Online Class: Business Analysis

This course will provide a solid foundation for a career in business analysis. We explore the strategy, phases, components and process a BA uses to develop a project.

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13

Lessons
23

Exams &
Assignments
3,203

Students
have taken this course
7

Hours
average time
0.7

CEUs

Course Description

How can you make a significant difference in your organization? One way is to be part of a project that improves the company's performance or launches it in a new direction. The business analyst (BA) plays a key role in the development and execution of company projects. Maybe it's a new product launch or a change to a more efficient software package. The BA is responsible for gathering input, analyzing the needs of the project, documenting the criteria to be met, sharing information among project team members and presenting findings to company executives.

This course will provide a solid foundation for a career in business analysis. We explore the strategy, phases, components and process a BA uses to develop a project. From conducting an enterprise analysis to assessing the solution's implementation, you will learn the basics of how to manage the process and determine the appropriate parties to be involved.

We look at project requirements (the needs that must be fulfilled to complete the initiative), how to develop a communications plan, distributing work responsibilities, creating a business model and more. The course finishes with a discussion about tasks that the BA encounters when the solution is put into place. When you are finished, you'll have a broad understanding that can launch your career in business analysis.

Courses Frequently Bought Together:

QuickBooks 101

Managerial Accounting 101

Business Administration 101

Course Motivation

As companies compete for market share, grow their businesses and work to increase profit margins, the business analyst (BA) has become a valuable asset. A business analyst explores ways to maximize a company's organization and increase efficiencies in its operations. Often the position, which is sometimes called a business systems analyst, requires examining the information technology (IT) structure which shares data among different disciplines within the company. There are times when the BA may work strictly on one facet of the company, such as IT, finance or sales.

The standard college degrees offered for a BA education are in business administration, typically requiring a major in business analysis. Having a degree is helpful in being hired for management level jobs, but it's not always essential for entry level positions. There are also certification programs available, which grant the title of certified business analyst. Having a sound business judgment, along with being a good troubleshooter, can earn you the job as well.

The pay scale for a BA position varies depending on the specific job functions performed and your location. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the average salary for a management level BA in 2015 was just over $91,000. Salaries posted online can reach into the low six figures. As with most management positions, experience is a strong factor in determining the pay scale.

The Role of Business Analyst

Responsibilities of the job include risk assessment, goal planning, issues management, and outcome forecasting, along with reviewing and reporting on recommended changes.

There are three primary roles a business analyst can fulfill within the position. As a strategist, you'll advise upper management on suitable policies, structures and/or processes that align with the company's long term objectives. As an architect, you would design organizational frameworks that create efficiencies within current and future business models. And as a systems analyst, you align the company's operations with IT systems in order to create greater efficiencies in sharing data.

Because a company analysis can be a multi-dimensional project, it generally requires a project manager. The project manager directs all the activities performed during an initiative. For smaller projects, the BA may also fill the role of project manager; however, the two positions are typically distinct and require different training and experience. The BA will usually manage a set of requirements within the project, whereas the project manager will oversee the entire set of requirements and likely make presentations to decision makers or stakeholders.

At the point where a company's information systems are involved, a business systems analyst (BSA) is responsible for system requirements. His purpose is to both create system efficiencies and translate the business requirements into systems requirements. For example, if a user requirement is to "determine how the customer heard about us" then the BSA will develop a solution that allows company website visitors to enter a response into a database.

The BA can also be responsible for employee training during implementation of the solutions. In the event that the project requires outside assistance, the BA may hire and manage the external project members.

Business analysis can take months or even years to complete, from enterprise analysis to post implementation assessment. It typically requires substantial investments in time and money, so the position of business analyst is important to the survival of the company.

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6 Months to Complete
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Accredited CEUs

Universal Class is an IACET Accredited Provider

Course Lessons

Average Lesson Rating:

"Extraordinarily Helpful"

(1,408 votes)

Lesson 1 - A Career in Business Analysis

This lesson will give a brief overview of a career in the field of business analysis. We discuss the role that the business analyst plays within an enterprise, and the process that an analyst will go through to complete a project. 19 Total Points

Lesson 1 Video
Lesson discussions: Business Analysis Course; Reasons for Taking this Course
Complete Assignment: An Introduction
Complete: Lesson 1 Assignment
Assessment: Quiz for Lesson 1 - A Career in Business Analysis

Lesson 2 - Enterprise Analysis: Part One

This lesson covers the initial project phase of an initiative, enterprise analysis. We discuss the purpose of enterprise analysis and the process that is involved. Also discussed are project size characteristics and strategic planning themes. 18 Total Points

Lesson 2 Video
Complete: Lesson 2 Assignment
Assessment: Quiz for Lesson 2 - Enterprise Analysis: Part One

Lesson 3 - Enterprise Analysis: Part Two

This lesson covers more phases of the enterprise analysis activities that begin a project. We discuss creating business architecture, including the process that is used. Next we cover project viability, which requires a feasibility study. 18 Total Points

Lesson 3 Video
Lesson discussions: Business Architecture Views
Complete: Lesson 3 Assignment
Assessment: Quiz for Lesson 3 - Enterprise Analysis: Part Two

Lesson 4 - Enterprise Analysis: Part Three

This lesson continues to explore enterprise analysis. We discuss defining the project's scope, performing risk assessment, preparing a business case, and cover the creation of a decision package. 9 Total Points

Lesson 4 Video
Complete: Lesson 4 Assignment
Assessment: Quiz for Lesson 4 - Enterprise Analysis: Part Three

