Introduction to Business Analysis

Course details

Dive into the multifaceted role of business analysis, where structured ways of solving problems, and implementing process and systems changes meets strategic adaptability. In this course, Angela Wick—a business analysis expert—shows you how to identify and define problems or opportunities, validate solutions, and manage stakeholder engagement effectively. Discover the various contexts of business analysis, and essential aspects such as requirement discovery, elicitation, analysis, modeling, and validation that enable you to navigate complex changes. Explore how business analysis spans various contexts, including, software, AI, technical integrations, process improvements, and vendor evaluations. Understand the importance of balancing urgency with structured analysis to achieve impactful results. Solidify what you learn with real-world examples and practical tips that help you apply concepts directly to your work. By the end of this course, you will be able to identify problems, develop structured requirements, and lead projects to successful implementation.

Learning objectives
Explain the role of business analysis and its evolution in various organizational contexts.
Identify and develop key skills required for effective business analysis, including strategic thinking, problem-solving, and stakeholder management.
Analyze the integration of business analysis with technical ecosystems, business processes, and customer experience initiatives.
Apply business analysis frameworks to define requirements, evaluate current and future states, and create deliverables.
Utilize real-world examples and case studies to understand the practical application of business analysis in projects, products, and organizational change.

Concepts

0. Introduction

01 - Introduction to business analysis

1. Introduction to Business Analysis

02 - The business analysis rhythm
03 - Business analysis as as a skill or role
04 - How has business analysis evolved
05 - Key business analysis skills to develop

2. Core BA Concepts

06 - Problem, situation, opportunity, vision statements
07 - Current future state
08 - Requirements, design, implementation
09 - Structured requirements information
10 - The requirements value chain

3. The BA Process

11 - The business analysis process overview
12 - It's an iterative and continuous process
13 - Define and discover requirements context
14 - Collaboration with stakeholders
15 - Business analysis starts with the user
16 - Requirements elaboration
17 - Releasing a change
18 - Evaluating the change - Users, data, systems

4. BA Contexts

19 - Business analysis context overview
20 - Strategic business analysis and enterprise analysis
21 - Portfolio and value stream analysis
22 - Business analysis in a project, product, and techical context
23 - Business analysis in business process and operational improvement
24 - Business analysis in a customer experience
25 - Business analysis in organizational change management
26 - Integrating business analysis contexts
27 - The deliverables business analysts produce

5. Technology Products and Projects

28 - Business analysis and the technical ecosystem
29 - Business analysis with one system component
30 - Capabilities and business analysis
31 - Data and business analysis

6. Sample BA Projects

32 - Sample business analysis overview
33 - Sample BA, example 1 - Using AI quality issues
34 - Sample BA, example 2 - Vendor package software
35 - Sample BA, example 3 - Operations improvement
36 - Sample BA, example 4 - User-facing product
37 - Sample BA, example 5 - Tech data source change

Conclusion

38 - Next steps