OpenCourser brand icon
Sign in
We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.
Course Discontinued We've found some alternatives for you:

Top Active Alternatives

Putting People First as a Business Analyst is no longer accepting new enrollments. We've matched the highest-rated active courses in this subject:

Read Reviews → Enroll Active
Read Reviews → Enroll Active
Read Reviews → Enroll Active
Pluralsight logo

Putting People First as a Business Analyst

Heather Mylan-Mains

A successful business analysis career depends on your ability to work well with people; not an easy task. This course will teach the skills and techniques that will help you to put people first, enabling success in business analysis.

Read more

A successful business analysis career depends on your ability to work well with people; not an easy task. This course will teach the skills and techniques that will help you to put people first, enabling success in business analysis.

At the core of business analysis is a thorough knowledge of understanding people. In this course, Putting People First as a Business Analyst, you will gain an understanding of how to manage working well with people. First, you’ll discover how to understand people. Next, you’ll explore how to manage conflict and influence others. Then, you will focus on how to advocate for your stakeholders. Finally, you will learn how to create and leverage a network. When you are finished with this course, you will have a foundational knowledge of skills to work effectively with people to be successful in business analysis. This will help you as you move forward in your business analysis career.

This course is no longer available. Find something similar by browsing:
Business Analysis Stakeholder Management Influence Conflict Resolution Communication Networking Teamwork

What's inside

Syllabus

Course Overview
Working Well with People as a Business Analyst
Understanding People
Managing Conflicts
Read more

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Develops soft skills such as conflict management, influence, and advocacy, which are essential for business analysts
Emphasizes the importance of understanding people, a core skill for business analysts
Provides a solid foundation for those looking to build a career in business analysis
Taught by an experienced instructor with expertise in business analysis
Covers essential topics such as managing conflict, influencing others, and advocating for stakeholders
Lacks hands-on exercises and practical examples, which may limit its effectiveness for some learners

Save this course

Create your own learning path. Save this course to your list so you can find it easily later.
Save

