Strengthen your Ability to Lead Strategic Decisions
Business analysis is the discipline of identifying business needs and requirements and designing and executing solutions to business problems. This introductory course provides a wide-ranging overview of the principles and concepts of business analysis, with a focus on the following six areas: needs assessment, stakeholder engagement, requirements elicitation, requirements analysis, requirements tracing and monitoring, and solution evaluation.
This course covers the common stages of a business analysis project and describes common terminology and tools and techniques utilized by a business analyst. It provides subject matter expert testimony by business analysis practitioners on important topics related to successfully completing business analysis activities. This course also considers the place of business analysis and product development life cycles within the greater scheme of project life cycle management.
Required Course For Certificate
This certificate program consists of a single course. To earn the certificate, the course must be completed with a grade of C/pass or better.
Why take this program?
After successful completion of this program, you will be able to:
- Explain the strategic importance of business analysis and its role in organizational success.
- Identify the key skills required for effective business analysis and describe the diverse roles of business analysts across various organizations.
- Define requirements elicitation techniques and apply them to gather, refine, and prioritize business requirements.
- Develop comprehensive needs assessments and future state roadmaps to guide organizations towards their desired outcomes.
- Analyze and recommend optimal implementation strategies by evaluating current capabilities, designing future state options, and assessing business value.
Program benefits
The business analysis course offers a comprehensive curriculum encompassing key areas such as requirements analysis, stakeholder engagement, solution evaluation, and change management. Students develop essential skills that are highly sought-after in business analysis roles across diverse industries.
Types of positions in business analysis
- Business Analyst
- Data Analyst
- Systems Analyst
- Data Analyst
- Product Owner
- Project Manager
- Business Process Analyst
Career Insight for a Business Analyst
Business analysts play a crucial role in identifying business needs, analyzing processes, and providing data-driven solutions to enhance efficiency. These professionals oversee project requirements, manage budgets, and analyze performance metrics. On average, business analyst positions offer a median annual salary of $85,723, slightly over the national average.
Source: Indeed, 2025
Have a question about this program?
We’re here to help! Whether you want to explore your options or need help finding the right fit, our team is always ready to chat.
Give us a call at (541) 737-1500 or send us an email at cpe@oregonstate.edu. We’d love to hear from you!
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