Analytics is the system of applying certain methods and techniques to understand the performance of data, generally in an organization or industry. The application of analytics can be used to uncover and interpret relevant patterns of data, which can be later used to make better decisions. Analytics relies on good data as part of its usefulness, as well as the aspects of statistics, computer programming, and operations research to quantify performance. Analytics exists in business when companies use statistics and software processes in assessing how a particular product, service, or project measures up in scope. Businesses perform analytics to pinpoint strengths, identify challenges or weaknesses that may exist, and pull out key data points to help make decisions regarding future growth for the organization.

Learning analytics is a key skill that helps you solve problems to existing challenges. When you use analytics tools to research data patterns, you use methods of analyzing performance characteristics that are essential to a business organization. This is important in today's world of big data. Understanding analytics can make you a valuable asset when assessing areas rich with recorded information, performance indicators, and target goals.

What are typical careers that use analytics?

Analytics is found in a wide range of careers, including business analyst, budget analyst, financial controller, data scientist, and operations researcher. Individuals who move into these and other careers in data analytics often work with raw data and algorithms through mechanical processes to make assumptions and theories. Essentially, with knowledge of analytics, you can move into a job that requires a familiarity with numeric relationships, data structures, and trends and metrics relevant to an organization.

How can taking online courses on Coursera help me learn analytics?

When you take online courses in analytics, you can gain a new understanding of key concepts like data analysis and visualization, mathematical optimization, regression analysis, predictive modeling, and other areas focused on business analytics. Taking online courses about analytics can help you achieve basic data literacy to help you make more informed decisions in any area you work in, like finance, operations, or marketing. As you branch out, you may advance your analytics understanding to include how to extract and manipulate data points, how to use different statistical analysis methods to break down the data, and how to eventually interpret and present your findings.

What are the benefits of taking an online Analytics course?

Online Analytics courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your existing knowledge or learn new Analytics skills. With a wide range of Analytics classes, you can conveniently learn at your own pace to advance your Analytics career.

What Analytics courses are best for training and upskilling employees or the workforce?

When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Analytics, it's crucial to select a course that aligns with their current abilities and learning objectives. Our Skills Dashboard is an invaluable tool for identifying skill gaps and choosing the most appropriate course for effective upskilling. For a comprehensive understanding of how our courses can benefit your employees, explore the enterprise solutions we offer. Discover more about our tailored programs at Coursera for Business here .

Top Analytics Courses - Learn Analytics Online

Explore the Analytics Course Catalog

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Digital Marketing Analytics in Practice
Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Marketing Analytics, Google Analytics, Web Analytics, Analytics, Data Visualization Software, Business Analytics, Digital Marketing, Data Analysis, Marketing, Consumer Behaviour, Data Collection, Advertising
Build toward a degree
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
3.3K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: AI skills
Microsoft
Microsoft Business Analyst
Skills you'll gain: Microsoft Power Platform, Excel Formulas, Process Flow Diagrams, Business Process Modeling, User Story, Business Requirements, Stakeholder Management, Data Modeling, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Visio, Software Development Life Cycle, Requirements Analysis, Requirements Elicitation, Quality Management, Pivot Tables And Charts, Power BI, Project Management Life Cycle, Microsoft Power Automate/Flow, Business Analysis, Project Management
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
901 reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Google
Analyze Data to Answer Questions
Skills you'll gain: Data Validation, Spreadsheet Software, Data Analysis, Data Synthesis, Analytics, Data Manipulation, Excel Formulas, Query Languages, Data Compilation, Pivot Tables And Charts, Data Quality, SQL, Data Integration, Data Transformation, Constructive Feedback
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
12K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
SAS
SAS Visual Business Analytics
Skills you'll gain: SAS (Software), Network Analysis, Trend Analysis, Data Manipulation, Data Analysis, Forecasting, Data Quality, Text Mining, Ad Hoc Reporting, Spatial Data Analysis, Data Visualization Software, Spatial Analysis, Analytics, Time Series Analysis and Forecasting, Business Analytics, Data Visualization, Interactive Data Visualization, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Business Reporting, Exploratory Data Analysis
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
1.1K reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Coursera Project Network
Business Analysis & Process Management
Skills you'll gain: Process Analysis, Business Process, Business Analysis, Process Mapping, Workflow Management, Process Flow Diagrams, Business Modeling, Business Process Management, Stakeholder Management
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
6.4K reviews
Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Fractal Analytics
Design Thinking for Data Professionals
Skills you'll gain: User Research, UI/UX Research, Human Centered Design, User Centered Design, Ideation, User Experience Design, Design Thinking, Prototyping, Usability, Brainstorming, Persona (User Experience), Innovation, Usability Testing, Data Synthesis, Customer Insights, Decision Making, Interviewing Skills
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: New
Microsoft
Microsoft Data Visualization
Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Data Analysis Expressions (DAX), Data Presentation, Power BI, Data Ethics, Dashboard, Data Visualization Software, Data Modeling, Data Governance, Extract, Transform, Load, Data Visualization, Business Intelligence, Interactive Data Visualization, Data Analysis, Statistical Analysis, Data Architecture, Correlation Analysis, Data Cleansing, Data Transformation, Database Design
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
52 reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
University of Colorado Boulder
Communicating Business Analytics Results
Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Data Presentation, Data Visualization, Business Analytics, Data Visualization Software, Presentations, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Data Analysis, Business Analysis, Analysis, Technical Communication
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
516 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Applying Data Analytics in Accounting
Skills you'll gain: Internal Controls, Data Visualization, Robotic Process Automation, Auditing, Internal Auditing, Alteryx, Financial Auditing, Accounting, Business Process Automation, Analytics, Data Analysis, Text Mining, R Programming, Blockchain, Natural Language Processing, Cybersecurity
Build toward a degree
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
65 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Business Analytics Executive Overview
Skills you'll gain: Business Analytics, Data Presentation, Analytics, Data Visualization Software, Data Analysis, Business Intelligence, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Trend Analysis, Predictive Analytics, Data Strategy, Data Warehousing, Data Science, Workforce Planning, Business Transformation
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
278 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
LearnQuest
Key Technologies in Data Analytics
Skills you'll gain: Data Warehousing, Data Analysis, Cloud Computing, Data Architecture, Big Data, Cloud Services, Analytics, Data Storage, Cloud Computing Architecture, Cloud Infrastructure, Cloud Solutions, Scalability, Data Processing, Extract, Transform, Load, Cloud Platforms, Database Architecture and Administration, Statistical Analysis, Data Strategy, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Spreadsheet Software
3.7
Rating, 3.7 out of 5 stars
141 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Microsoft
Data Analysis and Visualization with Power BI
Skills you'll gain: Dashboard, Power BI, Data Storytelling, Data Visualization Software, Microsoft Power Platform, Data Presentation, Advanced Analytics, Statistical Reporting, Interactive Data Visualization, Business Intelligence, Data Analysis, Web Content Accessibility Guidelines
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
725 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months