I have just joined the IIBA really as an expression of support, and to support development of the BABOK (Business Analysis Body of Knowledge)

I feel that this may be the way of the future.

As a BA with many years experience, I find that the Certification Culture means that you fall at the first hurdle in many contracts races no matter what your experience if you haven't got a bit of paper.

A couple of years ago I did the Certificate of Training Practice from the CIPD as I was doing more training in my role. That was a useful thing for me to do as I am relatively inexperienced in the training field.

Fully a third of the people on the course were extremely experienced and just doing it because their CVs were getting filed under "B" for Bin by some agency staff who knew very little about Training but were looking for ticks in boxes.

For the same reason I looked at the ISEB Business Analysis certificate earlier this year. I was not impressed. I can't feel I would learn anything and I'm not that deparate to learn stuff I do not agree with to get a piece of paper.

I am looking at the DSDM Practitioner as I feel that will at least develop my skills in a useful direction. I may do Prince II as when I did a mock exam I got 80% without studying based on my project management knowledge.

I will look at the CBAP in future as it seems to me like it is going for more knowledge and experience so it might actually mean something.

But I do agree that having the letters does not mean you can do the job!