Who are the target audience for this course?

<text variant="body1">This course is designed for aspiring Business Analysts who want to start their career in this job role. <text variant="body1">It is also beneficial for current Business Analysts seeking to sharpen their skills.

How long does it take to complete the Professional Certificate?

<text variant="body1">This professional certificate is self-paced, that is, you can allocate your time commitment based on your schedule. <text variant="body1">For example, if you spend 8–10 hours/week, you can complete the program in approximately 3 months. <text variant="body1">If you spend less time, for example,4-5 hours/week, you can complete the program in 6 months.

Who should take this specialization?

<text variant="body1">This PC is suitable for those aspiring to or currently working in business analysis, including: <text variant="body1">Professionals transitioning into a Business Analyst role <text variant="body1">Graduates or students interested in pursuing a career in business analysis <text variant="body1">Individuals from various backgrounds with an interest in data analysis, IT, and business processes <text variant="body1">Anyone seeking to acquire the technical and soft skills needed to excel as a Business Analyst <text variant="body1">Business Analysts looking to deepen their expertise in specific areas or topics <text variant="body1">Professionals seeking the formal knowledge and skills required for the ECBA certification

What background knowledge is necessary?

<text variant="body1">This certificate is suitable for anyone interested in becoming a Business Analyst and does not require any prior experience in the field. <text variant="body1">You should have basic computer literacy and a working knowledge of Office productivity tools, such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Do I need to take the courses in a specific order?

The courses in this certificate have been designed in a logical sequence. It is recommended that the courses be taken in the order they are presented to derive maximum learning.

What does a business analyst do?

A business analyst identifies business needs, analyzes processes, and recommends solutions to improve efficiency and effectiveness. They also gather and interpret data, communicate with stakeholders, and help implement changes to drive business success.

How does a business analyst contribute to a company’s success?

Business analysts help companies make data-driven decisions, streamline operations, and implement effective solutions, leading to increased productivity, reduced costs, and improved overall performance.

What skills are essential for a business analyst?

Essential skills for a business analyst include strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, excellent communication and interpersonal skills, proficiency in data analysis tools, and a solid understanding of business processes and IT systems.

When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?

To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.

What will I get if I subscribe to this Certificate?

When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Certificate, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.

Introduction to Business Analysis

Introduction to Business Analysis

This course is part of multiple programs.

Instructors: Rav Ahuja

57,061 already enrolled

Included with

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4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

452 reviews

Beginner level

Recommended experience

Flexible schedule

1 week at 10 hours a week

Learn at your own pace

96%

Most learners liked this course

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

452 reviews

Beginner level

Recommended experience

Flexible schedule

1 week at 10 hours a week

Learn at your own pace

96%

Most learners liked this course

What you'll learn

Job-ready skills you need to kickstart your career as a business analyst (Aligned with the BABOK Guide)
Develop hands-on practical skills and prepare for ECBA certification valued by employers
Strategies and methods for process modeling, requirements gathering, stakeholder engagement, and project management
Fundamental concepts, tools, and techniques for systems analysis, data analysis, and visualization

Skills you'll gain

Tools you'll learn

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

10 assignments

Taught in English

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

Learn more about Coursera for Business

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Build your subject-matter expertise

This course is available as part of

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be asked to select a specific program.

Learn new concepts from industry experts
Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
Earn a shareable career certificate from IBM

There are 4 modules in this course

As digital transformation accelerates, the demand for proficient business analysts (BAs) is rising. If you want to become a Business Analyst and don’t know where to start, this course is for you.

In this course, you'll learn the fundamentals of business analysis and its significance within organizations. You’ll discover the key responsibilities of a BA and the critical skills and certifications required for success in this field. The course explores the potential career paths and growth opportunities for aspiring business analysts. This course demonstrates real-world scenarios from various industries. It focuses on practical applications, exploring essential processes like gap analysis and gaining familiarity with popular tools used in business analysis. The course also covers digital transformation in business analysis, emphasizing digital strategy, technology assessment, and the role of AI in enhancing BA practices. With a mix of theory, activities, and labs, you'll acquire the expertise needed to excel in business analysis. You'll also gain insights from practitioners on the importance of business analysis and the career journey of a Business Analyst. No prior business analytics experience is required to take this course.

Module details

In this module, you will explore the fundamentals of business analysis, including its evolution, importance, and various domains in business analysis across industries. You'll understand the primary responsibilities of a business analyst and the skills required for business analysis. You will also learn about potential career prospects and paths in business analysis and discuss how to become a business analyst, including the education and certification options available for aspiring business analysts.

