Business plan courses can help you learn market analysis, financial forecasting, operational planning, and effective pitching techniques. You can build skills in identifying target audiences, crafting value propositions, and developing marketing strategies. Many courses introduce tools like SWOT analysis, business model canvases, and financial modeling software, which can enhance your ability to create comprehensive and persuasive business plans.

Michigan State University
Skills you'll gain: Financial Statements, Intellectual Property, Value Propositions, Business Planning, Design Thinking, Ideation, Innovation, Income Statement, Entrepreneurship, Customer Acquisition Management, Business Modeling, Product Development, Balance Sheet, Market Opportunities, Verification And Validation, Creative Thinking, Lean Methodologies, Open Mindset, Resource Management, Leadership
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

University of Virginia
Skills you'll gain: Growth Strategies, Business Strategy, Strategic Thinking, Plan Execution, Mergers & Acquisitions, Competitive Analysis, Organizational Strategy, Business Ethics, Peer Review, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Corporate Strategy, Strategic Leadership, Business Planning, Strategic Decision-Making, Governance, Stakeholder Management, New Business Development, Business Research, Analysis, Project Management
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

University of Maryland, College Park
Skills you'll gain: Customer Analysis, Commercialization, Product Planning, Business Modeling, Strategic Decision-Making, Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Entrepreneurial Finance, Market Opportunities, Business Planning, New Product Development, Sales Strategy, Sales Pipelines, Ideation, Sales Presentation, Customer Insights, Product Development, Team Building, Capital Markets, Finance
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

University of Pennsylvania
Skills you'll gain: Financial Statements, Operations Management, Operational Efficiency, Financial Statement Analysis, Return On Investment, Accrual Accounting, Human Capital, Process Analysis, Branding, Financial Accounting, Marketing, Process Management, People Management, Strategic Marketing, Capital Budgeting, Financial Reporting, Finance, Peer Review, Project Design, Corporate Finance
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

Skills you'll gain: Intellectual Property, Adobe Express, Adobe Firefly, Entrepreneurship, Business Planning, Marketing Communications, Adobe Creative Cloud, Marketing, Campaign Management, Adobe Acrobat, Creative Problem-Solving, Presentations, Creative Thinking, Creativity, Content Creation, Social Media, Branding, Digital Content, Client Services, A/B Testing
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

Skills you'll gain: Process Analysis, Business Process, Business Analysis, Workflow Management, Process Management, Process Flow Diagrams, Business Process Modeling, Stakeholder Management, Stakeholder Analysis, Computer Literacy
Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours

Skills you'll gain: Quality Management, Project Closure, Scope Management, Team Management, Sprint Retrospectives, Project Management, Project Planning, Agile Project Management, Backlogs, Project Scoping, Project Management Life Cycle, Stakeholder Analysis, Project Controls, Project Risk Management, Project Implementation, Agile Methodology, Communication Planning, Change Management, Interviewing Skills, Applicant Tracking Systems
Build toward a degree
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months

University of Virginia
Skills you'll gain: Financial Statements, Financial Accounting, Balance Sheet, Financial Reporting, Financial Statement Analysis, Design Thinking, Accounting, Annual Reports, Innovation, Process Design, Business Modeling, Entrepreneurship, Philanthropy, Leadership Development, Strategic Leadership, Corporate Sustainability, Professional Development, Business Ethics, Finance, HR Tech
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

ESSEC Business School
Skills you'll gain: Social Impact, Business Modeling, Market Research, Business Planning, Entrepreneurship, Sustainable Business, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Marketing, Customer Analysis, Stakeholder Analysis, Business Development, Needs Assessment, Target Audience, Entrepreneurial Finance, Governance, Financial Forecasting
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

Tecnológico de Monterrey
Skills you'll gain: Design Thinking, Innovation, Business Modeling, Creative Problem-Solving, Entrepreneurship, Ideation, Lean Methodologies, Process Development, Creative Thinking, New Product Development, Business Architecture, Creativity, Storytelling, Corporate Strategy, Team Management, Business Strategies, Business Strategy, Organizational Strategy, Customer experience improvement, Customer Engagement
Advanced · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

IE Business School
Skills you'll gain: Survey Creation, Surveys, Marketing Planning, Market Research, Business Research, Product Marketing, Consumer Behaviour, Value Propositions, Market Analysis, Marketing, Business Planning, Marketing Channel, Peer Review, Case Studies, Target Market, Research Design, Data Analysis, Marketing Communications, Marketing Strategies, Product Strategy
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

Skills you'll gain: Business Planning, Competitive Analysis, Product Management, Market Analysis, Collaborative Software, Business Modeling, Version Control, Business Strategy, Organizational Skills, Business Writing, Organizational Structure, Business Priorities
Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Careers related to business planning are diverse and can be found in various sectors. Some potential job titles include Business Analyst, Project Manager, Business Development Manager, and Entrepreneur. These roles often involve creating and implementing business strategies, analyzing market trends, and ensuring that business objectives are met. Additionally, positions in consulting firms or startups may require strong business planning skills to help organizations grow and adapt.
Some of the best online courses for learning about business planning include Planning: Principled, Proposing, Proofing, and Practicing to a Success Plan and Action-Driven Business Plan: From the ‘Classroom' to the World. These courses provide practical insights and frameworks that can help you create effective business plans.
Typical topics covered in business plan courses include market analysis, competitive analysis, financial projections, marketing strategies, and operational planning. Courses may also address how to present a business plan effectively and the importance of adapting the plan as the business evolves. Understanding these topics can provide a comprehensive foundation for creating a successful business plan.
For training and upskilling employees in business planning, courses like IBM Business Analyst Professional Certificate and Google Business Intelligence Professional Certificate can be particularly beneficial. These programs equip learners with essential skills in data analysis and strategic planning, which are crucial for effective business decision-making.