Continuous Growth in Business Analysis: A Guide to Microsoft's LinkedIn Learning Certification

As part of continuous career development at Bileeta , I wanted to introduce my Business Analysis (BA) team to online courses that would enrich their skills and knowledge. Continuous career development is crucial for building and sustaining a strong project team, ensuring that everyone remains up-to-date with industry standards and best practices.

After evaluating various online courses offered by platforms such as Coursera, LinkedIn Learning, and edX, I considered the following key factors in selecting the most suitable course:

1. Recognition: The course should be recognized by leading professional bodies related to Business Analysis, such as the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA), Project Management Institute (PMI), and others.
2. Course Content: It was essential that the course not only covered core BA topics but also focused on enhancing soft and transferable skills.
3. Cost: The overall cost, including the certification fee, had to be reasonable and within budget.
4. Time to Completion: The course needed to be manageable in terms of the time required to complete it.
5. Evaluation Methods: The assessment approach, both during and at the end of the course, was a significant consideration.

After a thorough analysis, I selected the "Career Essentials in Business Analysis by Microsoft and LinkedIn" course. This course is endorsed by prestigious organizations like the International Institute of Business Analysis, Project Management Institute, Microsoft, and the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA). It offers valuable insights into professional BA practices and equips learners with essential soft and transferable skills.

For those new to LinkedIn Learning, the first month comes with a free trial, allowing you to complete the certification if you dedicate sufficient time. The course content totals 13 hours and 16 minutes, but realistically, you should expect to spend at least 15 hours to account for answering questions, reviewing resources, and taking notes.

If you're already a LinkedIn Learning member, the cost is approximately LKR 5,700 for one month, making this certification both affordable and highly recognized by the IIBA, PMI, and Microsoft.

To obtain the final certification, you need to complete 12 courses, including:

• What Is Business Analysis?
• Business Analysis Foundations
• Agile Requirements Foundations
• Business Benefits Realization Foundations
• Requirements Elicitation and Analysis
• Business Process Modeling
• Requirements Elicitation for Business Analysts: Interviews
• Business Analyst and Project Manager Collaboration
• Project Management Foundations: Requirements
• Managing Projects with Microsoft 365
• Learning Data Science: Understanding the Basics
• Managing Data with Microsoft 365

The course is designed with ongoing evaluations and a final assessment. Each module includes questions that allow you to self-evaluate and reinforce your understanding. However, these questions do not contribute to your final score. At the end of each course, there is a formal evaluation, which is mandatory for those seeking Continuing Professional Education Credit through NASBA.

After completing all 12 courses, you will take a final exam consisting of 40 questions with a duration of 1 hour and 30 minutes. The passing mark is 70%, requiring you to correctly answer at least 28 questions. Importantly, you have only three attempts, so it’s crucial to ensure you’re well-prepared before taking the exam.

The course features content from eminent experts such as #LauraPaton, #GretaBlash, #AngelaWick, #HaydnThomas, #DanielStanton, and #ChristineM., as well as contributions from #Microsoft and #DougRose.

In addition to the knowledge and skills you'll gain, this course offers the opportunity to earn Continuing Development Units (CDUs) for IIBA members, Professional Development Units (PDUs) for PMI members, and Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits for NASBA members. Earning these units through other means could cost around LKR 50,000, making this course an excellent value.

My Personal Experience

I initially reviewed this course to introduce it to my team at Bileeta as part of our professional and continuous career development initiative. After completing a few certifications myself, I was impressed with the quality and content. Despite my busy schedule—working during the weekdays and lecturing master’s students at the University of Colombo on weekends—I managed to make time for this course by incorporating it into my gym routine. LinkedIn Learning’s mobile app allowed me to listen to the content during workouts, and I answered questions using the app whenever possible.

The course materials, including resources and templates, are invaluable, especially for BAs and PMs. After completing two courses in June, I decided to continue with the rest at my own pace. Over two months, I completed the entire course and passed the final exam on my first attempt with high marks, missing only five out of 40 questions.

Final Remarks

If you're a professional BA or PM, this certification is a great way to update your knowledge, enhance your soft and transferable skills, and earn valuable professional development units. For newcomers or associates entering the field, this course provides a comprehensive path for business analysis domain, offering 12 professional certifications that are recognized globally. #BusinessAnalysis #CareerDevelopment #ContinuousLearning #ProfessionalDevelopment #bileeta #entution #eLIMS #DigitalTransformation

Please check the below certifications