What are business metrics?

Business metrics are the benchmarks set up by a business to gauge its performance over a certain period of time in reaching preset goals. Business metrics can be set up for any type of department or division of a company. Teams can set up business metrics for the operational aspects of a company, financial aspects of a company, or the sales, marketing, and advertising aspects of a company. Understanding business metrics can help an organization understand where it's gaining the most ground as a business. Key metrics also point out to executives what parts of the business strategy are working, which parts are not, and which parts are in need of a readjustment to meet a new demand or a new target audience. There are even business metrics used to review the less quantitative elements of a business, like employee happiness, customer loyalty, and marketplace reputation.

Why is it important to learn about business metrics?

If you'll work in a company, it's important to learn about business metrics and understand the importance they play in setting and managing departmental goals. Each part of your company needs to set, control, and review the business metrics in its area. These numbers, targets, and goals will be specific to the initiatives the teams have set for themselves for the upcoming period. If a group reaches its targets set in the business metrics, the company can use those achievements to set budgets for the coming year, reward performances with financial awards, and commit resources where they're needed in the operation.

What career opportunities can arise from learning business metrics?

Learning business metrics can lead to jobs in operations, marketing, sales, finance, or human resources. If you have a keen grasp of knowing the drivers of the business, you can develop career roles for yourself in executive positions that help a group manage its focus, output, and long-term strategy. To get to this point, it will help you to learn about project management, data analysis, and business operations. Getting new knowledge in these courses will help you push your company to quantify its goals with more diligence. The more work you put toward your organization, the better your chances will be to move up the ranks with much more confidence.

How can online courses on Coursera help me learn business metrics?

When you take online courses on Coursera with a focus on business metrics, you'll gain invaluable knowledge on how companies are run, how successes are built, and how winning strategies are achieved. The understanding of business metrics from online courses will enhance your prior business experience and give you a stronger air of authority to make the right decisions for your group. When you take online courses about business metrics, you will learn how to make decisions on crucial areas of the business. At the same time, you'll gain the confidence to elevate your career to the next level. The knowledge you gain will show in everyday work situations.

What are the benefits of taking an online Business Metrics course?

Online Business Metrics courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your existing knowledge or learn new Business Metrics skills. With a wide range of Business Metrics classes, you can conveniently learn at your own pace to advance your Business Metrics career skills.

What Business Metrics courses are best for training and upskilling employees or the workforce?

When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Business Metrics, it's crucial to select a course that aligns with their current abilities and learning objectives. Our Skills Dashboard is an invaluable tool for identifying skill gaps and choosing the most appropriate course for effective upskilling. For a comprehensive understanding of how our courses can benefit your employees, explore the enterprise solutions we offer. Discover more about our tailored programs at Coursera for Business here .

Best Business Metrics Courses & