I decided to compile a list of books that have been useful to me, as a business analyst.

I have included cover pictures and a link to Amazon for more information on the book.

Some of these books are designed to be a reference to help you in your job, some of them to help with specific BA qualification and some just to read and retain. I have placed the books in order of importance and influence to my knowledge as a Business Analyst:

Business Analysis

Don Yeates, Debra Paul, Tony Jenkins, Keith Hindle (Paperback – Apr 21, 2006)

£24.42

This is the main text for the BA Diploma and I think the first and main text to concentrate on as a BA.
CBAP Certified Business Analysis Professional All-in-One Exam Guide with CDROM

Joseph Phillips (Hardcover – Aug 1, 2009)

£17.99

So far, the first book covering the CBAP syllabus.
Soft Systems Methodology in Action

Peter Checkland (Paperback – May 30, 1999)

£24.70

I have been using this book since University Soft Systems Methodology is the

basis of all Business Analysis.
Diagnosing the System for Organizations (Classic Beer Series)

Stafford Beer (Paperback – Sep 28, 1994)

£19.99

This describes the Viable Systems Model (VSM) and explains how to conceptualise business functions.
A Pragmatic Guide to Business Process Modelling

Jon Holt (Paperback – Sep 26, 2005)

£19.45

This is a great book to assist in Business Process Modelling.
Getting it Right: Business Requirement Analysis Tools and Techniques

Kathleen B. Hass, Don Wessels, Kevin Brennan (Paperback – Oct 4, 2007)

£15.64

This book breaks down the Requirements phases, describing tools and techniques as well as theory.
Business Information Systems: Analysis, Design and Practice

Mr Graham Curtis, Dr David Cobham (Paperback – Sep 9, 2004)

£30.00

This is a book I used at university and still seem to delve into often
IT Business Analysis in Investment Banking: A Definitive Guide to Business Analysis in Invest…

Essvale Corporation Limited (Paperback – Aug 1, 2010)

£24.95

Have just bought this, as I work in this industry - so far an interesting read for this niche - and very true!
Strategic Management and Business Analysis

David Williamson, Peter Cooke, Wyn Jenkins, Keith Michael Moreton (Paperback – Nov 19, 2003)

£29.89

An area many senior BA’s get involved in - scoping of strategy. A very good book.
Writing Better Requirements

Ian Alexander, Richard Stevens (Paperback – Jul 17, 2002)

£18.58

A great book on requirements theory and psychology.
Business Process Analysis

Geoffrey Darnton, Moksha Darnton (Hardcover – May 29, 1997)

£30.00

An important skill for BA’s and a good book
Systems Thinking, Systems Practice: Includes a 30 Year Retrospective

Peter Checkland (Paperback – Jul 29, 1999)

£28.14

Classic,this book explains the bigger picture and using systemic theory to view the problem situation.
Brain of the Firm (Classic Beer Series)

Stafford Beer (Paperback – Sep 28, 1994)

£40.38

Stafford Beer follows on the VSM work to describe how the business should be led.
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