Business Systems Analyst Diploma

Programs Page

Program Description:

Within all industries, businesses rely on information. Quality, timeliness of data and complete analysis can positively or negatively impact mission-critical decisions. The role of a Business Analyst is to bridge the gap between the business need identified in the strategic plan and available solutions. The Analyst achieves this bridge by thoroughly analyzing the business needs and processes, then designing and testing a solution. The national definition of a Business Analyst is “Business Analysts conduct research, develop and implement (information) systems development plans, policies and procedures, and provide advice on a wide range of (information) system issues.”

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CONTACT INFORMATION

For more information, contact us at pacept@uwinnipeg.ca

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In-Class

Hybrid

Business Systems Analyst Diploma Fact Sheet

Objectives & Outcomes

OBJECTIVES

Ability to identify and document business-systems requirements, conduct business and technical studies, and design, develop and implement business solutions.
Ability to offer advice on information systems strategy, policy, management and service delivery.
Ability to assess physical and technical security risks to data, software and hardware, and develop policies, procedures and contingency plans to minimize effects of security breaches.
Ability to conduct independent, third-party reviews to assess quality assurance practices, software products and information systems.

Courses & Descriptions

Required Courses:

Advanced Business Analysis: Rules and Architecture

FORMERLY DIT 16295 ADVANCED BUSINESS ANALYSIS: BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE

The purpose of this course is to provide students the opportunity to develop key skills for performing the duties of a Business Analyst. The course will build on the analysis and design material presented in the Introduction to Business Analyst and Joint Solutions Development (JSD) courses by a more comprehensive study of concepts and skills. Students will study frameworks with particular emphasis on Business Architecture, and the relationships and importance of Business Rules, Business Processes and Business Intelligence to the work of business analysts. The course will also give students the opportunity to apply their knowledge in classroom JSD workshop exercises involving the concepts covered in this and earlier courses.

This course will focus on:

Useful Frameworks.
Business Architecture and modeling.
What Business Rules are and their importance to Business Analysis.
How to discover Business Rules and ensure quality.
Relationships and importance of Business Rules, Business Processes and Business Intelligence.
Requirements gathering workshop practice sessions
Ensuring Overall Requirements Quality
Ensuring Requirements Completeness

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Business Fundamentals

In the current economic climate where so many new start-ups fail, what skills and knowledge do business leaders need to succeed? This course explores critical business issues, including maximizing competitive performance, navigating the chaos of disruptive innovation, and creating long-term sustainability in today's "innovate or die" environment. Highly interactive class discussion helps break out core business concepts across a variety of business models. Using a case study framework, students will explore different business forms, environmental influences, key management challenges, and innovative business solutions. Through assigned readings, case studies and lectures, students will gain a balanced perspective of fundamental business theories and best practice methodologies.

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Introduction to Business Analysis

The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the role and tools of the Business Analyst. Students will be introduced to the software development life cycle and understand how various disciplines come together to create a solution for business. This course will expose students to various aspects of Business Analysis as defined in the Business Analysis Body Of Knowledge (BABOK) published by the International Institute for Business Analysis. The course will use the BABOK Business Analysis Framework as its study roadmap in conjunction with the textbook discussions.

A key aspect of this course is the practical, real world approaches, discussions and examples provided. Students are encouraged to adopt industry methodologies and frameworks to each situation versus doing work and producing artifacts that do not provide value for the organization’s investment of time and funding.

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Project Management Fundamentals

Whether you are managing a project or enhancing your organizational processes, project management knowledge, tools and techniques are integral to success in today’s cost and time-sensitive business environment. This course will provide students with the fundamental knowledge to effectively initiate, plan, execute, monitor and control, and close a project as a project manager or as a member of a project team. Participants will come to understand how their informal practices align with a PMI® based model that will provide a basis for working with internal or external stakeholders, producing a greater likelihood of project success and sponsor approval.

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Systems Analysis and Design

This course examines the technology and the documentation associated with designing accounting information systems. It introduces Enterprise Risk Management (“ERM”), e-business, as well as the controls and security in developing effective accounting information systems. Additional topics include business operations; management decision-making; system development, communication and accounting; and auditing principles.

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Requirements Workshop Planning and Facilitation

**Formally DIT 16293 Joint Solution Development (JSD)**

In this course students develop the Business Analyst skills and knowledge to successfully design and facilitate productive requirements workshops to build, or acquire, the right IT solution. They will gain practical knowledge, skills to apply facilitation techniques and collaborative principles as a Business Analyst. Students will learn the 5 phases ofrequirements workshop planning and execution, and the ingredients for successful workshops, specific approaches for their planning and design, facilitation techniques, tips and resources, and the principles of collaboration and team success. A key aspect of this course is the practical, real world approaches, discussions and examples provided.

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Effective Communication Skills for Business Analysts

Poor communication skills can hamper business operations, information sharing, and career development. This course will aim to provide business analyst candidates with skills in both oral and written communication vital to their field. Topics will include presentation skills, facilitation of group discussions, effective writing skills, grammar, and document preparation

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Case Studies and Applied Systems Development

This course provides applied experience in the conception, analysis, design, development and quality assurance of infonnation technology solutions.

