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
   

To give you more of an idea of what you’ll learn and how the course will help you, here’s a quick guide.

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.

Data Analysis (a two-day course)
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.

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.

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 one week 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.