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Introduction to Business Analysis

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Introduction to Business Analysis

This course is part of multiple programs.

61,310 already enrolled

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Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.6

459 reviews

Beginner level

Recommended experience

Flexible schedule
1 week at 10 hours a week
Learn at your own pace

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.6

459 reviews

Beginner level

Recommended experience

Flexible schedule
1 week at 10 hours a week
Learn at your own pace

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

Details to know

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Assessments

10 assignments

Taught in English
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  • 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.

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
  • Practice Quiz: Business Analysis Overview10 minutes
  • Practice Quiz: Business Analysts Careers 10 minutes
  • Basics of Business Analysis30 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
  • Practice Quiz: Introduction to Business Analysis Process10 minutes
  • Practice Quiz: Tools and Techniques in Business Analysis 10 minutes
  • Business Analysis Process30 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
  • Practice Quiz: Business Analysis Applications 10 minutes
  • Practice Quiz: Digital Transformation and AI 10 minutes
  • Graded Assignment: Graded Quiz: Business Analysis Practical Applications30 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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Instructor

Instructor ratings
4.6 (97 ratings)
IBM
55 Courses5,141,442 learners

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Showing 3 of 459

AL
·

Reviewed on Jan 4, 2025

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

SD
·

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.

KS
·

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.

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 8–10 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

This certificate is suitable for anyone interested in becoming a Business Analyst and does not require any prior experience in the field. 

You should have basic computer literacy and a working knowledge of Office productivity tools, such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

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.

Not at this time.

The certificate is designed to give you the job-ready skills you need to start your career as a business analyst. This includes a holistic skillset, encompassing skills such as problem-solving, analytical thinking, stakeholder management, communication, and teamwork. 

Additionally, the program prepares you for taking the Entry Certificate in Business Analysis (ECBA) exam. Plus, it also helps you with other advanced certifications, like Certification of Capability in Business Analysis (CCBA) and PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI/PBA). 

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.

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

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.

This course is structured around the industry's premier framework for business analysis excellence. The core curriculum is systematically aligned with the BABOK® Guide (Business Analysis Body of Knowledge) published by the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA). By absorbing these foundational principles, you will master the standard vocabulary, knowledge areas, and operational mindsets expected of professional BAs worldwide.

Building a competitive resume requires verifiable professional credentials. The modules are specifically designed to help you prepare for the ECBA™ (Entry Certificate in Business Analysis) certification exam. You will study essential competencies valued by global corporate employers, including formal requirement elicitation techniques, strategic stakeholder engagement workflows, process modeling fundamentals, and structural project management tracking.

You will move beyond theory to study how business analysis operates in the age of digital transformation. Through hands-on labs, you will learn to conduct a structural Gap Analysis—the methodology used to identify the delta between an organization's current state and its desired future state. Furthermore, the course explores modern digital strategy, technology assessments, using Excel for core business matrix tracking, and the emerging role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in accelerating requirement documentation and optimizing data visualization workflows.

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.

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.

Financial aid available,