Business Analysis Fundamentals from Coursera

If you're interested in a career in business analysis but don't know where to start, you've arrived at the right place!

This course has been designed for individuals seeking entry-level positions in Business Analysis. Whether you're a recent graduate, a career changer, or someone looking to kickstart your career in the tech industry, it will provide you with the foundational knowledge and practical skills needed to excel in the field of Business Analysis.

This course is part of a series that offers a good starting point for a career in business analysis. It will help you gain knowledge and skills related to essential business analysis concepts, principles, practical methods, and the responsibilities associated with business analysis. This course also gets you one step closer to the Microsoft Power Platform Fundamentals Certificate, which requires no degree or prior experience.

After completing this course, you’ll be able to:

• Describe basic concepts and principles of business analysis

• Explain the role of a business analyst within an organization

• Identify and analyze a business problem

• Identify and analyze stakeholders in a business project

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction to Business Analysis

In this module, you’ll explore the essential ideas and rules behind business analysis, including the core concepts and practical methods used in this field. You’ll discover the important responsibilities and tasks associated with this role, and see how it plays a key part in making important decisions and keeping everyone on the same page.

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Develops core business analysis skills, such as eliciting and analyzing requirements

Taught by Microsoft, who are recognized for their work in business software

Industry-relevant, as proven by its alignment with the Microsoft Power Platform Fundamentals Certificate

Well-structured, including a final project and assessment

Provides a blend of videos, readings, and hands-on activities, catering to various learning styles

Reviews summary

Solid foundation for entry-level business analysis

According to learners, this course serves as an excellent starting point for those new to business analysis, particularly career changers and recent graduates. Students consistently highlight the clear and concise explanations of fundamental concepts and the well-structured, bite-sized modules which make complex topics accessible. While it excels at providing a strong foundation and preparing learners for the Microsoft Power Platform Fundamentals Certificate, some reviewers note that it remains at a basic level and might not offer sufficient depth for those seeking advanced practical skills or with prior experience in related fields. The instructor's engaging delivery and the practical examples are frequently praised, making it a valuable introduction to the BA role.

Integrates real-world relevance through useful examples.

"The practical examples helped solidify my understanding. I particularly found the stakeholder analysis module very useful for real-world application."

"I learned how to use practical tools and strategies that I could apply immediately to my work."

"The content was highly relevant and the explanations were superb, offering actionable insights for the BA role."

Helps prepare for BA roles and related certifications.

"I completed this course as part of my journey into tech. It provided actionable insights and a clear roadmap for what a BA does."

"It really does prepare you for the Microsoft Power Platform Fundamentals Certificate."

"It will provide me with the foundational knowledge and practical skills needed to excel in the field of Business Analysis. "

Presents complex ideas accessibly through organized modules.

"The concepts were explained very clearly, and the practical examples helped solidify my understanding."

"Great foundational course. The modules are bite-sized and easy to follow. I appreciated how it broke down complex ideas into understandable chunks."

"Fantastic course for anyone looking to get into BA. The explanations of core concepts are very clear, and it covers all the essential areas."

Excellent for newcomers, providing clear basic concepts.

"Excellent course for anyone new to BA. The concepts were explained very clearly, and the practical examples helped solidify my understanding."

"A solid introduction to business analysis. It covers the fundamentals thoroughly. While I found it a bit slow at times, it's perfect for a beginner."

"This course truly demystifies BA. I had no prior experience, and now I feel confident in understanding the BA role and basic problem-solving. Highly recommend for career changers."

Content remains basic, not suitable for advanced topics.

"It's okay as a basic intro, but I was hoping for more depth on business process modeling or data analysis tools. It feels like just the tip of the iceberg."

"While the course is well-structured, I felt some parts were a bit too simplistic. As someone with a bit of project management background, I was hoping for more challenging scenarios."

"I found this course somewhat dry and theoretical. I was looking for more practical examples and less lecturing. Didn't quite meet my expectations for 'practical skills'."

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 Business Analysis Fundamentals with these activities:

Review "Business Analysis for Beginners" by David Harel

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Develop a solid foundation in business analysis by reading a book that covers the fundamentals and provides practical insights.

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Obtain a copy of the book.
Read the introduction and first chapter.
Summarize the key concepts presented in the chapter.
Identify any unfamiliar terms or concepts and research them.
Complete the end-of-chapter exercises (if any).

Review the Basic Principles of Systems Thinking

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Strengthen your foundation in business analysis by reviewing the core principles of systems thinking.

Browse courses on Business Analysis

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Revisit relevant course materials or articles on systems thinking.
Identify the key concepts and principles.
Reflect on how systems thinking can be applied to business analysis.

Follow a Tutorial on Stakeholder Analysis

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Gain practical knowledge of stakeholder analysis by following a step-by-step tutorial that guides you through the process.

Browse courses on Stakeholder Analysis

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Identify a tutorial on stakeholder analysis.
Follow the steps outlined in the tutorial.
Apply the techniques to a real-world scenario.
Reflect on your experience and identify areas for improvement.

Four other activities

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Conduct a Business Analysis of a Local Business

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Apply the principles of business analysis to a real-world scenario by conducting a comprehensive analysis of a local business.

Browse courses on Business Analysis

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Identify a local business to analyze.
Define the scope and objectives of your analysis.
Collect data from various sources (e.g., interviews, surveys, financial statements).
Analyze the data to identify business problems and opportunities.
Develop recommendations for improvement.

Participate in a Study Group or Discussion Forum

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Enhance your understanding of course concepts and connect with peers by actively participating in a study group or discussion forum.

Browse courses on Business Analysis

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Join a study group or discussion forum related to business analysis.
Prepare for discussions by completing assigned readings and researching topics.
Actively participate in discussions, asking questions and sharing insights.
Collaborate with peers on projects or assignments.

Write a Blog Post on Essential Business Analysis Techniques

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Enhance your understanding and recall of business analysis techniques by creating a blog post that summarizes and explains them.

Browse courses on Business Analysis

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Research and identify the most important business analysis techniques.
Develop an outline for your blog post.
Write the content, providing clear explanations and examples.
Proofread and edit your post.
Publish your blog post on a relevant platform.

Participate in a Business Case Competition

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Challenge yourself and apply your business analysis skills in a competitive setting by participating in a business case competition.

Browse courses on Business Analysis

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Identify a business case competition that aligns with your interests.
Form a team or work individually.
Analyze the case study and develop a comprehensive solution.
Prepare and deliver a presentation or submit a written report.
Reflect on your performance and identify areas for future improvement.

Career center

Learners who complete Business Analysis Fundamentals will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

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Business Analysis Fundamentals

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What's inside

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Solid foundation for entry-level business analysis

Activities

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