The BAST: The New Gravitational Center of Business Analysis 

A transformation of great magnitude has occurred in the universe of business analysis, yet many professionals have not fully grasped its significance.

A Change of Astronomical Proportions in Business Analysis 

“When the second sun arrives 
To realign the orbits of the planets 
Bringing down with exemplary astonishment 
What astronomers thought was 
Just another comet.” 
(The Second Sun – Song by Duda Beat and Nando Reis, free translation) 

A shift realigning planetary orbits happened when IIBA clarified its strategy for evolving the official knowledge of business analysis last month. In the letter published by Delvin Fletcher, President of the IIBA, in the first edition of The Corner, it became evident that a new paradigm had been established. 

The gravitational center in the discipline has shifted, redefining the common foundation upon which we rely. 

The BABOK Guide: The Former Gravitational Center 

Since 2006, when version 1.6 of the BABOK Guide was released, the business analysis community has always considered this guide the fundamental reference for the discipline. Any subsequent publication aligned with it, ensuring a collective understanding. In 2020, this alignment was complemented by the Global Business Analysis Core Standard, a more concise and accessible document available for free download on the IIBA website. While the BABOK has over 500 pages, the Core Standard had about 50, providing a clear and direct summary. 

The Evolution of the Business Analysis Standard 

The major shift occurred with the renaming and expansion of this document, now called The Business Analysis Standard, which my friend Ricardo Stuchi, President of the IIBA Brazil Chapter, affectionately nicknamed The BAST. 

In addition to the key principles of business analysis available in the BABOK Guide, the BAST introduces updates and extended concepts, such as the business analysis mindset, new techniques for performing business analysis tasks, and integrating agile and hybrid approaches into the practice. It speaks to a broader audience, including organizational leaders and different roles benefiting from the business analysis practices. 

The BAST is now the best reference for business analysis terminology and vocabulary. As a more concise document updated regularly (every 18 to 24 months), it facilitates understanding and communication among professionals in the field. More than just a summary of the BABOK Guide, it serves as a structural axis, pointing to other IIBA-specific publications, such as guides on Cybersecurity, Agile Analysis, Product Ownership Analysis, and Data Analytics, as well as the BABOK Guide itself and additional resources with practical cases and examples available in the IIBA Knowledge Hub. 

Why the BAST is the New Sun of Business Analysis 

The Business Analysis Standard as the new sun of IIBA knowledge base
(The new solar system of IIBA; created using AI) 

In the business analysis solar system, the BAST has become the new Sun, around which other guides and publications orbit. Though concise, it is dense and highly relevant, guiding the evolution of knowledge in the field through a collaborative process in which volunteers continuously contribute to its updates. 

It serves as the foundation for understanding other official IIBA content, containing the fundamental concepts of business analysis and the framework upon which they are structured. 

The BAST has become the core content for IIBA’s entry-level certification (ECBA). This certification is ideal for professionals from various backgrounds who want to demonstrate their alignment with an outcome-driven mindset. 

The Importance of a Common Language in Business Analysis 

The common, simplified language provided by the BAST is essential for strengthening our identity as a community and enhancing the results achieved through business analysis. The discipline is applied in various contexts and can take on different forms depending on the industry and organizational needs. Software developers, for instance, approach business analysis differently than process analysts or corporate consultants, but all share the goal of achieving better outcomes from a value-driven perspective for stakeholders. 

Companies frequently develop proprietary approaches based on internal methodologies and terminologies, using specific artifacts, roles, and responsibilities names, making communication with professionals from other organizations more challenging. The BAST addresses this challenge by establishing a shared conceptual foundation, allowing different derived methodologies to remain connected to the global business analysis ecosystem. 

Adopt the BAST and Align with the Future of Business Analysis 

Now, the question remains: Are you aligned with the new Standard? Explore the BAST, use it as a reference, and contribute to the evolution of business analysis. The balance of our system depends on all of us! 

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