Lesson 5 - Requirements Planning and Management: Part One

This lesson covers the tasks involved with planning for the requirements of the project. We discuss identifying stakeholders, defining role responsibilities, determining work division, managing information flow, and knowledge transfer. 19 Total Points

Lesson 5 Video
Complete: Lesson 5 Assignment
Assessment: Quiz for Lesson 5 : Requirements Planning and Management: Part One

Lesson 6 - Requirements Planning and Management: Part Two

This lesson covers steps and methodologies in requirements planning, along with the selection of requirements activities. We also discuss requirements risk management. 20 Total Points

Lesson 6 Video
Complete: Lesson 6 Assignment
Assessment: Quiz for Lesson 6 - Requirements Planning and Management: Part Two

Lesson 7 - Requirements Planning and Management: Part Three

This lesson continues the discussion on requirements planning and management. We explore the planning processes of estimating project needs and requirements scope. Also covered are management functions, including measurement and reporting function,and man 10 Total Points

Lesson 7 Video
Assessment: Quiz for Lesson 7 - Requirements Planning and Management: Part Three

Lesson 8 - Requirements Elicitation: Part One

This lesson covers the phase of gathering requirements from stakeholders. We explore some of the methods used in the requirements elicitation process, including brainstorming, document analysis, focus groups, and interface analysis. 8 Total Points

Lesson 8 Video
Lesson discussions: Elicitation Process
Assessment: Quiz for Lesson 8 - Requirements Elicitation: Part One

Lesson 9 - Requirements Elicitation: Part Two

This lesson continues to explore requirements elicitation methodologies. We examine interviewing, observation, prototyping, requirements workshops, reverse engineering, and surveying. Additional lesson topics: Interviewing and Elicitation 8 Total Points

Lesson 9 Video
Assessment: Quiz for Lesson 9 - Requirements Elicitation: Part Two

Lesson 10 - Requirements Analysis & Documentation: Part One

This lesson covers the steps that the business analyst will take to analyze the elicited requirements. We examine the characteristics of project requirements and describe the tasks that are involved. 7 Total Points

Lesson 10 Video
Assessment: Quiz for Lesson 10 - Requirements Analysis & Documentation: Part One

Lesson 11 - Requirements Analysis and Documentation:Part Two

This lesson covers the requirements documentation process. We include creating a business model, along with validation and verification strategies. 20 Total Points

Lesson 11 Video
Complete: Lesson 11 Assignment
Assessment: Quiz for Lesson 11 - Requirements Analysis & Documentation: Part Two

Lesson 12 - Requirements Communication

This lesson covers the BA's responsibilities in communicating the project requirements to stakeholders and others. We discuss the design of a communication strategy, the development of a communications plan, choosing the appropriate communications format 17 Total Points

Lesson 12 Video
Complete: Lesson 12 Assignment
Assessment: Quiz for Lesson 12 - Requirements Communication

Lesson 13 - Solution Assessment and Validation

This lesson covers the final project phases that address the solution implementation. We discuss the BA's role in developing alternate solutions to fit requirements, evaluating technology options, selecting the best solution, and post implementation revie 59 Total Points

Lesson 13 Video
Lesson discussions: Course Completion Poll: Your Thoughts; Program Evaluation Follow-up Survey (End of Course); Course Comments
Assessment: Quiz for Lesson 13 - Solution Assessment and Validationac
Assessment: The Final Exam

232

Total Course Points

Learning Outcomes

By successfully completing this course, students will be able to:

Summarize the job and career highlights of being a business analyst.
Describe the purpose of enterprise analysis and the processes and activities involved.
Identify stakeholders, define role responsibilities, describe work division, manage information flow, and transfer knowledge.
Describe the methods used for gathering requirements from stakeholders.
Describe the elicitation methodologies.
Describe the responsibilities in communicating project requirements.
Describe the solution assessments and validation processes involved in delivering a final project.
Demonstrate mastery of lesson content at levels of 70% or higher.

Additional Course Information

Document Your Lifelong Learning Achievements
Earn an Official Certificate Documenting Course Hours and CEUs
Verify Your Certificate with a Unique Serial Number Online

View and Share Your Certificate Online or Download/Print as PDF
Display Your Certificate on Your Resume and Promote Your Achievements Using Social Media

Course Title: Business Analysis

Course Number: 7550320

Lessons Rating: 4.4 / 5 Stars (1,408 votes)

Languages: English - United States, Canada and other English speaking countries

Category:

UniversalClass.com > Business > Management

Availability: This course is online and available in all 50 states including: California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Texas.

Last Updated: October 2022

Course Type: Self-Paced, Online Class

CEU Value: 0.7 IACET CEUs (Continuing Education Units)

CE Accreditation: Universal Class, Inc. has been accredited as an Authorized Provider by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET).

Grading Policy: Earn a final grade of 70% or higher to receive an online/downloadable CEU Certification documenting CEUs earned.

Assessment Method: Lesson assignments and review exams

Instructor: Dr. Metodija Stojanovski

Syllabus: View Syllabus

Course Fee: $95.00 U.S. dollars

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Student Testimonials

"Nothing was a surprise on the quizzes, everything was well explained." -- Andrea C.
"The material was very thorough." -- Leah F.
"Great Class!" -- Jose R.
"I liked the fact that is was broken down into multiple sections. I didn't realize how involved it is being a Business Analysis." -- Christy C.
"The lesson material was invaluable. Questions are extended outside of the course. It was how well we interpreted the lessons. Great experience." -- Raja K.