Reviews summary

Essential people skills for business analysts

According to learners, this course offers a highly practical and actionable approach to developing crucial soft skills for Business Analysts. Students frequently praise the clarity of instruction and the insightful strategies provided for managing conflict, influencing stakeholders, and effective advocacy. While some experienced professionals found certain topics to be foundational, the course is widely regarded as a valuable resource for improving interpersonal effectiveness, directly applicable to real-world BA challenges. It is particularly beneficial for those seeking to formalize or enhance their 'people-first' approach in their careers.
Excellent for new/intermediate BAs; less for advanced learners.
"While excellent for beginners, I was hoping for more advanced techniques given my experience."
"It's a great intro, but intermediate analysts might find some topics a bit basic."
"I felt some of the advice was a bit simplistic. Might be better for very new BAs."
Directly addresses crucial soft skills for business analysis.
"This truly helps in building a successful business analysis career."
"The course content is perfectly aligned with the real challenges BAs face."
"It’s a beneficial course for honing soft skills essential for business analysis."
Concepts are explained clearly by a knowledgeable instructor.
"The instructor's insights were profound, and the course content is perfectly aligned with the real challenges BAs face."
"The instructor explains complex concepts in a very digestible way."
"Their explanations were always clear and easy to follow, making the learning engaging."
Provides immediately applicable techniques for BAs.
"This course was an absolute game-changer for my BA career! The sections on managing conflicts and influencing others provided incredibly practical strategies."
"I found the techniques to be incredibly practical and could apply them immediately at work."
"The course is concise yet comprehensive, delivering actionable takeaways without fluff."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Putting People First as a Business Analyst with these activities:
Compile a list of resources on conflict management and communication
Assemble a valuable collection of resources on conflict management and communication strategies, providing easy access to relevant materials for further learning.
Browse courses on Conflict Resolution
Show steps
  • Identify credible sources and gather articles, books, and online resources.
  • Organize the resources by topic and relevance.
  • Create a document or digital collection for easy reference.
Read 'Difficult Conversations: How to Discuss What Matters Most'
Gain practical guidance on navigating challenging conversations in business analysis, fostering productive dialogue and maintaining positive relationships.
View Difficult Conversations: How to Discuss What... on Amazon
Show steps
  • Explore the key principles of effective communication in difficult situations.
  • Identify and practice techniques for addressing sensitive topics and managing emotions.
  • Apply the learned strategies to real-world business analysis interactions.
Read 'People Skills: How to Assert Yourself, Listen to Others, and Resolve Conflicts'
Gain practical insights into the art of interpersonal communication and conflict management, setting a strong foundation for effective collaboration in business analysis.
View Listen Up or Lose Out: How to Avoid... on Amazon
Show steps
  • Explore the book's introduction and key concepts.
  • Read through the chapters on assertiveness, active listening, and resolving conflicts.
  • Apply the principles discussed in the book to real-life scenarios and business analysis interactions.
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Engage in peer discussions on conflict management strategies
Exchange experiences and perspectives with peers, gaining valuable insights and expanding your toolkit for effectively navigating conflicts in business analysis.
Browse courses on Conflict Resolution
Show steps
  • Identify a specific conflict scenario or challenge.
  • Facilitate a discussion among peers, sharing different perspectives and strategies.
  • Analyze the collective insights and identify best practices for conflict resolution.
Participate in mock stakeholder interviews
Develop your communication and stakeholder engagement skills by practicing mock interviews, honing your ability to elicit and understand stakeholders' needs.
Browse courses on Stakeholder Management
Show steps
  • Identify a scenario and define the stakeholder persona.
  • Prepare interview questions tailored to stakeholder interests.
  • Conduct mock interviews and actively listen to stakeholder perspectives.
  • Analyze the interview outcomes and identify areas for improvement.
Attend a negotiation workshop
Elevate your negotiation skills by attending a dedicated workshop, gaining practical knowledge and techniques to effectively negotiate and reach mutually beneficial agreements in business analysis.
Browse courses on Negotiation
Show steps
  • Research and identify a reputable negotiation workshop.
  • Attend the workshop and actively participate in exercises and discussions.
  • Apply the learned negotiation strategies to real-life business analysis scenarios.
Develop a stakeholder communication plan
Enhance your stakeholder engagement strategy by creating a comprehensive communication plan, ensuring effective and targeted communication throughout the business analysis process.
Browse courses on Stakeholder Management
Show steps
  • Identify all relevant stakeholders and their communication preferences.
  • Develop a communication strategy tailored to each stakeholder group.
  • Create a communication schedule and delivery plan.
  • Implement the communication plan and monitor its effectiveness.
Conduct a stakeholder analysis for a real-world project
Immerse yourself in a practical application of stakeholder analysis by conducting a comprehensive study for a real-world project, enhancing your understanding of stakeholder identification, prioritization, and engagement.
Browse courses on Stakeholder Management
Show steps
  • Define the project scope and objectives.
  • Identify and map all relevant stakeholders.
  • Analyze stakeholder interests, power, and influence.
  • Develop a stakeholder engagement strategy.
  • Implement the stakeholder engagement plan and monitor its effectiveness.

