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Ken Reily

Most often, organizations acquire information systems as part of a larger focus on process improvement and efficiency. These organizations need to invest in the right system to meet their needs: right functionality, right size, and for the right price. The business systems analyst role in most organizations is responsible for translating the organization’s needs into requirements, which are then used to select or build the right system for the organization.

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Most often, organizations acquire information systems as part of a larger focus on process improvement and efficiency. These organizations need to invest in the right system to meet their needs: right functionality, right size, and for the right price. The business systems analyst role in most organizations is responsible for translating the organization’s needs into requirements, which are then used to select or build the right system for the organization.

During the Analysis for Business Systems course, you’ll learn about the standard model for systems development: the systems development lifecycle, or SDLC. You will learn how to read and even create the specific deliverables that business systems analysts prepare during the SDLC. These documents provide guidance to the organization as they determine whether to build or buy and configure a system that meets the organization’s needs.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction to Business Systems
Analysis Phase Documentation
Analysis Phase Diagrams
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Design Phase Overview
Course Project

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Explores standard model for systems development, the systems development lifecycle, or SDLC
Teaches how to read and create the deliverables that business systems analysts prepare during the SDLC
Provides guidance to organizations as they determine whether to build or buy and configure a system that meets the organization’s needs
Introduces Business Systems
Covers Analysis Phase Documentation
Covers Analysis Phase Diagrams
Covers Design Phase Overview
Includes a Course Project

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Reviews summary

Analysis for business systems: solid beginner course

Learners say that this is a largely positive course that largely positive lectures and course materials. Reviews indicate that this engaging course is a well-presented introduction to business analysis. Students remark that the instructor is knowledgeable and does a good job of explaining concepts. Overall, learners say this is a well-received course that is useful for beginners.
Knowledgeable and engaging instructor
"Thanks to University of Minnesota for bringing this course as it has broaden my knowledge."
"I must say it was an incredible learning experience."
"This course exceeded my expectations, it was very straightforward and informative"
Well-structured course with clear explanations
"Well written and presented."
"The course is very well explained and structured"
"T​his is a great course, and Prof. Ken Reily is fantastic!"
Well-structured and informative course content
"Really good course, solid foundation for business analyst."
"The course provides exceptional in depth review about the roles and responsibilities of a business analyst"
"Great explanations, in the most concise form."
Vague final project requirements
"The peer review project is very vague for a person who does not have prior experience with this."
"I don't agree with a full-course coverage put in a final project and obliged the student to check each other's work."
"Though the informational part is pretty packed, I doubt that the knowledge is given in an effective way."

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 Analysis for Business Systems with these activities:
Review Course Materials and Resources
Take some time to review the course materials and resources. This will help you to get a good overview of the course content and identify any areas where you need to focus your attention.
Show steps
  • Review the course syllabus.
  • Read the textbooks and other required readings.
  • Complete the online quizzes and assignments.
Find Online Tutorials on SDLC
This course provides a general overview of SDLC. Review some tutorials to enhance your understanding of the SDLC framework and best practices.
Show steps
  • Search online for tutorials on SDLC.
  • Watch several tutorials and take notes.
  • Review your notes and identify any areas where you need more information.
Join a Course Discussion Group
Participating in a discussion group can help you to stay motivated and on track. You can also learn from your peers and get help with your coursework.
Show steps
  • Find a course discussion group.
  • Introduce yourself and share your goals for the course.
  • Participate in the discussions and ask questions.
Four other activities
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Show all seven activities
Practice SDLC Diagramming
Creating diagrams is an important part of Systems Analysis. Practice drawing these diagrams to solidify your understanding of how systems work.
Show steps
  • Choose a simple system, such as a to-do list or a shopping list.
  • Identify the major components of the system and the relationships between them.
  • Draw a diagram that represents the system, using standard SDLC notation.
Find a Mentor in the Field of Business Systems Analysis
A mentor can provide you with guidance and support as you learn about business systems analysis. They can also help you to connect with other professionals in the field.
Show steps
  • Identify potential mentors.
  • Reach out to potential mentors and introduce yourself.
  • Set up regular meetings with your mentor.
  • Ask your mentor for advice and guidance on your career.
Create a Business Systems Analysis Document
This document will help you to organize your thoughts and ideas about the system. It will also be a valuable resource for the development team.
Show steps
  • Identify the stakeholders and their needs.
  • Gather information about the current system.
  • Analyze the information and identify the system requirements.
  • Write a business systems analysis document that describes the system requirements.
Contribute to Open Source Projects Related to Business Systems Analysis
Contributing to open source projects is a great way to learn about business systems analysis and to develop your skills. It can also help you to build your network and connect with other professionals in the field.
Show steps
  • Find open source projects related to business systems analysis.
  • Identify ways to contribute to the project.
  • Contact the project maintainers and discuss your ideas.
  • Start contributing to the project.

