Lesson Plan: Introduction to Business Analysis

Objective: To introduce university students to the field of business analysis, its key concepts, and techniques, and provide them with practical examples and exercises to enhance their understanding of the job.

Duration: 2 hours

Materials Needed: - Whiteboard or flipchart - Markers - Handouts with case studies and exercises

Lesson Outline:

I. Introduction (10 minutes) A. Welcome and introduction to the topic B. Briefly explain the importance of business analysis in organizations C. Share the learning objectives for the session

II. Key Concepts of Business Analysis (20 minutes) A. Definition and scope of business analysis B. Role and responsibilities of a business analyst C. Skills and competencies required for business analysis D. Discuss the importance of effective communication and stakeholder management

III. Techniques and Tools in Business Analysis (30 minutes) A. Requirements gathering techniques (e.g., interviews, surveys, observations) B. SWOT analysis and its application in business analysis C. Use of data analysis tools (e.g., Excel, data visualization software) D. Introduction to process modeling techniques (e.g., flowcharts, BPMN)

IV. Case Studies and Examples (30 minutes) A. Provide real-life case studies related to business analysis B. Discuss the challenges faced and the solutions implemented C. Encourage students to analyze the case studies and identify potential improvements

V. Exercises and Group Activities (30 minutes) A. Divide students into small groups B. Distribute handouts with exercises related to business analysis C. Examples of exercises: 1. Conduct a mock interview with a stakeholder to gather requirements for a new product 2. Perform a SWOT analysis for a hypothetical company 3. Create a process flowchart for a specific business process D. Allow time for group discussions and provide guidance as needed

VI. Wrap-up and Discussion (10 minutes) A. Recap the key concepts and techniques covered in the session B. Address any questions or concerns raised by the students C. Discuss the potential career opportunities in business analysis

VII. Conclusion (10 minutes) A. Summarize the main takeaways from the session B. Provide additional resources for further learning (books, websites, professional organizations) C. Thank the students for their participation and encourage them to explore business analysis further

Note: The duration of each section can be adjusted based on the available time and the level of engagement from the students.