Career center

Learners who complete Putting People First as a Business Analyst will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Business Analyst
Business Analysts often engage heavily with all levels of a company, from entry-level staff to the CEO. To succeed in this role, it is important to develop strong people skills. Beyond this, Business Analysts can effectively advocate for business needs, influence others, and understand the perspectives of various stakeholders. This course will help build a foundation for a successful career in business analysis by providing relevant training in advocacy, understanding stakeholders, conflict management, and people management.
See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst
Product Manager
Product Managers must work with multiple teams across an organization to ensure a smooth product launch and continued success for a product. This course can provide Product Managers with training in understanding people and managing conflict, which can ensure that they can work effectively with their teams.
See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager
Consultant
Consulting firms advise clients on a variety of business processes and initiatives. Consultants must be able to work with people at all levels of a company and often serve as advocates for clients. This course may be useful for those aspiring to a career in consulting by providing training in working with people, advocating for stakeholders, and resolving conflict.
See salaries and explore the career path for Consultant
Data Analyst
Data Analysts often work in teams to collect, clean, and analyze data. To be successful, Data Analysts must be effective communicators and be able to clearly present their findings to various stakeholders. This course may be helpful for those aspiring to a career in data analysis as it can teach them to better understand people, create a sense of control, and influence others.
See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst
Project Manager
Project Managers work with people with varying skillsets and backgrounds to bring projects to completion. To be successful in this role, Project Managers must be able to manage conflict, resolve issues, and create a sense of stability. This course may be useful for those looking to become Project Managers as it provides training in understanding people, creating a sense of control, and working well with people.
See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager
Sales Manager
Sales Managers must be able to build relationships with their clients. They must also be effective advocates and be able to influence clients towards making purchasing decisions. This course may be useful for those looking to become Sales Managers as it can help them build foundational skills in understanding people, managing conflict, and influence.
See salaries and explore the career path for Sales Manager
Account Manager
Account Managers are responsible for building and maintaining relationships with clients. By doing so, they expand the client base and increase revenue. This course may be useful for those looking to become Account Managers as it can teach them how to work effectively with people, understand their perspectives, and advocate for their interests.
See salaries and explore the career path for Account Manager
Customer Success Manager
Customer Success Managers work to ensure that customers have positive experiences with a company's product or service. They work with customers to identify issues and resolve them in a timely manner. This course may be useful for those looking to become Customer Success Managers as it can help them learn how to work with people, understand their needs, and advocate for them.
See salaries and explore the career path for Customer Success Manager
Marketing Manager
Marketing Managers work with people from various departments to develop and execute marketing campaigns. They must effectively advocate for their marketing initiatives and persuade stakeholders to support their ideas. This course may be helpful for those looking to become Marketing Managers as it provides training in understanding people, influencing others, and creating a sense of control.
See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager
Human Resources Manager
Human Resources Managers work with people in all levels of a company to ensure that the company is operating in compliance with employment laws. They also work to develop and implement HR policies and programs. This course may be useful for those looking to become Human Resources Managers as it can help them build skills in working with people, understanding their needs, and advocating for them.
See salaries and explore the career path for Human Resources Manager
Customer Service Manager
Customer Service Managers work with customers to resolve issues and ensure that they have a positive experience with a company's product or service. They must be effective communicators and be able to understand the needs of customers. This course may be helpful for those looking to become Customer Service Managers as it can help them build skills in understanding people, working with people, and advocating for them.
See salaries and explore the career path for Customer Service Manager
Recruiter
Recruiters work with people from various backgrounds and skillsets to fill job openings. To be successful, Recruiters must be effective communicators and be able to build relationships with potential candidates. This course may be useful for those looking to become Recruiters as it can help them learn how to work with people, understand their needs, and advocate for them.
See salaries and explore the career path for Recruiter
Social Worker
Social Workers work with people from all walks of life to help them overcome challenges and improve their quality of life. They must be effective communicators and be able to build relationships with clients. This course may be useful for those looking to become Social Workers as it can help them learn how to work with people, understand their needs, and advocate for them.
See salaries and explore the career path for Social Worker
Teacher
Teachers work with students from various backgrounds and skillsets to help them learn and grow. To be successful, Teachers must be effective communicators and be able to build relationships with students. This course may be useful for those looking to become Teachers as it can help them learn how to work with people, understand their needs, and advocate for them.
See salaries and explore the career path for Teacher
Therapist
Therapists work with people from all walks of life to help them overcome mental health challenges and improve their quality of life. They must be effective communicators and be able to build relationships with clients. This course may be useful for those looking to become Therapists as it can help them learn how to work with people, understand their needs, and advocate for them.
See salaries and explore the career path for Therapist

