Business analysts, customer journey managers, project managers and solution developers who require a practical approach to analysing and modelling data. Data Analysis is also an Analytical Skills module on the BCS (ISEB) Advanced Diploma in Business Analysis.

The AssistKD Data Analysis course provides a solid grounding in the key concepts, principles and techniques underpinning the successful analysis and modelling of organisational data. The course focuses on two aspects of data analysis: 1) the activity concerned with understanding, organising and defining the data items that are relevant and useful in a business system, and 2) the activities concerned with interrogating and interpreting data for the purpose of business decision- making (often referred to as data analytics).

Presented to you by one of the expert training consultants pictured below. Each member of our Data Analysis training team brings substantial data analysis, data modelling and data analytics experience to the programme.

Upon completion of this course, candidates will be able to:

• Explain the distinction between data and information, and structured and unstructured data
• Distinguish between the complementary disciplines of data analysis and data analytics
• Develop a simple data model to represent a business system or the data requirements of an IT system using UML class diagram notation
• Apply the principles of normalisation and use appropriate metadata to define good quality data requirements
• Demonstrate an understanding of the stages of a typical data lifecycle and how data analysis and data analytics fit into the lifecycle
• Use CRUD matrices and data navigation diagrams to validate a data model against business needs and generally improve the quality of data definitions
• Apply a set of techniques to analyse datasets to facilitate business decision making
• Appreciate the importance of data protection and the ethical use of data
   

BCS Certificate in Data Analysis

Course Content

Introduction to Business Information and Data

• Initial concepts and terminology
  • Information versus data
  • Data analysis versus data analytics
• Data modelling and data models
  • Conceptual, logical and physical data models
  • Static and dynamic views of data
• Structured and unstructured data
• The Data Lifecycle

Modelling Data Using Class Diagrams

• Classifying elements of substance and their attributes
• Classes and objects
• Attributes
• Associations and multiplicity
  • Types of relationships (one-to-one, one-to-many, many-to-many)
  • Resolving many-to-many relationships
  • Showing multiple roles
• Aggregation and composition
• Generalisation
• Naming conventions
• Class diagrams

Defining Data Requirements

• Defining data
• Metadata (structural, descriptive and statistical metadata)
• Data definitions
• Domain definitions
• Relational data theory
  • Two-dimensional structures
  • Using keys to identify data (primary, foreign, concatenated, compound and hierarchic keys)
• Normalisation
  • The normalisation process
  • Un-normalised form, first normal form, second normal form, third normal form
  • Relations
  • TNF (Third Normal Form) model
• Aspects of data quality

Obtaining and Recording Data

• Identifying sources of data
• Validating data models using a CRUD matrix
• Data navigation paths and Data Navigation Diagrams

Analysis for Decision Making

• A process for data analytics
• Sourcing datasets
  • Data lineage
• Validating and cleansing datasets
  • Confirmation bias
  • Sampling
  • Outliers
  • Consistency
• Dataset calculations
  • Counting
  • Totalling
  • Averaging (mean, median, mode)
  • Maximum and minimum
  • Probability
  • NULL values
• Identifying meaningful relationships
  • Regression analysis
  • Correlation and causation
  • Time-series analysis and forecasting
• Interpreting results

Protecting Data

• The imperative for protecting data
• CIA (Confidentiality, Integrity and Availability)
• Data protection principles
• Data ethics
  • Data ethics principles
• Online data

©Assist Knowledge Development Ltd.

Here's a quick guide to the topics covered on each day of the course.

For virtual courses a printed copy of the latest edition of the comprehensive course manual will be sent to your home address in good time for the start of your course. Our delegates tell us that having access to a physical document is beneficial as both a reference document and for taking notes during the course. In addition, a link will be emailed to you to enable you to access an electronic copy of the same comprehensive manual for convenient future reference.

For the duration of the course, delegates can also request access to an electronic version of the Data Analysis course manual that is provided with virtual courses. 

Yes. During this two day course you’ll receive all the training you need to prepare for the BCS Professional Certificate in Data Analysis exam. A pass in this module will contribute to the BCS International Advanced Diploma in Business Analysis. The course is also consistent with SFIA skills DTAN levels 2 and 3.

