Ep 94 - Getting the Most out of an IIBA Certification
Tue Feb 03 2026
In this episode, hosts Chandra and Paul continue their discussion with Nathan Diamon from Ajinomoto Foods North America. This week’s discussion is focused on the value of IIBA (International Institute of Business Analysis) certifications and the BABOK (Business Analysis Body of Knowledge). The conversation highlights the benefits of developing business analyst skills, the importance of practical experience before pursuing certifications, and how structured frameworks like BABOK add value in both tactical and strategic roles. They also discuss the balancing act of IT planning and governance, the changing roles within organizations as technology evolves, and the challenges of integrating new tools with core systems like JD Edwards.
06:05 Certification Timing Matters
07:15 BABOK as a Toolkit, Not a Script
13:37 Certifications as Career Multipliers
17:14 The Reality of Capacity (and Why It Gets Ignored)
20:41 Guardrails in a World of Shiny Tools
25:48 Two Sides of the Same Coin
28:58 Midwesternism of the Day
Resources:
International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA): https://www.iiba.org/
IIBA Certifications: https://www.iiba.org/business-analysis-certifications/iiba-certifications/?_gl=1*ageg2m*_up*MQ..*_gs*MQ..&gclid=CjwKCAiAs4HMBhBJEiwACrfNZTqgFHRJcMr2XrGVnP_UOW9WGhIZikALWEFXKYhVa0NhMJ_uBO30nBoCKtMQAvD_BwE&gbraid=0AAAAAC7a0OTr8RyCJ9ZBlwcZYTrhcerJo
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In this episode, hosts Chandra and Paul continue their discussion with Nathan Diamon from Ajinomoto Foods North America. This week’s discussion is focused on the value of IIBA (International Institute of Business Analysis) certifications and the BABOK (Business Analysis Body of Knowledge). The conversation highlights the benefits of developing business analyst skills, the importance of practical experience before pursuing certifications, and how structured frameworks like BABOK add value in both tactical and strategic roles. They also discuss the balancing act of IT planning and governance, the changing roles within organizations as technology evolves, and the challenges of integrating new tools with core systems like JD Edwards. 06:05 Certification Timing Matters 07:15 BABOK as a Toolkit, Not a Script 13:37 Certifications as Career Multipliers 17:14 The Reality of Capacity (and Why It Gets Ignored) 20:41 Guardrails in a World of Shiny Tools 25:48 Two Sides of the Same Coin 28:58 Midwesternism of the Day Resources: International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA): https://www.iiba.org/ IIBA Certifications: https://www.iiba.org/business-analysis-certifications/iiba-certifications/?_gl=1*ageg2m*_up*MQ..*_gs*MQ..&gclid=CjwKCAiAs4HMBhBJEiwACrfNZTqgFHRJcMr2XrGVnP_UOW9WGhIZikALWEFXKYhVa0NhMJ_uBO30nBoCKtMQAvD_BwE&gbraid=0AAAAAC7a0OTr8RyCJ9ZBlwcZYTrhcerJo