Innovative Business Analysis curriculum for Computer Science, IT and engineering programs

The research focused on Business Analysis (BA) applications in industry clearly shows that companies and businesses will soon need a significant number of well educated and highly skilled business analysts in Information Technology (IT), Computer Information Systems (CIS), Computer Science (CS) and Engineering areas. Information Technology Business Analysis (ITBA) graduates and experts must be equipped with knowledge and skills with dual business and IT focus; particularly, they must obtain a traditional BA set of skills such as enterprise analysis, knowledge of main business functions, BA planning and monitoring, and deep knowledge of computer systems' analysis, design and integration, software and computer hardware systems, requirements engineering, IT infrastructure, IT management, and IT quality management. The findings and outcomes of performed analysis motivated the authors - faculty and graduate students of the Computer Science and Information Systems (CS&IS) Department at Bradley University (Peoria, IL, U.S.A.) - to work collaboratively, propose and design innovative academic curriculum - main topics, tools, courseware, lab practicum - in ITBA area for engineering education.