I joined the IIBA® a long, long time ago (in a galaxy far, far away – well, maybe not – just kidding). The organization has grown enormously since its inception 21 years ago. As the institute has expanded, so have the benefits it offers its members. I would not have achieved what I have in my career without the knowledge and support of the IIBA®, so it’s with gratitude that I share my favorite Top 10 Best Benefits of IIBA® Membership.
- Free digital copy of the Business Analysis Book of Knowledge
First and foremost, the IIBA® is the publisher of the Guide to the Business Analysis Book of Knowledge®, what I and other Business Analysis call our “BA Bible.” Now in its third major version, the BABOK® is the definitive source of knowledge for practicing the profession of Business Analysis. As a member of the global organization, you have access to a free digital copy of this standard, which is foundational to become a business analysis professional. It’s also available in multiple languages.
As an IIBA® member, not only do you have access to the BABOK®, but there are many other digital publications at your disposal, including the Agile Extension (2nd version), Product Ownership Analysis, and others.
- Online digital library
Access to the online digital library is one of the most overlooked and undervalued benefits of IIBA® membership. The cost of membership is worth of every penny even without this perk, but with access to so 11k+ books, this benefit is, well… priceless! You’d be a fool not to take advantage of FREE books!
The library covers so many topics relevant to our profession – everything from agile to leadership, to (God forbid) project management. If you want to learn something new, the IIBA®’s digital library should always be your first stop. You might be surprised at the quality of content you may find.
- Membership to a local chapter of your choice
Recently, the IIBA® introduced a concept they called “harmonization” which merged the global organization with the local chapters. Now, when you become a member of the worldwide institute, you can join any local chapter of your choice. There are local chapters across the globe, and they’re your closest community resource.
Local chapters have boards that you can volunteer to participate in, or if you just choose to be a member, you can enjoy in-person and virtual chapter meetings, study groups, mentoring, and more (depending on each individual chapter’s offerings).
- Ability to attend ANY chapter’s events, worldwide!
When you join the IIBA®, even if you elect to join a specific local chapter, you are still able to attend any chapter’s meetings (whether virtual or in-person). This is a HUGE benefit! If you are certified, you can earn CDUs by attending, and the variety and options of topics are limitless!
I have attended chapter meetings from coast to coast of the United States, and Canada. But that’s just Northern America! The IIBA® is truly a worldwide organization, and if you want to attend a meeting anywhere, you can!
- Member-only webinars to continue your education and earn CDUs
In addition to many webinars that are open to the public, the IIBA® also reserves some of its best speakers and content exclusively for its members. Members-only events provide relevant and timely topics that can help you continue to grow and expand in your own Business Analysis career.
Their calendar is chock-full of engaging opportunities to learn new tools and techniques, along with the opportunity to network with your fellow business analysis professionals from around the world. The IIBA® sends out regular reminders with upcoming topics, so there’s no excuse to miss a chance to learn something new!
- Reduced cost for certification application, exam, and renewal fees
It’s not cheap to pay for a certification, especially ones as respected as those offered by the IIBA®. As a member, you’ll get a discounted rate for all certifications offered, and the savings are substantial! I have three different IIBA® certifications, and I have saved a ton over the years, thanks to my membership.
I should also mention that from time to time, the IIBA® offers even further discounts, whether for a specific certification or for all their offerings (usually toward the end of the calendar year). If you’re looking to get maximum savings, be on the lookout for these special prices.
- Online jobs board for both employers and potential employees
I haven’t had much need for a job-hunting tool during my career as a Business Analyst, but if you want to go directly to the source, you couldn’t do much better than the job boards that are available as part of your IIBA® membership.
While it’s obviously a third-party service, like the online library, it’s worth the effort if you’re looking to find your next business analysis job. You can create your own profile and rest assured that the job postings are from companies that understand what Business Analysts do!
- Competency model to gauge your level of experience
An excellent addition to the many other benefits offered by the IIBA®, their competency model can help you figure out where you are in your professional development. Their assessment tool can help you identify your areas of strength and weakness. You’ll know exactly which areas you need to beef up in to grow your career.
As a member, you have access to the competency model as an individual; companies can also license this tool to help their overall Business Analysis practices mature, as well.
- Discounts to attend the IIBA®’s global annual conference
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that IIBA® members also get early bird and membership discounts to attend the official annual conference of International Institute of Business Analysis: Building Business Capability (BBC). This is a “can’t-miss” event that brings together the global community of Business Analysis in one place (usually alternating between Florida and Las Vegas, USA).
I have attended this conference more than once, and I can absolutely guarantee that it is some of the best money a company can invest in growing their Business Analysis capabilities. Analysts of any level will learn new skills and techniques and grow their professional networks.
- Access to annual Business Analysis Survey
Finally, the IIBA® conducts an annual survey on the profession of Business Analysis, and a periodic salary survey. If you want to understand the state of the profession and assess whether you’re fairly compensated for your professional skills and experience, the IIBA® conducts a very thorough survey and analysis of our profession.
As an IIBA® member, you can access the results of the surveys; you can also participate as a contributor. The surveys are extensive, so there is a time commitment to taking a survey, but trust me, it’s well worth your effort.
Final Thoughts
Well, that’s it. Those are my Top 10 Best Benefits of IIBA®Membership. If you’re a member, I’d love to hear what you think. Do you avail yourself of all these benefits? Are there other benefits I neglected to mention that are worthy of note? Let me know in the comments below!