Introduction to Business Analysis
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Introduction to Business Analysis
This course is part of multiple programs.
Instructor: Rav Ahuja
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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
10 assignments
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- 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 donβt 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. Youβll 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.
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 videosβ’Total 87 minutes
- Overview of Professional Certificateβ’5 minutes
- Course Introductionβ’5 minutes
- Meet the Expertsβ’4 minutes
- Introduction to Business Analysis β’5 minutes
- Expert viewpoints: Role of Business Analysis in Enterprises β’7 minutes
- Evolution and Importance of Business Analysis β’9 minutes
- Introduction to domains in Business Analysis β’8 minutes
- Responsibilities of a Business Analyst β’7 minutes
- Skills Required for a Business Analyst β’7 minutes
- Expert viewpoints: Most Important Skills for Business Analyst β’8 minutes
- Career Prospects and Career Paths of Business Analysts β’7 minutes
- How to Become a Business Analyst? β’7 minutes
- Expert viewpoints: Career Journey in Business Analysisβ’7 minutes
2 readingsβ’Total 5 minutes
- Course Overviewβ’3 minutes
- Summary and Highlights: Basics of Business Analysisβ’2 minutes
3 assignmentsβ’Total 50 minutes
- Basics of Business Analysisβ’30 minutes
- Practice Quiz: Business Analysis Overviewβ’10 minutes
- Practice Quiz: Business Analysts Careers β’10 minutes
1 discussion promptβ’Total 10 minutes
- [Optional] Interest in Business Analysisβ’10 minutes
4 pluginsβ’Total 50 minutes
- Helpful Tips for Course Completionβ’15 minutes
- Activity: Aligning Business and Solution Domains β’15 minutes
- Overview of BABOK [Optional]β’5 minutes
- Activity: Unlock Your Potential as a Business Analystβ’15 minutes
In this module, you will explore the business analysis process in depth, learning about the essential steps involved. Youβll 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 videosβ’Total 67 minutes
- Steps in the Business Analysis Process β’7 minutes
- Expert viewpoints: Business Analysis process in companies β’7 minutes
- Introduction to Requirement Gathering β’7 minutes
- Popular Tools in Business Analysisβ’7 minutes
- Expert viewpoints: Business Analysis Tools in Day-to-Day Life β’8 minutes
- Features of Common Business Analysis Toolsβ’7 minutes
- Expert viewpoints: Usage of tools for Business Analysis β’7 minutes
- Overview of Techniques in Business Analysisβ’9 minutes
- Expert viewpoints: Usage of techniques for Business Analysisβ’8 minutes
1 readingβ’Total 2 minutes
- Summary and Highlights: Business Analysis Process β’2 minutes
3 assignmentsβ’Total 50 minutes
- Business Analysis Processβ’30 minutes
- Practice Quiz: Introduction to Business Analysis Processβ’10 minutes
- Practice Quiz: Tools and Techniques in Business Analysis β’10 minutes
1 discussion promptβ’Total 15 minutes
- [Optional] Gathering Requirementsβ’15 minutes
3 pluginsβ’Total 90 minutes
- Activity: Requirements Gatheringβ’15 minutes
- Lab: Visualizing and Improving a Business Processβ’30 minutes
- Lab: Using Tools for Documenting Requirements β’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. Youβll 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 videosβ’Total 64 minutes
- Business Analysis in different industries β’7 minutes
- Applications of Business Analysis in Different Industriesβ’7 minutes
- Performing Effective Gap Analysisβ’8 minutes
- Digital Strategy and Transformation β’7 minutes
- Expert viewpoints Digital Transformation journey β’8 minutes
- Technology Assessment for Digital Transformation β’7 minutes
- Expert viewpoints: Importance of Technology Assessment β’7 minutes
- AI in Business Analysis β’7 minutes
- Expert viewpoints: Leveraging AI in real life business analysis β’6 minutes
1 readingβ’Total 10 minutes
- Summary and Highlights: Business Analysis Practical Applicationsβ’10 minutes
3 assignmentsβ’Total 50 minutes
- Graded Assignment: Graded Quiz: Business Analysis Practical Applicationsβ’30 minutes
- Practice Quiz: Business Analysis Applications β’10 minutes
- Practice Quiz: Digital Transformation and AI β’10 minutes
1 discussion promptβ’Total 10 minutes
- [Optional] Impact of AI on the Role of Business Analystβ’10 minutes
2 pluginsβ’Total 70 minutes
- Lab: Creating a Business Analysis Matrixβ’30 minutes
- Lab: Evaluating Digital Transformation Scenariosβ’40 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 videosβ’Total 12 minutes
- Course Wrap-up β’5 minutes
- Expert viewpoints: Tips and Advice for a Career in Business Analysis β’7 minutes
2 readingsβ’Total 3 minutes
- Congratulations and Next Stepsβ’2 minutes
- Team and Acknowledgmentsβ’1 minute
1 assignmentβ’Total 45 minutes
- Final Assignment : Introduction to Business Analysisβ’45 minutes
2 pluginsβ’Total 121 minutes
- Project: Streamlining Hospital Operations through Business Analysisβ’120 minutes
- Glossary: Introduction to Business Analysisβ’1 minute
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Reviewed on Jan 4, 2025
I think this is too advanced especially those who are beginners.
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.
Reviewed on Jul 10, 2025
Comprehensive! IBM's Introduction to Business Analysis provides solid foundations, clear methodologies, and practical tools for effective BA practices, enhancing project success rates.
Frequently asked questions
This course is designed for aspiring Business Analysts who want to start their career in this job role.
It is also beneficial for current Business Analysts seeking to sharpen their skills.
This professional certificate is self-paced, that is, you can allocate your time commitment based on your schedule.
For example, if you spend 8β10 hours/week, you can complete the program in approximately 3 months.
If you spend less time, for example,4-5 hours/week, you can complete the program in 6 months.
This PC is suitable for those aspiring to or currently working in business analysis, including:
Professionals transitioning into a Business Analyst role
Graduates or students interested in pursuing a career in business analysis
Individuals from various backgrounds with an interest in data analysis, IT, and business processes
Anyone seeking to acquire the technical and soft skills needed to excel as a Business Analyst
Business Analysts looking to deepen their expertise in specific areas or topics
Professionals seeking the formal knowledge and skills required for the ECBA certification
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