Reading list

We've selected 12 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Putting People First as a Business Analyst.
Cover image
Culture Rules
Save
Provides a complete overview of business analysis, providing a solid foundation for current or potential business analysts.
Culture Rules: The Leader's Guide to Creating the...
Hardcover
$
Culture Rules: The Leader's Guide to Creating the...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
The Agile Guide to Business Analysis and Planning
Save
This popular reference tool for business analysts, covering various topics in business analysis including requirements elicitation and documentation, process mapping, and feasibility analysis.
Agile Guide to Business Analysis and Planning, The:...
Paperback
$$
Agile Guide to Business Analysis and Planning, The:...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Practical Management of Pain
Save
Serves as a useful resource for business analysts seeking to improve the quality of their work and deliverables.
Practical Management of Pain (PRACTICAL MANAGEMENT...
Hardcover
$$$$
Cover image
Organizational Stress
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of conflict management for business analysts. It covers topics such as identifying and resolving conflict, negotiating, and building consensus. This book would be particularly useful for business analysts who want to improve their conflict management skills.
Organizational Stress: A Review and Critique of...
Paperback
$$$
Organizational Stress: A Review and Critique of...
Kindle Edition
$$$
Cover image
Communicating Knowledge
Save
Provides a comprehensive guide to communicating with stakeholders. It covers topics such as stakeholder analysis, communication planning, and communication methods. This book would be particularly useful for business analysts who want to improve their communication skills or who are working on projects with complex stakeholder relationships.
Communicating Knowledge (Working Methods for...
Kindle Edition
$$$
Cover image
HBR Guide to Building Your Business Case
Save
Provides a comprehensive guide to building a business case. It covers topics such as business case development, business case analysis, and business case presentation. This book would be particularly useful for business analysts who want to improve their business case writing skills or who are working on projects that require a business case.
HBR Guide to Building Your Business Case (HBR Guide...
Paperback
$$
HBR Guide to Building Your Business Case (HBR Guide...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
A PRACTITIONER'S GUIDE TO BUSINESS ANALYTICS: Using...
Save
Takes a broad look at business analysis. It includes general business analysis principles and methods, as well as specific information on how to work well with people as a business analyst. This book provides the foundation of business analysis.
A PRACTITIONER'S GUIDE TO BUSINESS ANALYTICS: Using...
Hardcover
$$$
A PRACTITIONER'S GUIDE TO BUSINESS ANALYTICS: Using...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Getting Past No
Save
Provides a practical guide to negotiation. It covers topics such as negotiation strategies, negotiation tactics, and negotiation ethics. This book would be particularly useful for business analysts who want to improve their negotiation skills or who are working on projects with complex stakeholder relationships.
Getting Past No
Paperback
Check
Getting Past No
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
The Friction Project
Save
Provides a practical guide to influencing others. It covers topics such as persuasion, negotiation, and building relationships. This book would be particularly useful for business analysts who want to improve their influencing skills.
The Friction Project: How Smart Leaders Make the...
Hardcover
$$
The Friction Project, How Work Works, F**k Work,...
Paperback
$$$
The Friction Project: How Smart Leaders Make the...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Systems Analysis and Design
Save
Is commonly used as a textbook at academic institutions for a course on system analysis and design. It provides thorough coverage of the subject and valuable resource for business analysts who want to learn more about the technical aspects of business analysis.
Systems Analysis and Design
Paperback
$$$
Systems Analysis and Design
Paperback
$$$
Systems Analysis and Design
Paperback
$$$
Systems Analysis and Design
Hardcover
$$
Systems Analysis and Design 5E with Syst Analysis &...
Hardcover
$$$
Systems Analysis and Design, 8th Edition
Kindle Edition
$$$$
Cover image
Data Analytics & Visualization All-in-One For...
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of data analysis for business analysts. It covers topics such as data collection, data analysis, and data visualization. This book would be particularly useful for business analysts who want to improve their data analysis skills.
Data Analytics & Visualization All-in-One For...
Paperback
$$
Data Analytics & Visualization All-in-One For...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Networking for Career Success
Save
Provides a comprehensive guide to networking. It covers topics such as building relationships, finding mentors, and using social media. This book would be particularly useful for business analysts who want to improve their networking skills.
Networking for Career Success
Paperback
Check
Networking for Career Success
Kindle Edition
Check

