Which Business Intelligence Professional Certificate is Best for You? Microsoft Power BI vs. Business Analyst
Develop a broad understanding of business intelligence or build your technical skills with two different programs from Microsoft on Coursera. Learn more about their differences across topics, tools, and skills, and which is best for your career goals.
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Key takeaways
When it comes to business intelligence, there can be significant overlap between data analysts and business analysts. Both roles aim to improve organizational decision-making and performance, albeit through different focuses and methods.
Microsoft offers two Professional Certificates to learn business intelligence on Coursera:
To learn data-driven BI: Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst Professional Certificate.
To learn process-oriented BI and analysis: Microsoft Business Analyst Professional Certificate.
Let’s review the differences between these two business intelligence programs on Coursera.
Business Intelligence Professional Certificates on Coursera: Key differences
Each of Microsoft’s Professional Certificates caters to different career paths. The Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst Professional Certificate is designed for aspiring data professionals seeking to become experts in Power BI and help businesses make informed decisions. The Microsoft Business Analyst Professional Certificate, on the other hand, is designed for aspiring business professionals who want to understand key business processes, including managing stakeholders and mitigating risk.
| Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst | Microsoft Business Analyst | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Professional Certificate | Professional Certificate |
| Level | Beginner | Beginner |
| Modules | 8 courses | 6 courses |
| Estimated time to completion | 5 months (at 10 hours a week) | 3 months (at 10 hours a week) |
| Special topic emphasis | Microsoft Power BI, data modeling and visualization, data transformation and cleaning, data analysis expressions (DAX), report and dashboard creation | Business analysis concepts, stakeholder management, business process modeling, project management, and risk assessment |
| Key skills | Data analysis and visualization using Power BI, data modeling and storytelling, DAX, ETL (extract, transform, load) processes | Stakeholder management, requirements gathering and documentation, business process modeling, data analysis using Excel, project planning, and risk management |
| Technologies | Microsoft Power BI | Microsoft Power Platform |
| Ideal for | Individuals who want to learn data analysis using Microsoft Power BI | Individuals who want to understand and improve business processes using various Microsoft tools |
Price: You can preview the first module of many courses at no cost. Visit the Learner Help Center for more information about your account, payments, subscriptions, and Coursera policies.
Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst Professional Certificate: Topics, tools, and skills
The Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst Professional Certificate is the more technical of the two programs. In focusing on business intelligence, it emphasizes using data to gain insights and inform decision-making.
Topics
The topics you’ll cover in the Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst program include:
| Topics | ||
|---|---|---|
| Data preparation and transformation | Data modeling (using Star Schema) | DAX (data analysis expression) calculations |
| Data visualization and report design | Dashboard creation and interactivity | Data security and deployment |
Tools
As you learn data analysis, you’ll interact with several tools, including:
| Tools | ||
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Power BI | Excel | DAX Studio |
| SQL | Power Query | Azure |
Skills
The data analysis skills you’ll build include:
| Skills | ||
|---|---|---|
| Data analysis and interpretation | Data cleaning and transformation | Advanced data visualization |
| Performance optimization for data models | Data storytelling | Business intelligence strategy |
Ideal for:
Aspiring data analysts focused on business intelligence.
Professionals looking to specialize in Power BI.
Those interested in data-driven decision making.
Individuals preparing for the PL-300 certification.
Microsoft Business Analyst Professional Certificate: Topics, tools, and skills
The Microsoft Business Analyst Professional Certificate is the broader program of the two. It emphasizes the strategic and operational side of BI, focusing on analyzing business processes and stakeholder needs to drive improvement.
Topics
The topics you’ll cover in the Microsoft Business Analyst program include:
| Topics | ||
|---|---|---|
| Business analysis fundamentals | Stakeholder management and requirements elicitation | Business process modeling and improvement |
| Data analysis and visualization | Project management and risk assessment | Microsoft Power Platform overview |
Tools
As you learn about business analysis, you’ll interact with several tools, including:
| Tools | ||
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Excel | Microsoft Visio | Microsoft Power BI |
| Microsoft Power Apps | Microsoft Power Automate | Microsoft Power Virtual Agents |
Skills
The business analysis skills you can expect to develop include:
| Skills | ||
|---|---|---|
| Stakeholder analysis and engagement | Requirements gathering and documentation | Business process analysis and modeling |
| Data analysis using Excel | Project planning and risk management | Problem-solving and critical thinking |
Ideal for:
Someone interested in a business analyst career.
Professionals interested in stakeholder management and requirements gathering.
Individuals looking to understand various Microsoft business tools.
Those preparing for the PL-900 certification.
Resources for business intelligence on Coursera
Keep learning about business intelligence as a topic, career, and skill set on Coursera. There are lots of free resources to explore, including:
Career Resource Hub: Take advantage of free career development tools designed to support your learning and career growth.
Career Chat: Stay updated on important topics and trends with Coursera’s free weekly newsletter on LinkedIn.
YouTube: Watch informative videos to learn more about different career paths and important skills.
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