The list is meticulously categorized based on content type, topic, and experience level. Whether you are delving into fundamentals or exploring specialized topics like negotiation strategies and time management, we've got you covered.
Three Online Resources to Follow
- The British Computer Society website offers a wide range of content and information on the IT industry, from career guides, certification preparations, and articles to events. You can even become a community member and gain additional connections that will help you develop your career.
- International Requirements Engineering Board is a non-profit organization providing the Certified Professional for Requirements Engineering (CPRE) certification scheme. Their website features important information about the exam as well as other various materials such as training material and preparation courses.
- Free KnowledgeKnuggets and Video Shorts by business analysis experts. This website offers free so-called “KnowledgeKnuggets.” They come in short 5-15 min videos, each covering one topic about business analysis and requirements engineering. These “Knuggets” are designed to be easily digestible and understandable even by a non-technical audience.
Nine Books to Add to Your BA Reading List
1. A Guide to the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge (BABOK® Guide)
Known as the bible for BAs, The BABOK Guide is an internationally recognized standard for the practice of business analysis. It defines six core knowledge areas, noting skills, deliverables, and techniques professionals require for better business outcomes. The glossary is freely available and features foundational terminology essential for day-to-day work.
2. Software Requirements by Karl Wiegers and Joy Beatty
The book describes practical techniques for managing the requirements for the engineering process from end to end. Examples are provided to demonstrate how good practices can lead to better results. In addition, the authors describe how to apply these requirements to various special project situations. We recommend reading it if you have a general understanding of the software development process.
3. Requirement Engineering Fundamentals by Klaus Pohl and Chris Rupp
This book has been designed to help engineers prepare for the Certified Professional for Requirements Engineering (CPRE) Foundation Level exam as defined by the IREB (International Requirements Engineering Board). Requirement Engineering Fundamentals was written with self-study in mind and covers the required curriculum.
4. User Stories Applied: For Agile Software Development by Mike Cohn
Mike Cohn explains the dos and don'ts of user stories. You will learn practical ways of gathering them, even when you cannot speak with users. Once compiled, the author demonstrates the process of organizing, prioritizing, and using them for planning, management, and testing.
5. Beyond Requirements: Analysis with an Agile Mindset by Kent McDonald
McDonald teaches us that applying an agile mindset while analyzing can vastly improve results. He first outlines the agile mindset, highlights its key principles, and then links them to effective analysis. These principles are then tested in case studies. Finally, we are presented with a set of techniques, along with examples illustrating how and when they work.
6. Business Analysis for Practitioners: A Practice Guide by PMI
This guide, published by The Project Management Institute, explores the most common project-related issues associated with requirements and business analysis. Readers will gain practical advice to meet customer expectations and deliver solutions that drive business value, regardless of their role.
7. Business Analysis, second edition by BCS
Published by the renowned British Computer Society, Business Analysis offers a practical guide explaining essential concepts, frameworks, and techniques for Business Analysts. Dive into the entire range of approaches, including the investigation of business issues, modeling processes, defining requirements, and production of solid business cases.
8. Business Analysis Techniques 72 Essential Tools for Success by BCS
This book is a continuation of Business Analysis by BCS and explores in detail the stages of the business analysis process. These stages are introduced and then further broken down into logical sections. 72 techniques are incorporated within these sections, and each one is given the following elements: Name, variants/aliases, description, and usage advice. At the end of each stage, references are provided for further reading.
9. Don’t Make Me Think! A common sense approach to web usability by Steve Krug
Based on his years spent as a usability consultant, Steve Krug decided to write a book on how to make websites more logical from the user's perspective. It gained worldwide popularity thanks to its direct and beginner-friendly approach. His useful insight and expertise have been cleverly incorporated to not appear like a typical tech book.
