Supporting Business Analysis Professionals In And Around The Greater Toronto Area

Volume 5  Issue 15  June 25, 2009

Thanks for a Great Year!

Thanks to all of our sponsors, patrons, members and guest speakers who have made this the most active and engaging year ever. We are now taking our annual two month break during July and August. But things are still going on in the background:

• We are continuing our website migration work with the central IIBA website.

• We are working on realigning our board configuration to more effectively fulfill our service mandate to business analysis professionals in and around the greater Toronto area.

Our next meeting is our Annual General Meeting, to be held on Wednesday September 30th. Have a great summer everyone!

This has to be the most common question we are asked. Currently, the IIBA^® does not provide a public listing of testing centres. Instead, when your application has been approved, they provide you with all the necessary information that will allow you to take the test locally. Here is an excerpt from the IIBA Central Website on this topic.

As with our current application process, applicants must submit their application package to IIBA^® and be approved prior to registering for the exam.  Please indicate CBT beside the Exam Location when completing the application form. For example, Exam Location:  Boston, MA, USA – CBT.  Within a month of receiving their approval email, the applicant will receive, via email from Castle Worldwide, an admission letter (i.e., Notice to Schedule CBAP^® Examination) which includes a User ID and Password to register online for the test center and test date of their choice. There will be a selection of dates and times to choose from at most dedicated test centers on a monthly basis. For test center locations in North America, up to 10 days notice from registration is required to take the exam. For all other locations, up to 90 days notice from registration may be required to take the exam.

After registering online for the exam, the applicant will receive, almost immediately, a confirmation email (i.e., IIBA^® – Scheduling Confirmation Notice) from Castle Worldwide. This email is the applicant’s admission letter and includes the exam logistics.

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Thank you to all of you who responded to our annual Members Survey.  Your feedback is important and it will help us serve your needs better in the Toronto Chapter. The survey was sent to 117 IIBA Toronto Chapter members.  Of the 117 contacted, approximately 30% (35 members) responded to the survey. Approximately 30% of the member base responded to the survey.  Here are the key highlights:

•  66% of responders are satisfied or extremely satisfied with the chapter

• 51% of responders attended 1-3 events

• 66% of responders would help out at BA World

• 80% of responders expect to renew their membership

• 69% of responders visit the website once per month

• The top two reasons members visit the site include: event information and articles/new information

• 51% of members would participate in the BA blog

• 31% of members are interested in becoming a CBAP in 2009

• 23% of members would participate in the book reviews area on the website

• 29% of responders would contribute content to the site

• Suggestions for future topics include: Analytical Thinking, Facilitation, Stakeholder Relationship, BA Toolbox, Mentoring, BA Toolbox, Skills and Emerging Trends, Contract BA, Defining global requirements, Differences between Private & Public Sector Work, Effective Communication, Life after the CBAP.

Click here to download the full details.

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Over time, we have heard numerous requests for IIBA chapter service in the areas surrounding Toronto itself. There have been a number of attempts made at starting up stand alone chapters in "the 905", and we have offered assistance each time. However, the logistics of starting up stand alone chapters are daunting. A new model was needed.

We are excited to announce the formation of the Toronto / GTA West Branch Chapter. GTA West is focused on providing chapter services to Toronto Chapter Members who work in the Mississauga area but can't attend our great presentations, study sessions or networking opportunities due to travel time and distance. Starting early in 2009 the Toronto / GTA West Branch Chapter will be offering monthly meetings in the Mississauga area featuring the same great presenters and topics offered in Toronto. GTA West members will also enjoy all the same rights and privileges of Toronto Chapter members.

The formation of the branch chapter is being spearheaded by Jonathan Anderson, who launched and managed a very successful similar model with the cities of Aukland and Wellington in New Zealand. Jonathan joins our Board of Directors as Vice President GTA West. If you're interested in attending or would like further information please contact Jonathan by clicking here.

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We invite all members of the Toronto Chapter to join our Linked In Professional Network. LinkedIn provides social and professional networking similar to Facebook, but geared towards the establishment and maintenance of professional contacts. To join the Chapter group, click here.

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