What Classes to Take to Become a Business Analyst

A Business Analyst plays an important role in maintaining the relevance, profits, and expectations of a business. You will need training in several skills and tools to find work as a Business Analyst. Most Business Analysts take classes that help sharpen their analytical, technical, and problem-solving skills. Because Business Analysts have to learn such a wide array of skills, they may enroll in numerous classes or classes that discuss multiple subjects. Among the topics you will need to learn are data analysis and visualization. Additionally, you’ll have to acquire strong mathematical skills for tasks like statistical analysis. You may take specialized courses in software or a specific platform, such as Tableau, Power BI, or Microsoft Office products. In addition, a business analysis class will frequently explore related subjects like project management or user experience design. 

What is a Business Analyst?

A Business Analyst is a specialized role that helps businesses meet their needs. They improve production, distribution of services, financial management, and customer experiences through different analytical means. They essentially bridge the gap between the tech department and the stakeholders to make sure each business need is being met. They regularly gather, analyze, and visualize data to provide more insight into recent trends or to determine changes that should be made. They may even conduct research by sharing surveys, interviewing consumers, or workshopping new products. Above all, they work in a data-driven position and help businesses improve their profits and practices through meaningful insights.

The regular workweek responsibilities of a Business Analyst include data collection, analyzing business practices, drawing solutions, and providing colleagues with actionable insights. Aside from these foundational tasks, they often maintain documents of their past work, communicate with other team members or stakeholders, and plan the next steps with Project Managers. They must meet certain qualifications and have a broad range of skills

Business Analysts can work virtually anywhere as well. They typically work for organizations that handle large quantities of data or firms that specialize in providing business analysis services to companies. However, they can also work for smaller businesses, startups, and tech companies that develop products. Truly, any field or industry that sells a good or service will benefit from hiring a Business Analyst. Plus, they can work in different settings, ranging from on-site to remote and freelance to part-time.

What Skills Will I Need to Learn to Become a Business Analyst?

Before becoming a Business Analyst, you will learn different tools, techniques, and practices to succeed. All of this can be done with a professional training course, particularly if you enroll in classes that specialize in a certain tool or methodology. 

Data Analytics and Visualization Tools

For business analysis in particular, you’ll learn technologies relevant to data analytics ranging from software and languages to platforms and applications. For example, you’ll learn platforms like Microsoft Excel, Power BI, and Tableau for data management and visualization. These are among some of the most popular, user-friendly, and accessible platforms across the board for data professionals. Additionally, Google Analytics may be worth learning as it is useful for understanding website interactions and marketing campaign success.

Coding Languages

In addition, programming languages such as Python, R, and SQL are especially useful for Business Analysts as they are open-source and more beginner-friendly. Their frameworks and libraries are essential for data visualization and analysis, so coding knowledge is paramount. A Business Analyst may utilize their coding language knowledge for analyzing datasets, automating repetitive tasks, creating drafts of certain applications and projects, and improving safety measures and communication methods with other departments and teams.

Project Management Tools

Some Business Analysts even use project management platforms such as Microsoft Project, Agile, or Scrum. This may especially be true for a senior-level Business Analyst who oversees a large team or for someone who works as a freelancer and would like a simple way to maintain their progress and keep track of new client projects. It will be useful to understand project management practices as a Business Analyst since you will often handle different projects at once. In addition, it’ll benefit you to understand the next steps a client or business would want to take based on the data you’ve compiled and analyzed. While this all depends on your state of employment, the company, and the type of business operations, it’s typical for business analysis and project management to go hand-in-hand.

Soft Skills

Business analysis is a highly technical field, but it also requires an understanding of human behavior and interaction. As such, a Business Analyst will also have to adopt a variety of soft skills to help them complete their daily tasks. First, critical thinking and problem-solving skills are essential for analytical positions. With these skills, Business Analysts are able to make data-driven decisions with ease to mitigate any risks and increase profits. In addition, Business Analysts have to be team players since they often collaborate with other data professionals and discuss findings and insights with stakeholders. Strong attention to detail can make all the difference when working as a Business Analyst, so it is suggested that hopeful business analysis professionals have a thorough approach to completing tasks for their job role. Overall, they are strong communicators, highly adaptable, analytical, and meticulous.

What Courses Should I Enroll in to Become a Business Analyst?

Complete Microsoft Office Bootcamp

To become a Business Analyst, you can enroll in bootcamps and professional advancement courses like those offered by Noble Desktop. For instance, the Complete Microsoft Office Bootcamp is an in-depth guide to using Microsoft applications Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Word. Specifically, you will explore two levels of Outlook, PowerPoint, and Word and three levels of Excel throughout 54 total hours of instruction. You’ll complete hands-on projects that help you gain real-world experience using these applications in the business analysis world. This may include using Excel for data management, PowerPoint for data visualizations and presentations, Word for official documentation, and Outlook to share files and communicate with stakeholders.