Career center

Learners who complete Analysis for Business Systems will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Systems Analyst
Systems Analysts design, develop, and implement computer systems. They work with users to gather requirements, develop system specifications, and create prototypes. The Analysis for Business Systems course provides a foundation in the systems development lifecycle (SDLC), which is a framework for developing and implementing information systems. This course will help Systems Analysts understand the different phases of the SDLC and the deliverables that are produced during each phase. This knowledge will help them to work more effectively with users and to develop better systems for their organizations.
Business Analyst
Business Analysts help organizations improve their business processes by analyzing their needs and recommending solutions. They work with stakeholders to gather requirements, develop system specifications, and create prototypes. The Analysis for Business Systems course provides a foundation in the systems development lifecycle (SDLC), which is a framework for developing and implementing information systems. This course will help Business Analysts understand the different phases of the SDLC and the deliverables that are produced during each phase. This knowledge will help them to work more effectively with stakeholders and to develop better solutions for their organizations.
Software Engineer
Software Engineers design, develop, and maintain software systems. They work with users to gather requirements, develop system specifications, and create prototypes. The Analysis for Business Systems course provides a foundation in the systems development lifecycle (SDLC), which is a framework for developing and implementing information systems. This course will help Software Engineers understand the different phases of the SDLC and the deliverables that are produced during each phase. This knowledge will help them to work more effectively with users and to develop better software systems for their organizations.
Data Analyst
Data Analysts gather, analyze, and interpret data to help organizations make better decisions. They work with stakeholders to identify data needs, develop data collection plans, and create reports and visualizations. The Analysis for Business Systems course provides a foundation in data analysis techniques and tools. This course will help Data Analysts to gather, analyze, and interpret data more effectively, and to communicate their findings to stakeholders in a clear and concise way.
Business Intelligence Analyst
Business Intelligence Analysts use data to help organizations make better decisions. They work with stakeholders to identify data needs, develop data collection plans, and create reports and visualizations. The Analysis for Business Systems course provides a foundation in data analysis techniques and tools. This course will help Business Intelligence Analysts to gather, analyze, and interpret data more effectively, and to communicate their findings to stakeholders in a clear and concise way.
Process Improvement Specialist
Process Improvement Specialists help organizations improve their business processes by analyzing their needs and recommending solutions. They work with stakeholders to identify inefficiencies, develop improvement plans, and implement change. The Analysis for Business Systems course provides a foundation in process improvement techniques and tools. This course will help Process Improvement Specialists to identify inefficiencies, develop improvement plans, and implement change more effectively, and to communicate with stakeholders throughout the process improvement process.
Product Manager
Product Managers are responsible for the development and launch of new products. They work with stakeholders to define product requirements, develop product roadmaps, and track product performance. The Analysis for Business Systems course provides a foundation in product management techniques and tools. This course will help Product Managers to define product requirements, develop product roadmaps, and track product performance more effectively, and to communicate with stakeholders throughout the product lifecycle.
Consultant
Consultants provide advice and guidance to organizations on a variety of topics. They work with clients to identify problems, develop solutions, and implement change. The Analysis for Business Systems course provides a foundation in business analysis techniques and tools. This course will help Consultants to identify problems, develop solutions, and implement change more effectively, and to communicate with clients throughout the consulting process.
Information Architect
Information Architects design and implement information systems. They work with users to gather requirements, develop system specifications, and create prototypes. The Analysis for Business Systems course provides a foundation in information architecture techniques and tools. This course will help Information Architects to design and implement information systems more effectively, and to communicate with users throughout the information architecture process.
