Why won't BAs BA themselves?

As a profession we just seem to resist turning our analytical tools on ourselves with the result that we don't know what our objectives, functional and non-functional requirements, and business rules are.

Why won't we do that?

I have already posted on the fact that humans don't seem to like actually doing analysis and the reasons why and perhaps this explains the phenomenon but it does not excuse it.

What smart objectives for the profession does certification contribute to?

In order to meet the functional requirement "to be able to analyse change requirements" in what way does a jargonised method implement it?

The facts are that a significant proportion of BAs embrace jargonised methods and demand certification - and no-one else does!

I think we are trying to dress up in fancy uniforms and claim to be 'professionals' (whatever that actually means) whereas the reality of it is that we are far more like unregulated tradesmen.

Consider a gas fitter and a builder. The gas fitter (in the uk) is regulated and has to (by law) be CORGI accredited and work done on gas installations by non-accredited CORGI workmen is not permitted.

There's a driver here to try and prevent accidents due to faulty installation of gas appliances and the smart objective for gas fitters is to maintain their CORGI compliance and so maintain their ability to trade.

The builder doesn't have to be accredited by anyone to do anything.

Likewise there is no legal (or other recognised) imperative for Business Analysts. Hence we are the builders not the gas fitters, like it or not. That being the case the objective "maintain IIBA/ISEB/whatever certification" does not address any recognised drivers.

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