A bootcamp is a unique educational experience where the content goes beyond a short course and offers more specialized training. They are somewhat lengthy, but this can vary depending on the level of depth. For instance, some last a few weeks whereas others last a few months. In truth, regardless of the length, bootcamps are for students who want to gain the most advanced skills in as little time as possible since they are much more hands-on, realistic, and flexible in comparison to other learning methods. Generally, bootcamps assign participants hands-on projects that give them an immersive, realistic experience of what it may be like to work as a Business Analyst. Bootcamps offer students myriad benefits ranging from additional mentoring sessions and payment plans. Additionally, bootcamps can lay the foundation for other educational pursuits such as additional bootcamps or certificate classes.

One of the biggest advantages of enrolling in bootcamps is that the curriculum values professional development above all else. The instructor is an expert in the field who can not only provide feedback on projects and student progress but also offer insight into what it’s like working as a Business Analyst. A bootcamp’s curriculum is designed to provide students with practical skills that can be readily applied to the workplace once they land a job. As a result, they focus far less on the theory and history behind the subject matter, but they offer more career assistance resources than other class options. For example, the instructor can provide direct feedback and assistance with developing a professional portfolio. There are often additional mentoring sessions offered to participants as well as mock interviews and certificates of completion.

Excel for Data Analytics

If a bootcamp doesn’t seem like the right choice for you at the moment, you can explore short courses at Noble Desktop that focus on a certain skill or platform. Their Excel for Data Analytics class is an exploration of core data analytics skills on Microsoft Excel, one of the most popular, easily accessible, and useful data analytics tools. Students will learn how to use basic functions for statistical analysis, summarize data with Pivot Tables, and create basic macros. Plus, the instructor will show you tips for making the data analysis process much quicker and easier.

Over 18 hours of class time, students will leave feeling much more confident using Excel’s core functions to categorize, filter, and visualize data. The use of tables and charts will come in handy while sharing insights with stakeholders and other high-level associates. Plus, it makes explaining your findings to the layman that much easier. Students in this class will benefit greatly from setup assistance and small class sizes. Additionally, participants can retake the class at no additional cost within a year. Once the course ends, students will earn a digital certificate to show their efforts in learning Excel for data analysis.

Python for Automation

However, there are even shorter courses available at Noble Desktop if you are a total beginner or just want to pace yourself. The Python for Automation course is perfect for those interested in careers in machine learning, business analysis, or data science. Students will learn Python syntax, run programs on a schedule, find and fix any errors, and write code to automate otherwise time-consuming tasks. In addition, students will practice using Excel and other coding languages such as HTML and CSS. 

Over six hours, students will feel more capable of using Python (one of the most commonly used programming languages) for automation, whether this is applied to cybersecurity reasons, customer service resources, or analytical purposes. They’ll be able to benefit from all the previously mentioned resources that Noble Desktop, such as a free retake, small classes, and setup assistance. They’ll also earn a certificate of completion and be able to use their skills in the workplace with ease. With the combination of thorough education and additional resources, students will feel aptly supported throughout the learning process. 

PowerPoint Level I

In the PowerPoint Level I course, you’ll learn how to create, edit, and present PowerPoint presentations with eye-catching graphics, visually appealing transitions, and data visualizations. In particular, students will learn how to draw shapes and lines, add tables and charts, apply transitions, and build diagrams. A Business Analyst using PowerPoint can easily share their findings with stakeholders and present their suggestions for improvement to higher-ups and laymen alike.

This short course lasts six hours l and can be completed within a day or two, depending if you choose a part-time or full-time option. This course is an ideal way to build a basic foundation for PowerPoint skills and allows you to learn more if you choose. After the first level, you can explore the second level or a bootcamp. This method allows you to advance enough to consider yourself a PowerPoint expert. Among the general benefits, students will receive a workbook and class recordings. Once the course ends, students will receive their verified digital certificate of completion.

Learn the Skills to Become a Business Analyst at Noble Desktop

Noble Desktop offers students numerous ways to learn business analysis skills, ranging from specific tools and technologies to entire subjects. You can start with beginner courses and steadily work your way through levels of advancement. For instance, you can learn SQL and Python from entry-level classes and move up the rankings before moving on to your next learning venture. If you need to gain skills in a few Microsoft Office products, but not all, this is an ideal way to acquire those skills. Plus, taking short courses ensures that you save time and avoid getting too over your head if you only need basic skills instead of professional-grade skills.

However, if you want to advance through the levels all in one go, consider the bootcamps offered at Noble Desktop. These are typically lengthier than an individual course but are bundled classes, meaning you’ll go through beginner, intermediate, and advanced-level concepts. You can explore different subjects in bootcamps, like data visualization platforms such as Tableau and Power BI. Additionally, bootcamps are rooted in career development so you will benefit from the additional benefits and resources.

For the most in-depth learning experience, you can also explore certificate courses. These are more intense than typical courses and usually last much longer. However, they are entirely designed to help prepare you for a future in your desired career. For instance, Noble Desktop offers a Business Analyst Certificate course that will give you the necessary skills to enter the field. In addition, certificate classes can help you study for a relevant certification exam, should you choose to explore this path.