Fundamentals of Business Analysis from Coursera

Learn the fundamental skills for becoming a Business Analyst, including understanding the role of business analysis in the organization, what makes a good business analyst, and gaining a collection of foundational skills used by all the BAs regardless of industry or level of seniority such as: applying analysis to determine the business needs, identifying the stakeholders, gathering and documenting different types of requirements, ensuring the solutions deliver the expected value.

The course offers a comprehensive overview of business analysis methodology and approaches.

It combines the theory from industry standards with practical advice and recommendations. You will learn the methodology, the key skills of a BA and the role a Business Analyst plays in the organization.

The course is broken down into 5 main lessons:

• What is business analysis: introduction to the profession and key definitions.

• The core of business analysis: key concepts of business analysis, working with needs, defining the future state, and recommending solutions.

• Scope management: main elements of defining the scope of change, four types of requirements any project has.

• Quality management: the connection between business analysis and quality management, how a BA can contribute to quality.

• Change management: how to deal with change

Content for the course is designed and delivered by Igor Arkhipov who is a certified business analysis professional and industry expert with over 15 years of experience in corporate project environments.

This course is designed for anyone interested in business analysis.

It will be especially useful for aspiring business analysts or other professionals who can benefit from BA skills and methodology, such as project managers, system analysts, change managers, and UX designers.

There are no formal prerequisites for the course, however, some understanding of what is a project and how people usually collaborate in working environments will help.

What's inside

Syllabus

Fundamentals of Business Analysis

Learn the fundamental skills for becoming a Business Analyst, including understanding the role of business analysis in the organization, what makes a good business analyst, and gaining a collection of foundational skills used by all the business analysts regardless of industry or level of seniority such as: applying analysis to determine the business needs, identifying the stakeholders, gathering and documenting different types of requirements, ensuring the solutions deliver the expected value.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Introduces essential business analysis skills

Provides a comprehensive overview of business analysis methodology

Appropriate for professionals seeking to enhance their business analysis skills

May require additional prerequisite knowledge for beginners

Lacks hands-on labs or interactive materials

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 Fundamentals of Business Analysis with these activities:

Connect with experienced business analysts on LinkedIn

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Establish connections with professionals in the field to gain insights, expand your network, and enhance your learning experience.

Browse courses on Mentorship

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Use LinkedIn's search function to identify business analysts in your area or industry.
Send personalized connection requests, highlighting your interest in business analysis and seeking their mentorship.
Attend virtual or in-person networking events to connect with business analysts.

Read 'Business Analysis for Beginners' by James Cadle

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Complement the course with a well-regarded introductory book, providing a comprehensive foundation in business analysis fundamentals.

View Business Analysis Techniques: 123 essential... on Amazon

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Purchase or borrow the book 'Business Analysis for Beginners' by James Cadle.
Read the book thoroughly, taking notes and highlighting important concepts.
Complete the end-of-chapter exercises to test your understanding.

Walkthrough of a business analysis case study

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Gain practical insights by following along with an expert as they analyze a real-world business problem.

Browse courses on Business Analysis

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Find a case study or tutorial that aligns with the concepts you're learning in the course.
Follow along with the expert's analysis, paying attention to the steps they take and the decisions they make.
Replicate the analysis on your own, using the same case study or a similar one.

Four other activities

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Create a mind map or concept diagram of business analysis processes

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Gain a deeper understanding by visually representing the steps and relationships within business analysis processes.

Browse courses on Business Analysis

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Choose a mind mapping or concept diagramming tool, such as MindMeister or Lucidchart.
Start with a central topic, such as 'Business Analysis Process'.
Add branches to represent the different steps or phases of the process.
Use sub-branches to show details or relationships between the steps.

Create a small-scale requirements gathering tool

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Create a simple tool for gathering requirements using a familiar software tool of your choice. This will help you solidify your understanding of gathering requirements and their importance in business analysis.

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Choose a software tool that you are familiar with, such as Excel, Google Sheets, or Airtable.
Design a simple template for gathering requirements. This should include fields for the requirement name, description, stakeholder, and priority.
Share the template with a group of stakeholders and ask them to provide input on their requirements.
Use the feedback from stakeholders to refine your template and create a final version.
Share the final tool with your instructor or peers for feedback.

Practice identifying stakeholders

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Stakeholder identification is a key skill for business analysts. This activity will help you develop your skills in identifying stakeholders.

Browse courses on Stakeholder Analysis

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Read a case study or article about a business problem.
Identify all of the stakeholders who are involved in the problem.
Categorize the stakeholders based on their level of interest and influence.

Discuss and analyze real-world business scenarios

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Engage in discussions with peers to apply what you're learning to practical situations, solidifying your understanding of business analysis.

Browse courses on Business Analysis

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Form study groups of 3-4 people.
Identify real-world business scenarios or case studies that you can use for analysis.
Take turns presenting the scenario or case study to your group.
Lead the group discussion, guiding your peers through the analysis process.

Career center

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

Business Analyst

Business Analysts (BAs) are responsible for understanding the needs of a business and translating those needs into technical specifications that can be used by developers to create software applications. This course provides a comprehensive overview of the business analysis process, from gathering requirements to developing and implementing solutions. It also covers the key skills and knowledge that BAs need to be successful in their roles. This course is a valuable resource for anyone who wants to become a BA or advance their career in the field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

UX Designer

UX Designers are responsible for designing the user experience of websites, software applications, and other digital products. They work with users to understand their needs and create designs that are both user-friendly and aesthetically pleasing. This course provides a foundation in the principles of UX design and the skills needed to be successful in the role. It covers topics such as user research, user interface design, and prototyping. This course is a valuable resource for anyone who wants to become a UX Designer or advance their career in the field.