Students will experience practical and realistic case studies in the application of information technology solutions to solve business problems. Students will gain hands-on experience with the full systems development life cycle through the creation of their own software application.

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UML Fundamentals for Business Analysts

Formerly DIT 36084 Object-Oriented Analysis and Object-Oriented Design*

This course takes the practitioner from the conceptual business level of understanding, to the analytical level of detail discove1y, and finally touches on the design of potential software-based solutions. Using Unified Modeling
Language (UML) techniques, the practitioner will be exposed to facilitation experiences oriented toward capturing business requirements which will be instrumental toward system and process related solutions.
This course also introduces analysis and design techniques which are intended for designing software-based systems within a larger business process and system enviI:onment. This course covers concepts including:

•   How analysis-level models are transitioned to design.
•   Advanced use ofUML diagrams to convey precise design intent.
•   Exposure to the use ofUML Behavioural diagrams to conduct business and system process analysis.
•   Facilitating scope discussions through goal based Use Case diagrams

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Elective Courses Comments:

Choose one of the Elective Courses

Elective Courses:

Essential Skills for Managers

Collaboration is essential to the new boundaryless organizational structure. Positively channelling the various archetypal influences and integrating effective cross-functional teamwork within the organization is a key role of the manager.

In this course, students will gain an understanding of the fundamental skills necessary for leading teams and achieving results through others. This course will include topics such as performance management and corrective action, team development, cross-functional coordination, change management, diversity in the workplace, and employee engagement. The course will also focus on soft skills development in the areas of active listening, conflict resolution, communication, coaching, and feedback.

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Leadership Development

In times of limited resources, conflicting demands, and rapid cultural and technological change, public and private organizations need leaders with the vision and skills to guide them in the achievement of their goals. Leadership training and development can maximize productivity, shape a positive culture and promote harmony. To achieve this, key people must lead individuals and teams using an appropriate leadership style. This course will deal with the fundamentals of leadership, including the role of the leader and the difference between managing and leading.

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Organizational Behaviour

Organizational behaviour is the study of how and why people act within organizations and the impact this may have on others in the organization and on the organization itself. This course is highly interactive and is designed to provide participants with an understanding of organizational behaviour concepts, key management concerns, issues to be considered, and current theory and practises in dealing with these issues. Through assigned readings, case studies and lectures, students will gain a balanced perspective of theory and practical applications to their business environment.

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Managing Conflict

Studies show that managers spend a large percentage of their time dealing with conflict. This is a practical, hands-on course that will teach managers and supervisors to “nip conflicts in the bud” and resolve issues before they grow. Participants will learn how to deal with conflict one-on-one, how to empower their employees to deal with their own conflicts constructively, and how to conduct joint meetings between conflicted employees effectively.

The course is unusually interactive and uses simulations so that students will finish the course having already experimented with resolving conflict. Participants are required to come with their own conflict scenarios to discuss.

Students who receive a full credit for this course can use it towards a Certificate in Conflict Resolution at the Resolution Skills Centre in Winnipeg.

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Admission Requirements

Academic Requirements

Be a high school graduate or hold a Mature Status Diploma.
- MUST provide High School Transcript or recognized equivalent GED or Mature Grade 12 Diploma .OR
Be 18 years of age or older and have completed 90 hours of coursework or more at a recognized post-secondary institution (including UWinnipeg PACE) with minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.
- MUST provide an official transcript for all previous post-secondary study (including university, CEGEP, or private college).

English Language Requirements

Applicants, whose previous education was completed outside of Canada and where English may or may not have been the medium of instruction, must submit ONE of the following English language proficiency measures:

A minimum overall academic IELTS band score of 6.5 and a minimum score of 6.0 for the writing and reading categories *
A minimum TOEFL score of 550 with no less than 50 in each component (paper-based), or achieve a minimum score of 80 with no less than 19 in each component (internet-based).
A minimum CANTEST score of 4.5 in the listening, writing and reading categories
Three years of full-time education in English at secondary (high school) or post-secondary (university or college) levels in Canada
Graduation from a Manitoba high school with at least one Senior 4 Core English credit with a minimum grade of 70% (Comprehensive Focus, Literary Focus or Transactional Focus)
Graduation from a Canadian high school with at least one Grade 12 English with a minimum grade of 70%
Graduation from a Canadian curriculum high school outside of Canada with at least one Grade 12 English with a minimum grade of 70% (students taking a New Brunswick curriculum are not included. You must present an IELTS test)
Heartland International English School’s Pathway Program who have successfully completed Advanced 2 (Level 5), with 80%, as meeting the English requirement.
Applicants taking the English Language requirement from ELP must achieve a minimum of “B” in the following courses:
(Full-time) Academic Level 5 – Students must complete Academic Level 5 and Introduction to Business OR
(Part-time) Academic Writing II (3 credit course) and Academic Learning & Speaking (3 credit course)

See UWinnipeg English Language Requirements for additional English Proficiency tests and programs, including English language requirement waiver options.