Share

Help others find this course page by sharing it with your friends and followers:
Facebook
LinkedIn
Reddit
X
Link
Email

Similar courses

Here are nine courses similar to Putting People First as a Business Analyst.
Leadership and organizational behavior
Most relevant
Dealing With External Stakeholders In A Diverse...
Most relevant
Product Owner: Communications & Stakeholder Management
Most relevant
Leadership for Project Managers: Leading People and...
Most relevant
Leading transformations: Manage change
Most relevant
How to Influence Stakeholders using Ethical Office...
Most relevant
Human Capital: Foundations and Essentials
Most relevant
7-in-1 Executive Presence Masterclass
Most relevant
Communicating with Empathy in the Workplace
Most relevant

Pluralsight Buyer Protection & Guarantee

Verified partner policies & purchase protections

Enterprise Technology Platform
Free Trial & Audit

10-Day Free Trial

10-day free trial (up to 200 minutes of content) with access to the Skills video library and skill assessments. Cancel before day 10 to avoid automatic conversion.

Return & Refund Policy

Cancel Anytime (Non-Refundable Once Billed)

Cancel easily online anytime before the 10-day trial expires to prevent billing. Once subscription fees are paid, individual subscriptions are non-refundable (cancellation stops future renewals).

Buyer Protections

Verified Academic & Industry Partner

Skill IQ and Role IQ diagnostic benchmark assessments, hands-on lab environments, and curated learning paths designed by technology leaders.

Key Purchase Protections
10-day free trial on individual Skills plans
Skill IQ assessments to benchmark proficiency
Cancel anytime online before trial ends without fees
Hands-on interactive labs and enterprise-grade tech content
OpenCourser Verified Partner Policy details last reviewed: 2026-10-22
Course image
Time
98 hours
Level
Introductory
Via
Pluralsight
Instructor
Heather Mylan-Mains
Language
English
This course belongs to a collection called Becoming a Business Analyst. It's comprised of five courses:
  1. So You Want to Be a Business Analyst
  2. Putting People First as a Business Analyst (viewing)
  3. Living in an IT Team as a Business Analyst
  4. The Technical Business Analyst
  5. Life Beyond Business Analysis
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Develops soft skills such as conflict management, influence, and advocacy, which are essential for business analysts
Emphasizes the importance of understanding people, a core skill for business analysts
Provides a solid foundation for those looking to build a career in business analysis
Taught by an experienced instructor with expertise in business analysis
Covers essential topics such as managing conflict, influencing others, and advocating for stakeholders
Lacks hands-on exercises and practical examples, which may limit its effectiveness for some learners
Share this
Share to help others discover this course.
Facebook LinkedIn X Reddit Link Email
Begin learning today
This course is currently discontinued or unavailable. See active alternatives above.
Course Unavailable
Save for later
Add this course to your list. Find it anytime.
Save
Our mission

OpenCourser helps millions of learners each year. People visit us to learn workspace skills, ace their exams, and nurture their curiosity.

Our extensive catalog contains over 50,000 courses and twice as many books. Browse by search, by topic, or even by career interests. We'll match you to the right resources quickly.

Find this site helpful? Tell a friend about us.

Affiliate disclosure

We're supported by our community of learners. When you purchase or subscribe to courses and programs or purchase books, we may earn a commission from our partners.

Your purchases help us maintain our catalog and keep our servers humming without ads.

Thank you for supporting OpenCourser.

© 2016 - 2025 OpenCourser