Root Cause, Strategic & Performance Analysis with AI

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Overview

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This course strengthens the analytical core of the Business Analyst role. Learners use 5 Whys, Fishbone diagrams, SWOT, MECE thinking, KPI design, and performance measurement to move from symptoms to root causes. They learn how to connect evidence, business goals, and stakeholder priorities before recommending action. AI is introduced as a support for organizing information, generating hypotheses, and comparing options. By the end, learners will be able to diagnose business problems and frame recommendations backed by structured analysis.

Syllabus

Root Cause Analysis: 5 Whys & Fishbone
- Effective business analysis begins with understanding why a problem exists, not simply responding to its symptoms. In this module, learners explore practical approaches to root cause analysis and develop techniques that support more informed decision-making. The module introduces the distinction between surface-level issues and the underlying causes that drive them, helping learners focus their analysis where it creates the greatest value. Learners will apply the 5 Whys technique to investigate problems through structured questioning, enabling them to move beyond assumptions and uncover deeper business drivers. They will also learn how to use Fishbone Diagrams to organise and assess contributing factors across areas such as people, processes, technology, policy, data, and environment. These tools provide a clear framework for exploring complex issues and identifying relationships between potential causes. The module also examines how AI can support root cause analysis through pattern recognition, anomaly detection, and evidence-based investigation. By combining analytical thinking with practical tools and AI-supported insights, learners will be better equipped to diagnose business problems accurately and recommend solutions that address the true source of an issue.
SWOT Analysis
- SWOT Analysis is a practical framework that helps business analysts understand an organisation's current position and make more informed strategic decisions. In this module, learners explore how to distinguish between internal factors, such as strengths and weaknesses, and external influences, including opportunities and threats. Understanding this distinction is essential for developing realistic recommendations and identifying areas for improvement. Learners will examine how to assess organisational capabilities objectively, using evidence rather than assumptions. The module explores techniques for identifying strengths that can be leveraged and weaknesses that may limit performance or create risk. Attention then shifts to the external environment, where learners will evaluate factors such as market conditions, competition, regulation, and emerging trends that can shape business outcomes. The module also introduces AI-enabled strategic monitoring and environmental scanning. Learners will discover how AI can support continuous analysis by identifying patterns, tracking external developments, and highlighting potential opportunities or risks. By combining structured SWOT analysis with AI-supported insights, learners will be better equipped to understand changing business conditions, support strategic planning, and contribute to more effective business decisions.
Hypothesis-Driven Problem Solving & MECE
- Business analysts are often faced with complex problems that require structured thinking rather than quick assumptions. This module introduces hypothesis-driven problem solving, a practical approach that helps learners investigate issues through evidence, testing, and validation. By forming clear hypotheses before exploring solutions, analysts can focus their efforts on the most likely causes and opportunities. Learners will explore how to break down complex business challenges using MECE thinking, ensuring that problem areas are analysed logically, completely, and without overlap. This structured approach supports clearer communication, stronger analysis, and more efficient decision-making. The module also examines how AI can act as an analytical partner by generating alternative hypotheses, highlighting overlooked possibilities, and challenging existing assumptions. Finally, learners will explore AI-native analytical systems that support continuous monitoring and ongoing hypothesis testing. These approaches help organisations respond more effectively to changing business conditions and emerging issues. By combining structured problem decomposition with AI-assisted exploration, learners will develop a practical framework for investigating business problems, evaluating evidence, and identifying well-supported recommendations.
KPI Definition & Performance Metrics Alignment
- Measuring performance effectively is essential for understanding whether business activities are delivering the intended results. In this module, learners explore the fundamentals of key performance indicators and develop the skills needed to define metrics that support better decision-making. The module begins by examining the difference between outputs and outcomes, helping learners focus on measures that reflect genuine business value. Learners will discover how to design KPIs that are clear, relevant, measurable, and actionable. Attention is placed on selecting metrics that support business objectives and provide meaningful insight into performance. The module also explores how AI can support KPI monitoring by identifying trends, highlighting performance gaps, and generating insights that may otherwise be missed through manual analysis. In addition, learners will examine adaptive KPI systems that evolve alongside changing business priorities. These AI-supported approaches enable continuous performance intelligence and more responsive decision-making. By the end of the module, learners will be able to create effective performance measures, interpret results confidently, and use AI-assisted analysis to support ongoing business improvement and operational success.
Linking KPIs to Strategic Goals
- Strong performance measurement depends on clear alignment between organisational strategy and day-to-day activities. This module helps learners understand how KPIs should connect directly to strategic goals, ensuring that performance data supports meaningful business outcomes rather than isolated reporting. Learners will explore techniques for mapping KPIs to strategic objectives and understanding how measures contribute to wider organisational success. The module examines KPI hierarchies and cascading performance structures, showing how strategic goals translate into departmental targets, team objectives, and operational activities. This perspective helps analysts understand how performance at different levels influences overall business results. The module also introduces AI-assisted strategic performance analysis, demonstrating how AI can monitor alignment, identify emerging gaps, and detect signs of strategic drift. Learners will examine adaptive KPI systems that continuously evaluate changing business priorities and performance requirements. By understanding how strategy, measurement, and execution connect, learners will be better prepared to support evidence-based decision-making, maintain organisational focus, and ensure that performance measurement remains aligned with business goals.
Data Collection & Validation Techniques
- Reliable analysis depends on reliable evidence. This module focuses on the collection, assessment, and validation of business data, helping learners build confidence in the information used to support recommendations and decisions. Understanding how data is gathered and evaluated is a core skill for every business analyst. Learners will explore different sources of business evidence and examine how data quality influences analytical outcomes. The module introduces practical techniques for assessing accuracy, completeness, consistency, and reliability, enabling learners to identify potential issues before data is used in analysis. These validation practices help improve trust in findings and reduce the risk of poor decision-making. The module also examines how AI can support data monitoring and validation through pattern recognition, anomaly detection, and continuous assessment. Learners will discover how AI-native data intelligence systems help organisations maintain high-quality information and identify concerns more quickly. By combining sound validation practices with AI-assisted monitoring, learners will be better equipped to work with trustworthy data, produce stronger analysis, and support informed business decisions.
Root Cause,Strategic & Performance Analysis with AI Assessment
- This module provides learners with an opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills developed throughout the course in a realistic business analysis scenario. Working through a practical case study, learners will draw on techniques from root cause analysis, strategic assessment, problem solving, KPI development, performance alignment, and data validation to investigate business challenges and develop informed recommendations. The project encourages learners to think critically, evaluate evidence, and apply structured analytical approaches to real-world situations. Rather than focusing on individual tools in isolation, learners will demonstrate how different techniques work together to support effective business analysis and decision-making. Throughout the assessment, learners will also explore how AI can be used responsibly to support research, identify patterns, test assumptions, and strengthen analytical outcomes. By completing the case study, learners will gain practical experience in applying business analysis methods within a business context. The module reinforces the importance of evidence-based thinking, clear communication, and professional judgement, helping learners build confidence in addressing business problems and delivering recommendations that create meaningful organisational value.

Taught by

KPMG India

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