What's included

13 videos2 readings3 assignments1 discussion prompt4 plugins

13 videosTotal 87 minutes

Overview of Professional Certificate5 minutes
Course Introduction5 minutes
Meet the Experts4 minutes
Introduction to Business Analysis 5 minutes
Expert viewpoints: Role of Business Analysis in Enterprises 7 minutes
Evolution and Importance of Business Analysis 9 minutes
Introduction to domains in Business Analysis 8 minutes
Responsibilities of a Business Analyst 7 minutes
Skills Required for a Business Analyst 7 minutes
Expert viewpoints: Most Important Skills for Business Analyst 8 minutes
Career Prospects and Career Paths of Business Analysts 7 minutes
How to Become a Business Analyst? 7 minutes
Expert viewpoints: Career Journey in Business Analysis7 minutes

2 readingsTotal 5 minutes

Course Overview3 minutes
Summary and Highlights: Basics of Business Analysis2 minutes

3 assignmentsTotal 50 minutes

Basics of Business Analysis30 minutes
Practice Quiz: Business Analysis Overview10 minutes
Practice Quiz: Business Analysts Careers 10 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

[Optional] Interest in Business Analysis10 minutes

4 pluginsTotal 50 minutes

Helpful Tips for Course Completion15 minutes
Activity: Aligning Business and Solution Domains 15 minutes
Overview of BABOK [Optional]5 minutes
Activity: Unlock Your Potential as a Business Analyst15 minutes

In this module, you will explore the business analysis process in depth, learning about the essential steps involved. You’ll also gain a solid understanding of the requirement elicitation, including the key steps and strategies for identifying and communicating with stakeholders. Furthermore, you will be introduced to popular tools and techniques used by business analysts, providing you with practical skills to effectively navigate the field of business analysis.

What's included

9 videos1 reading3 assignments1 discussion prompt3 plugins

9 videosTotal 67 minutes

Steps in the Business Analysis Process 7 minutes
Expert viewpoints: Business Analysis process in companies 7 minutes
Introduction to Requirement Gathering 7 minutes
Popular Tools in Business Analysis7 minutes
Expert viewpoints: Business Analysis Tools in Day-to-Day Life 8 minutes
Features of Common Business Analysis Tools7 minutes
Expert viewpoints: Usage of tools for Business Analysis 7 minutes
Overview of Techniques in Business Analysis9 minutes
Expert viewpoints: Usage of techniques for Business Analysis8 minutes

1 readingTotal 2 minutes

Summary and Highlights: Business Analysis Process 2 minutes

3 assignmentsTotal 50 minutes

Business Analysis Process30 minutes
Practice Quiz: Introduction to Business Analysis Process10 minutes
Practice Quiz: Tools and Techniques in Business Analysis 10 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 15 minutes

[Optional] Gathering Requirements15 minutes

3 pluginsTotal 90 minutes

Activity: Requirements Gathering15 minutes
Lab: Visualizing and Improving a Business Process30 minutes
Lab: Using Tools for Documenting Requirements 45 minutes

In this module, you will explore the practical applications of business analysis across various industries, including real-world examples. You will learn about gap analysis and popular tools used in day-to-day business analysis. You’ll also learn how to use Excel for business matrices. Additionally, you will learn about digital transformation in business analysis processes. This will cover digital strategy, technology assessment, and the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in business analysis.

What's included

9 videos1 reading3 assignments1 discussion prompt2 plugins

9 videosTotal 64 minutes

Business Analysis in different industries 7 minutes
Applications of Business Analysis in Different Industries7 minutes
Performing Effective Gap Analysis8 minutes
Digital Strategy and Transformation 7 minutes
Expert viewpoints Digital Transformation journey 8 minutes
Technology Assessment for Digital Transformation 7 minutes
Expert viewpoints: Importance of Technology Assessment 7 minutes
AI in Business Analysis 7 minutes
Expert viewpoints: Leveraging AI in real life business analysis 6 minutes

1 readingTotal 10 minutes

Summary and Highlights: Business Analysis Practical Applications10 minutes

3 assignmentsTotal 50 minutes

Graded Assignment: Graded Quiz: Business Analysis Practical Applications30 minutes
Practice Quiz: Business Analysis Applications 10 minutes
Practice Quiz: Digital Transformation and AI 10 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

[Optional] Impact of AI on the Role of Business Analyst10 minutes

2 pluginsTotal 70 minutes

Lab: Creating a Business Analysis Matrix30 minutes
Lab: Evaluating Digital Transformation Scenarios40 minutes

In this module, you will complete a final project and will take a final exam to test your knowledge. The module also provides guidance about the next steps after completing this course.

What's included

2 videos2 readings1 assignment2 plugins

2 videosTotal 12 minutes

Course Wrap-up 5 minutes
Expert viewpoints: Tips and Advice for a Career in Business Analysis 7 minutes

2 readingsTotal 3 minutes

Congratulations and Next Steps2 minutes
Team and Acknowledgments1 minute

1 assignmentTotal 45 minutes

Final Assignment : Introduction to Business Analysis45 minutes

2 pluginsTotal 121 minutes

Project: Streamlining Hospital Operations through Business Analysis120 minutes
Glossary: Introduction to Business Analysis1 minute

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Instructors

Instructor ratings

(97 ratings)

Rav Ahuja

IBM

55 Courses5,054,508 learners

Offered by

IBM

Learner reviews

5 stars
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4 stars
20.04%
3 stars
2.64%
2 stars
0.66%
1 star
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Showing 3 of 452

Reviewed on Jan 4, 2025

I think this is too advanced especially those who are beginners.

Reviewed on Aug 29, 2025

Very Nice Course...!!! It has definitely updated my knowledge on what Business Analysts do. I really enjoyed this course. And it is a must for people aspiring career in the business analysis field.

Reviewed on Feb 5, 2025

I have learnt a new aspects of Business Analyst through Coursera. Thank you for giving such an insight and hand-on experience on software like JIRA, LucidChart, MS Excel, Confluence.

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