Business plan courses can help you learn market analysis, financial forecasting, operational planning, and effective pitching techniques. You can build skills in identifying target audiences, crafting value propositions, and developing marketing strategies. Many courses introduce tools like SWOT analysis, business model canvases, and financial modeling software, which can enhance your ability to create comprehensive and persuasive business plans.

Michigan State University
Skills you'll gain: Financial Statements, Intellectual Property, Value Propositions, Financial Statement Analysis, Business Planning, Design Thinking, Ideation, Innovation, Income Statement, Entrepreneurship, Self-Starter, Customer Acquisition Management, Business Modeling, Product Development, Balance Sheet, Market Opportunities, New Product Development, Verification And Validation, Milestones (Project Management), Leadership
★ 4.5 (1.3K) · Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

University of Virginia
Skills you'll gain: Growth Strategies, Business Strategy, Strategic Thinking, Plan Execution, Strategic Planning, Mergers & Acquisitions, Competitive Analysis, Organizational Strategy, Business Ethics, Peer Review, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Business Planning, Corporate Strategy, Strategic Leadership, Strategic Decision-Making, Governance, Stakeholder Management, New Business Development, Business Research, Analysis
★ 4.8 (4.9K) · Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Madecraft
Skills you'll gain: Marketing Planning, Marketing Strategies, Marketing, Strategic Marketing, Marketing Management, Market Share, Business Planning, Marketing Strategy and Techniques, Value Propositions, Marketing Effectiveness, Brand Marketing, Marketing Budgets, Market Research, Marketing Communications, Data-Driven Marketing, Product Marketing, Market Analysis, Product Strategy, Competitive Analysis, Business Strategy
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

University of Maryland, College Park
Skills you'll gain: Customer Analysis, Value Propositions, Closing (Sales), Entrepreneurial Finance, Entrepreneurship, Business Planning, Sales Strategy, Ideation, Sales Pipelines, Innovation, Customer Insights, Risk Management, Risk Analysis, Proposal Development, New Product Development, Sales Presentations, Business Modeling, Strategic Thinking, Market Analysis, Finance
★ 4.6 (2.3K) · Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

University of Virginia
Skills you'll gain: Financial Statements, Financial Accounting, Balance Sheet, Financial Reporting, Financial Statement Analysis, Design Thinking, Accounting, Innovation, Journey Mapping, Process Design, Entrepreneurship, Philanthropy, Courage, Leadership Development, Corporate Sustainability, Stakeholder Engagement, Professional Development, Business Ethics, Finance, HR Tech
★ 4.8 (7.8K) · Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

University of Pennsylvania
Skills you'll gain: Financial Statements, Operations Management, Customer Analysis, Operations, Operational Efficiency, Financial Statement Analysis, Operational Excellence, Return On Investment, Accrual Accounting, Human Capital, Process Improvement and Optimization, Process Analysis, Branding, Marketing, People Management, Capital Budgeting, Finance, Peer Review, Project Design, Corporate Finance
★ 4.7 (27K) · Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

University of Washington
Skills you'll gain: Oral Expression, Negotiation, Telephone Skills, Proposal Writing, Presentations, Events and Conferences, Verbal Communication Skills, Persuasive Communication, Event Planning, Sales Presentations, Event Management, Proposal Development, Peer Review, Business Communication, Business Correspondence, Communication, Business Writing, Public Speaking, Outbound Calls, English Language
★ 4.7 (4.9K) · Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

Harvard Business Review
Skills you'll gain: Business Planning, Operating Budget, Budget Management, Business Strategy, Resource Allocation, Budgeting, Marketing Operations, Project Planning, Organizational Strategy, Marketing Strategies, Capital Budgeting, Variance Analysis, Competitive Analysis, Financial Planning, Goal Setting, Finance
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

Microsoft
Skills you'll gain: Excel Formulas, Process Flow Diagrams, Microsoft Power Platform, Business Process Modeling, User Story, Business Requirements, Stakeholder Management, Data Modeling, Process Modeling, Microsoft Excel, Software Development Life Cycle, Requirements Analysis, Requirements Elicitation, Quality Management, Diagram Design, Power BI, Microsoft Visio, Stakeholder Engagement, Business Analysis, Data Analysis
★ 4.6 (1.6K) · Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months

Skills you'll gain: Requirements Management, Stakeholder Engagement, Strategic Planning, Performance Measurement, Business Process Modeling, Systems Analysis, Root Cause Analysis, Business Planning, Competitive Analysis, Business Strategy, Risk Mitigation, Stakeholder Analysis, Analysis, Process Management, Organizational Strategy, Change Requests, Stakeholder Communications, Business Process Management, Enterprise Architecture, Interviewing Skills
★ 4.7 (354) · Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

Skills you'll gain: Process Analysis, Process Modeling, Business Process, Business Analysis, Process Mapping, Process Management, Process Flow Diagrams, Business Process Modeling, Business Modeling, Stakeholder Management, Stakeholder Analysis, Computer Literacy
★ 4.5 (7.6K) · Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
University of Pennsylvania
Skills you'll gain: Risk Modeling, Risk Management, Cash Flow Forecasting, Business Modeling, Mathematical Modeling, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Statistical Modeling, Portfolio Management, Forecasting, Regression Analysis, Financial Modeling, Risk Analysis, Data Modeling, Business Analytics, Data Presentation, Quantitative Research, Presentations, Spreadsheet Software, Predictive Modeling, Microsoft Excel
★ 4.5 (11K) · Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Careers related to business planning are diverse and can be found in various sectors. Some potential job titles include Business Analyst, Project Manager, Business Development Manager, and Entrepreneur. These roles often involve creating and implementing business strategies, analyzing market trends, and ensuring that business objectives are met. Additionally, positions in consulting firms or startups may require strong business planning skills to help organizations grow and adapt.
Some of the best online courses for learning about business planning include Planning: Principled, Proposing, Proofing, and Practicing to a Success Plan and Action-Driven Business Plan: From the ‘Classroom' to the World. These courses provide practical insights and frameworks that can help you create effective business plans.
Typical topics covered in business plan courses include market analysis, competitive analysis, financial projections, marketing strategies, and operational planning. Courses may also address how to present a business plan effectively and the importance of adapting the plan as the business evolves. Understanding these topics can provide a comprehensive foundation for creating a successful business plan.
For training and upskilling employees in business planning, courses like IBM Business Analyst Professional Certificate and Google Business Intelligence Professional Certificate can be particularly beneficial. These programs equip learners with essential skills in data analysis and strategic planning, which are crucial for effective business decision-making.