s Academic Program, it endorses business analysis courses and programs for academic institutions of all sizes. An IIBA endorsed course:

1. Asserts alignment to A Guide to the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge^® (BABOK^® Guide), the internationally recognized body of knowledge for the practice of business analysis
2. Meets industry and internationally recognized standards and best practices in business analysis, ensuring learners develop the skills companies need most in 2021 and beyond
3. Allows students to apply the endorsed course hours towards the professional development requirements for the Entry Certificate in Business Analysis™ (ECBA™), designed specifically for students with no work experience

Moraine Park is pleased to announce that the following business analyst core courses were recently endorsed by IIBA:

• Business Analyst Essentials
• Business Analyst Planning and Monitoring
• Elicitation Techniques
• Requirements Life Cycle Management
• Requirements Analysis and Design
• Business Analyst Strategy Analysis
• Business Analyst Solution Evaluation

“I’m very excited to obtain IIBA endorsement for core courses within our BA program.  This endorsement sets us apart from other business analysis training or programs, ensuring that students are learning the essential knowledge, standards, and techniques in business analysis”, states Jo Ann Giese-Kent, Business Analyst Instructor.    

Bobbi Fields, Associate Dean of Business and IT, adds, “The IIBA is considered the premier professional organization committed to business analysis. Recognition by the IIBA acknowledges the quality of our academic program. Students are better positioned for professional certification, networking opportunities, and resources to grow their careers.”

The online Moraine Park business analyst program prepares students to decipher organization structure, policies, and operations. Graduates will be prepared to define problems, scope, and learn to gather business and stakeholder requirements or needs.  They will explore the use of a variety of best practice techniques, analytics, and relevant technologies to validate, analyze, and synthesize information to gain insights and connect the dots.  The Moraine Park Business Analyst training also includes strategy analysis and solution evaluation to assess performance and value.

If you’re ready to develop your business analysis skills and be part of a fast growing career, check out the following program overview video https://youtu.be/GALQJsV47Qg​ and connect with admissions today at https://www.morainepark.edu/admissions/new-student/how-to-apply-for-admissions/.

About IIBA

International Institute of Business Analysis™ (IIBA®) is the professional association dedicated to supporting business analysis professionals to deliver better business outcomes. IIBA connects almost 30,000 Members, over 100 Chapters, and more than 500 training, academic, and corporate partners around the world. As the global voice of the business analysis community, IIBA supports recognition of the profession, networking and community engagement, standards and resource development, and comprehensive certification programs. For more information visit iiba.org.

[1] https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/management-analysts.htm

[2] EMSI/QCEW & American Community Survey

Business analysis is becoming a fundamental skill in many technology and business careers, according to the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA).  As a result, the demand is growing quickly for business analysts and related positions.  The U.S. Department of Labor shows that jobs related to business analysis are projected to increase 14% nationally from 2018-2028 compared to the average growth rate of all occupations of 5%.[1]  According to a LinkedIn study, business analysis skills ranked #6 in the top in-demand hard skills companies are seeking in 2020.[2]  In Wisconsin, the Department of Workforce Development (DWD) also mentions that a management analyst type position is a hot job based on projected openings and wages to the year 2024.[3]

With all this growth, the number of jobs may outnumber qualified candidates.  To help close this gap, Moraine Park recently partnered with the International Institute of Business Analysis or IIBA to enrich the Business Analyst associate degree program.  Bobbi Fields, Associate Dean of Business and IT states, “As a member of the NEW IT Alliance and advisory committee leader for Business and IT career paths, I have the opportunity to connect with many industry professionals. Frequently, conversations emerge surrounding an industry demand for individuals with the skillset one would acquire through completion of the Business Analyst program.”

The Moraine Park Business Analyst program launched fall 2017 and has had steady growth in enrollments each year.  The new IIBA affiliation allows Moraine Park to align all of the business analyst core courses to the globally recognized standard, the BABOK Guide and be endorsed by IIBA.  IIBA also offers colleges’ access to other valuable curriculum materials, books and case studies for business analysis. By aligning the curriculum with IIBA standards, MPTC graduates will also be prepared to take the next step and obtain the Entry Certificate in Business Analysis (ECBA) credential.  Fields added, “Industry-recognized preparation provides graduates with a competitive advantage, while certification demonstrates competency and a commitment to the profession.”