Business Process Analyst
Business Process Analysts analyze business processes and identify areas for improvement. They work with stakeholders to develop process maps, process flows, and process documentation. The Analysis for Business Systems course provides a foundation in business process analysis techniques and tools. This course will help Business Process Analysts to analyze business processes more effectively, and to communicate with stakeholders throughout the business process analysis process.
Project Manager
Project Managers plan, execute, and close projects. They work with stakeholders to define project scope, develop project plans, and track project progress. The Analysis for Business Systems course provides a foundation in project management techniques and tools. This course will help Project Managers to plan, execute, and close projects more effectively, and to communicate with stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle.
User Experience Designer
User Experience Designers design and evaluate the user experience of products and services. They work with users to gather requirements, develop prototypes, and test products and services. The Analysis for Business Systems course provides a foundation in user experience design techniques and tools. This course will help User Experience Designers to design and evaluate the user experience of products and services more effectively, and to communicate with users throughout the user experience design process.
Data Engineer
Data Engineers design, build, and maintain data pipelines. They work with stakeholders to identify data needs, develop data pipelines, and deploy data pipelines. The Analysis for Business Systems course provides a foundation in data engineering techniques and tools. This course will help Data Engineers to design, build, and maintain data pipelines more effectively, and to communicate with stakeholders throughout the data engineering process.
Machine Learning Engineer
Machine Learning Engineers develop and implement machine learning models. They work with stakeholders to identify machine learning needs, develop machine learning models, and deploy machine learning models. The Analysis for Business Systems course provides a foundation in machine learning techniques and tools. This course will help Machine Learning Engineers to identify machine learning needs, develop machine learning models, and deploy machine learning models more effectively, and to communicate with stakeholders throughout the machine learning process.
Data Scientist
Data Scientists use data to solve problems and make predictions. They work with stakeholders to identify data needs, develop data collection plans, and create data models. The Analysis for Business Systems course provides a foundation in data science techniques and tools. This course will help Data Scientists to identify data needs, develop data collection plans, and create data models more effectively, and to communicate with stakeholders throughout the data science process.

Reading list

We've selected ten 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 Analysis for Business Systems.
Provides a comprehensive overview of object-oriented systems analysis and design using UML. It covers topics such as object-oriented modeling, design patterns, and software engineering.
Provides a comprehensive overview of software engineering. It covers topics such as software development processes, software requirements, and software design.
Provides a practical guide to business systems analysis. It covers topics such as business process modeling, data modeling, and system requirements.
Provides a lean approach to starting and managing a business. It covers topics such as customer development, agile development, and pivoting.
Provides a classic overview of the innovator's dilemma. It covers topics such as the challenges of innovation, the role of disruption, and the need for ambidextrous organizations.
Provides a simple and practical framework for developing good strategy. It covers topics such as the three elements of good strategy, the four tests of good strategy, and the ten deadly sins of bad strategy.
Provides a fable about the five dysfunctions of a team. It covers topics such as the absence of trust, fear of conflict, lack of commitment, avoidance of accountability, and inattention to results.
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Provides a new understanding of what motivates people. It covers topics such as the importance of autonomy, mastery, and purpose.
Provides a new understanding of introverts. It covers topics such as the strengths and challenges of introverts, the importance of creating introvert-friendly workplaces, and the need for a more introverted world.

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