UPDATE:

A Frequently Asked Questionsdocument is available for more information on the proposal.

A formal vote will be held in the form of a poll via the website for current members of the ABAA. You will need to logon using your membership number and password. If you would like to participate in the vote and are unsure of your membership status, please contact mailto:membership@abaa.org.au.

VOTE TIMES: 5:00pm AEST Tuesday 23rd - 5:00pm AEST Thursday 25th February. Upon logging on you will see a 'Poll' on the right hand navigation pane. You are able to vote once and once only, but can change your vote up until closing time.

For any questions about the proposal please see the Frequently Asked Questions or contact mailto:president@abaa.org.au

The Australian Business Analysis Association (ABAA) has been in operation in Australia since 2003. Having established chapters in most states in Australia, the ABAA provides regular networking events for business analysts, an interactive website and forum, newsletters and discounts to relevant training and events through various sponsorship agreements.

IIBA(R) Australia provides events for members in capital cities, access to the BABOK(R) and associated webinars and the opportunity to obtain Certified Business Analyst Practitioner (CBAP(R)) accreditation. IIBA(R) Australia membership translates into membership to the wider international IIBA(R).
Both organisations are:

• Operating under a Not for Profit model, with all revenue reinvested to benefit members and the BA community
• Independent of commercial favouritism
• Open and democratic providing members with the ability to nominate for committee positions and financial records available to members

In the absence of a profit motive, both organisations exist to:
• Benefit business analysts and those who perform business analysis activities in their work. 
• Promote and raise the profile of the business analysis profession
• Provide opportunities for business analysts to network and learn
• Develop and provide access to useful knowledge, references, competency frameworks and other tools that are of value to business analysts

The ABAA supports the ongoing distribution and adoption of the IIBA(R) Business Analysis Body of Knowledge(R), and has aimed to build upon this work by creating a competency framework allowing the assessment of skills and techniques. For more information on this initiative please contact Tim Coventry (qldcomss@abaa.org.au)
The synergies and common goals of both organizations has this year (2009) led the leadership teams of ABAA and IIBA(R) Australia to discuss opportunities for working together to promote business analysis in Australia. Several successful joint chapter meetings have been held with both ABAA and IIBA(R) members in attendance in the later part of 2009. With this success in mind a merger has been proposed.

The key drive behind the merger is to create a singular and strong, unbiased and vendor neutral voice for business analysis in Australia.

Given that the IIBA(R) is an international body it is proposed that a merger would involve the ABAA brand be discontinued and the IIBA Australia name would become the single brand for the merged associations. In addition to this all ABAA intellectual property (IP) (including the ABACF) would be transferred to the new entity.

Although the ABAA brand would be discontinued, the core strengths of the ABAA (e.g. strong regional networks) would be retained and used as a basis for expansion.

We look forward to seeing your response to this important proposal,

Best Regards
Astrid Ries
President
ABAA