Jo Ann Giese-Kent, Business Analyst Instructor, noted that “Employees who do business analysis primarily help identify business needs and solve problems to produce better business outcomes.  They help organizations add value to customers, suppliers, or end users of a process or system.  They are often known as the liaison or agent to enable change to occur.” 

The online MPTC business analyst program prepares students to decipher organization structure, policies, and operations. Graduates will be prepared to define problems, scope, and learn to gather business and stakeholder requirements or needs.  They will explore the use of a variety of best practice techniques, analytics, and relevant technologies to validate, analyze, and synthesize information to gain insights and connect the dots.  The Moraine Park Business Analyst training also includes strategy analysis and solution evaluation to assess performance and value.

If you’re ready to enhance your skills and be part of a fast growing career, apply now at morainepark.edu. 

Meet our business analyst (BA) instructor, Jo Ann Giese-Kent!

Jo Ann grew up in Campbellsport but now resides just outside of Fond du Lac with her husband Tim (a Moraine Park Alumnus), her teenage daughter, Ashlee, and her furry feline friends Pepper and Lilly. 

Prior to her current role, she worked as the VP of business intelligence and entrepreneurship for the Fond du Lac County Economic Development Corporation. During this time, she also served as an adjunct instructor, teaching small business classes for Moraine Park’s Economic and Workforce Development (EWD) department.

“I received my bachelor’s degree in business administration majoring in marketing in the early ’90s,” Jo Ann said. “When I interned as a market researcher at a paper company, I discovered I liked the analytical side of marketing.   Throughout my career, I have done all aspects of marketing but felt the most comfortable with analysis from analyzing customer segments’ behavior and needs to analyzing processes or other business needs and recommending solutions to deliver more value to customers or internal stakeholders.  I’ve done analysis type work in several industries including direct marketing (catalog business), banking, higher education, and economic development.”

Jo Ann worked in Moraine Park’s Institutional Research department from 2000-2009  and returned to Moraine Park in August of 2017 as the full-time BA instructor.

“I enjoy working with students and sharing my experiences,” Jo Ann said. “When I heard about the new BA program instructor position, I was very interested. I am grateful that I was offered the job! Instead of being behind-the-scenes researching and understanding our students, I now can have a direct impact on their learning and success.”

The number one reason why someone should consider a career as a business analyst is that they are in high demand across many industries. According to the US Bureau of Labor  Statistics, employers throughout the United States will need 861,400 management analysts (which includes the business analyst title) by 2024.  In Wisconsin, employers will need 13,151 by 2024.  That’s a growth of 14%, almost double compared to all occupations nationally.  As a plus, an experienced analyst can earn $71,230 as the median annual wage.

“Employees who do business analysis have many different titles and roles,” Jo Ann said. “Most have the business analyst title but could also have titles such as systems analyst, process analyst, database analyst, market research analyst, supply chain analyst, and many others. They primarily help identify business needs, solve problems to produce better business outcomes, and help organizations add value to customers, suppliers, or end users of a process, or system.  They are known as the liaison or agent to enable that change to occur.”

The online BA program teaches the fundamental knowledge areas, tasks, and techniques needed to be successful in the business analysis field.

Outside of the College, you can find Jo Ann enjoying time her yard planting and landscaping. You might even catch her at a heavy metal concert.

“I’m more of a quiet and reserved person. Some people find it surprising that I love hard rock and heavy metal music,” Jo Ann said. “At this year’s Rock USA, I won a hand-painted, autographed Dean guitar!”

Thank you, Jo Ann, for your devotion to Moraine Park and the BA program. For more information, visit morainepark.edu/programs.

In response to industry demands, Moraine Park Technical College is offering a Business Analyst program this fall 2018.

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Whether you just finished high school or have been in the workforce for a while but looking for a change, if you have any of the strengths or transferable skills listed below, you would be a great candidate for the Moraine Park Business Analyst program.

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When you think of a Business Analyst, what words or thoughts come to the top of your mind? Do you think its technology or IT related? Perhaps someone who sits behind their computer analyzing data, numbers, or customer insights all day long? Or, maybe someone who analyzes workflows or processes?

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