Twelve Free Online Coursera Courses to Master Your BA Skills
1. Competitive strategy, part of Competitive Strategy and Organization Design Specialization
In this six-module course, you will have an opportunity to learn how businesses can pick a strategy that will help them gain a competitive advantage. Explore the meaning behind strategic partnerships, ways of entering a new market, and the importance of R&D, product design, and pricing.
2. Introduction to Systems Engineering
This weekly course uses a structured yet flexible approach to provide a solid foundation for the successful development of complicated systems. You are first introduced to the system life cycle, from design to development, production, and management. Then, how different components of a system interrelate. And finally, how everything contributes to the success of a project. Terminology has been simplified and presented in an easily digestible form.
3. Business Analytics Specialization
Five monthly specialization courses. You will learn how data analysts predict and inform business decisions in various departments. In the final Capstone Project, you will have a chance to apply your skills, interpret real-world data and give appropriate business strategy recommendations.
4. Strategic Business Analytics Specialization
One more series consisting of 4 courses. Some background knowledge in statistics, R, or another programming language and familiarity with databases and data analysis techniques is recommended. A wide variety of analytics approaches will be covered in different industry domains. Case studies in real business contexts will be featured. You will learn how to present your analysis to stakeholders.
5. Effective Problem-Solving and Decision-Making
The course tackles the most important skills in today's fast-paced and constantly changing workplace. Here, you will learn how to identify problems to generate potential solutions, tailor decision-making approaches to the situation at hand, make team decisions, and measure the success of implementing the solution. Examples are provided in case studies and situations encountered by class members.
6. Creative Problem Solving
Learn how to utilize creativity to enhance your problem-solving skills. First, you will gain an understanding of its role and then try to increase your ability through various exercises. The key point of this course is a series of “differents” where you will be challenged to change your normal behavior and thus overcome your limits.
7. Inspiring Leadership through Emotional Intelligence, part of Inspired Leadership Specialization
This part of the specialization series teaches us the importance of emotional intelligence in effective leadership. Across 8 modules, you will have the opportunity to dive into the neuroscience behind it, the bad influence of chronic stress, Intentional Change Theory, and more.
8. The Art of Negotiation
You will first learn the nature and basic rules of negotiation. Then, you will delve into various styles and techniques behind it, understand what makes an effective negotiator, and the critical importance of planning and preparation during the process.
9. Successful Negotiation: Essential Strategies and Skills
Created by the University of Michigan, this course covers the basic steps to effective negotiation: prepare, negotiate, close, perform, and evaluate. Content is in the form of interactive videos that you can watch whenever. You will have a chance to test your skills by negotiating with a friend or a partner from another part of the world. At the end, the final exam awaits. Upon passing, you will be awarded a certificate with the University logo.
10. High-Impact Business Writing
The University of California has created this 4-module course to help you express your thoughts clearly and concisely. Learn to use appropriate formats for your audience, adjust your writing style, and identify your objective so that you can clearly communicate it. You will also learn how to spot, correct, and avoid common pitfalls. Finally, you will gain experience by analyzing, writing, and revising a wide array of business documents.
11. Time Management for Personal & Professional Productivity
Overcome personal and professional organization issues by watching this course created by the same university. Learn the difference between productive and unproductive work and the importance of timing, focus, and multitasking.
12. Communicating Business Analytics Results
The University of Colorado is here to teach you how to present your results to decision-makers who are not familiar with analytics terminology. Learn the right vehicle to present quantitative information, including data visualization. Become a master storyteller who delivers stories with context, insights, and interpretation.
At DataArt, everyone is encouraged to learn, regardless of which professional stage they are at.
For our DataArt colleagues, we have a special internal Learning & Development portal and Mentoring program, we also provide access to external educational platforms such as O'Reilly, LinkedIn Learning, and Udemy, along with certification reimbursement (e.g., AWS, GCP, Microsoft, etc.).
For everyone else, we hope this list can assist you on your never-ending learning journey, exploring new theories, developing new skills, or simply refreshing your knowledge.
