Business Analysis

Career Focus

Business Analysis is designed to equip students to develop skills allowing them to gain insight from data using specific techniques, to develop instruments and tasks to identify the needs of a business and to formulate recommendations for inducing changes and providing solutions that produce value for the stakeholders. The course start from the premise that every company operates in a complex environment, characterized by a multitude of challenges, the change being the main constant. In this context, the course aims to present the business analysis from the perspective of the practice, providing examples and practical information that will help in understanding the tactical and strategic decisions a company should make.

During the practical cases, students identify methods to get the overall business perspective, helping to prepare for future recommendations in the areas where they decide to activate.

Educational Objectives

The course introduces you to the business analysis framework, the six areas of knowledge, the skills of a business analyst, the establishment of business needs, analysis and communication, business planning. It is designed on providing concrete examples to understand the concepts used, in order to develop decision-making skills. The aim is to enhance the capacity of analyzing the specific framework for carrying out activities at the company level, assimilating the particularities of the business analysis process and the methods and techniques of business analysis and, finally, strengthening the capacity for analysis and decision-making.

Course Content

The main objective of the course is to understand the principles of business analysis, followed by their application. The course will focus on skills training regarding methods for analyzing the business, in order to manage activities at the company level and to enhance its development. The use of case studies, simulations and the built of a group project will help in understanding the different perspectives a business analyst should consider.

Specifically, the course will help you learn:

• The actual characteristics of the business environment and the specific of different types of businesses
• The tools and processes used in dealing with business needs
• The principles and practices of building a business case
• How to plan business analysis activities
• How to gather insights/data, filter and apply in the recommendation/decision-making
• How to deal with actual challenges (digitalization, pandemic etc.)

Grading

Grading will be based on class participation (group project, case studies) and written/oral exam.