See salaries and explore the career path for UX Designer

Project Manager

Project Managers are responsible for planning, executing, and closing projects. They work with stakeholders to define project scope, develop project plans, and track project progress. This course provides a foundation in the principles of project management and the skills needed to be successful in the role. It covers topics such as project planning, scope management, risk management, and stakeholder management. This course is a valuable resource for anyone who wants to become a Project Manager or advance their career in the field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Change Manager

Change Managers are responsible for planning, implementing, and supporting organizational change. They work with stakeholders to identify and assess the impact of change, develop change strategies, and communicate change to employees. This course provides a foundation in the principles of change management and the skills needed to be successful in the role. It covers topics such as change management, stakeholder management, and communication. This course is a valuable resource for anyone who wants to become a Change Manager or advance their career in the field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Change Manager

Systems Analyst

Systems Analysts work with businesses to analyze their systems and processes and identify areas for improvement. They then design and implement new systems or modify existing ones to meet the needs of the business. This course provides a foundation in the principles of systems analysis and the skills needed to be successful in the role. It covers topics such as systems analysis, design, and implementation. This course is a valuable resource for anyone who wants to become a Systems Analyst or advance their career in the field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Analyst

Data Analyst

Data Analysts are responsible for collecting, cleaning, and analyzing data to identify trends and patterns. They then use this information to make recommendations to businesses on how to improve their operations. This course provides a foundation in the principles of data analysis and the skills needed to be successful in the role. It covers topics such as data collection, data cleaning, and data analysis. This course is a valuable resource for anyone who wants to become a Data Analyst or advance their career in the field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Software Engineer

Software Engineers are responsible for designing, developing, and testing software applications. They work with users to understand their needs and create software that meets those needs. This course provides a foundation in the principles of software engineering and the skills needed to be successful in the role. It covers topics such as software design, development, and testing. While this course does not provide the technical depth required to become a Software Engineer, it can be a helpful starting point for those who are interested in the field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Product Manager

Product Managers are responsible for planning, developing, and launching new products. They work with stakeholders to define product requirements, develop product roadmaps, and track product progress. This course provides a foundation in the principles of product management and the skills needed to be successful in the role. It covers topics such as product planning, development, and launch. This course is a valuable resource for anyone who wants to become a Product Manager or advance their career in the field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager

Business Development Manager

Business Development Managers are responsible for generating new business for their companies. They work with potential customers to identify their needs and develop solutions that meet those needs. This course provides a foundation in the principles of business development and the skills needed to be successful in the role. It covers topics such as sales, marketing, and customer relationship management. This course is a valuable resource for anyone who wants to become a Business Development Manager or advance their career in the field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Development Manager

Management Consultant

Management Consultants work with businesses to identify and solve problems. They analyze businesses, develop recommendations, and help implement those recommendations. This course provides a foundation in the principles of management consulting and the skills needed to be successful in the role. It covers topics such as business analysis, problem-solving, and communication. This course is a valuable resource for anyone who wants to become a Management Consultant or advance their career in the field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Management Consultant

Financial Analyst

Financial Analysts are responsible for analyzing financial data and making recommendations on investments. They work with clients to develop investment strategies and manage their portfolios. This course provides a foundation in the principles of financial analysis and the skills needed to be successful in the role. It covers topics such as financial statement analysis, valuation, and portfolio management. While this course does not provide the technical depth required to become a Financial Analyst, it can be a helpful starting point for those who are interested in the field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Analyst

Marketing Manager

Marketing Managers are responsible for planning, developing, and executing marketing campaigns. They work with customers to understand their needs and develop marketing strategies that reach those customers. This course provides a foundation in the principles of marketing and the skills needed to be successful in the role. It covers topics such as market research, marketing strategy, and campaign management. This course is a valuable resource for anyone who wants to become a Marketing Manager or advance their career in the field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager

IT Manager

IT Managers are responsible for planning, organizing, and directing the IT resources of an organization. They work with employees to ensure that the organization's IT systems are running smoothly and efficiently. This course provides a foundation in the principles of IT management and the skills needed to be successful in the role. It covers topics such as IT planning, budgeting, and project management. This course is a valuable resource for anyone who wants to become an IT Manager or advance their career in the field.

See salaries and explore the career path for IT Manager

Operations Manager

Operations Managers are responsible for planning, organizing, and directing the operations of an organization. They work with employees to ensure that the organization is running smoothly and efficiently. This course provides a foundation in the principles of operations management and the skills needed to be successful in the role. It covers topics such as operations planning, scheduling, and quality control. This course is a valuable resource for anyone who wants to become an Operations Manager or advance their career in the field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Operations Manager

Human Resources Manager

Human Resources Managers are responsible for managing the human resources of an organization. They work with employees to ensure that they are treated fairly and that they have the resources they need to be successful. This course provides a foundation in the principles of human resources management and the skills needed to be successful in the role. It covers topics such as employee relations, compensation and benefits, and training and development. This course is a valuable resource for anyone who wants to become a Human Resources Manager or advance their career in the field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Human Resources Manager