For delegates attending a classroom, virtual classroom or eLearning course, the exam may be taken remotely using the BCS online proctoring service. This exam consists of 40 multiple-choice questions with a pass mark of 26/40.

This course prepares participants to sit the examination leading to the BCS Professional Certificate in Data Analysis. The examination for this certificate lasts for 90 minutes and consists of 40 scenario-based multiple-choice questions. The pass mark is 26/40 or 65%. This certificate contributes to the BCS Advanced International Diploma in Business Analysis.

For delegates attending a classroom, virtual classroom or eLearning course, the exam may be taken remotely using the BCS online proctoring service. This exam consists of 40 multiple-choice questions with a pass mark of 26/40.

This course was written by our team of training consultants, who bring their substantial experience of business analysis projects to the programme.

Watch the video below to find out more about our eLearning.

Do you have a question about our eLearning courses? Check out our FAQs section…

If this course is part of your BCS Advanced Diploma in Business Analysis programme you have a choice of further modules you can take including Business Architecture, Agile Business Analysis, Advanced Requirements Engineering, Stakeholder Engagement, Business Finance, Benefits Planning and Realisation and Team Leadership. The structure of the certification is shown here.

How do AssistKD’s virtual classroom courses work?

AssistKD’s virtual courses are conducted live and online in a ‘virtual’ classroom space via Microsoft Teams. 
On each day of the course, we ask delegates to log on in time for a 9am start. The courses end at 4.30pm. An hour is ring-fenced for lunch, but timings can vary.

Designed to be interactive, responsive and engaging, our virtual (live) courses are led by trainers who are experts in their fields, with real-life industry experience. 
The benefit of the virtual classroom is that delegates enjoy all the benefits of ‘in-real-time' training, but with no travel requirements or overnight stays. 

Regular comfort breaks, team exercises and break-out sessions keep delegates focused and reinforce learning. 
The courses allow learners to develop their professional toolkits.

Can you attend virtual classroom courses from outside the UK?

Yes, however you will be issued with a digital course manual in advance of the course, not a printed manual. 

When will I receive my joining instructions?

You will receive joining instructions two weeks before the start of your course. One week before the course you will receive detailed instructions on how to log on.

I am concerned about logging on, is there support available?

If you have concerns about logging on and your technology, it is best to address these prior to the day of the course. We can offer you a test call at a time that suits you. To request this please contact support@assistkd.com

I have additional needs, can they be accommodated?

Please provide us with full details of any additional needs in advance of the course so that we can work with you to accommodate them. Please contact enquiries@assistkd.com

When will I receive my course manual?

You will receive your course manual, in both printed and digital form, two weeks before the start of your course.

Can you accommodate a last-minute booking?

Yes, provided there is availability.

Do you offer discounted prices if I am taking more than one course?

Yes, please contact enquires@assistkd.com

What happens if I need to reschedule, do I have to pay twice?

If you need to reschedule, to avoid a cancellation fee please give 10 working days’ notice by contacting enquiries@assistkd.com.

Do the courses run on consecutive days?

Yes. Courses which last for more than one day are delivered on consecutive days from the start date indicated. These are on working days, during Monday to Friday.

Do you offer courses over the weekend?

Our virtual (live) classroom and face-to-face classroom courses run from Monday to Friday only.

Is the exam taken during the actual course?

No. The exam can be taken on a date and time of your choice. You will be provided with exam registration details before the start of your course. We recommend that you take the exam within two weeks of the end of your course, while the knowledge is fresh.

When will I receive my exam results and certificate?

Exams will be taken online you will find out your result immediately on completion. Then, approximately two weeks after the exam this will be confirmed via the BCS portal and you can print out your certificate. 

Is the exam included with the eLearning subscriptions?

All BCS and A4Q eLearning exams can be taken online via remote proctoring, giving you complete flexibility to sit your exam from any suitable location. If you choose the Core or Extra option, your exam voucher is already included, making it simple to progress toward certification.

Can I buy now and start later?

Absolutely. Your course is added to your account right after purchase, but you choose when to activate your subscription - ideal for planning around work or personal commitments. When you are ready to begin learning, you simply log in to your account and click 'Activate' next to the course name.

Have more questions? Check out our full FAQs here or contact us directly.