No fluff—just the tools that made my BA journey easier.

Introduction

When I first started learning Business Analysis, I was overwhelmed by the number of tools out there. “Should I learn SQL? What’s Lucidchart? Do I really need to use Jira?”

Now that I’ve had some hands-on experience, I’ve found a few tools that made my life easier—and actually helped me think like a BA.

If you’re an aspiring BA, here are 5 tools I recommend trying out (and why I personally like them).

Lucidchart – For Visualizing Thoughts

Sometimes, it’s hard to explain a process with just words. Lucidchart helps you map it out visually with:

Flowcharts
Swimlane diagrams
System architecture sketches
Why I like it: It made me feel confident in meetings. Instead of talking in circles, I could just show what I meant.

Bonus: There’s a free version that’s more than enough for practice.

Google Sheets – For Quick Data Analysis

You don’t need fancy analytics tools in the beginning. Google Sheets is more powerful than people think:

Filter and sort raw data
Use pivot tables
Track requirements or bugs in a mini backlog
Why I like it: It’s simple, cloud-based, and great for collaborating with teams.

Notion – For Organizing Everything

Notion is where I keep:

Case study notes
Templates
My learning roadmap
Blog content ideas 😉
Why I like it: It’s a personal workspace and a planning hub rolled into one. The flexibility is unmatched.

Jira – For Understanding How Agile Works in Real Life

Jira might seem complex at first, but once you get used to it, it teaches you a lot:

How epics, stories, and tasks are tracked
What sprints and backlogs actually look like
How development teams operate
Why I like it: It bridges the gap between BAs and tech teams. Even exploring a demo board is worth it.

ChatGPT – For Quick Learning and Practice

Yes, I use ChatGPT as a learning buddy! I ask:

“Give me a case study scenario to solve”
“What’s a good KPI for customer churn?”
“Rewrite this requirement in simpler language”
Why I like it: It helps me learn faster, especially when I’m stuck or want a quick example.

Final Thoughts

You don’t need to master every tool. Just start with one, explore it, and see how it fits into your way of working. These 5 tools gave me confidence, clarity, and momentum as I stepped into the BA world—and I hope they help you too.

Your Turn

Have you tried any of these? Or is there a tool you absolutely love as an aspiring BA? Drop your favorites in the comments—I’m always up for trying something new!

5 Tools Every Aspiring BA Should Try (and Why I Like Them)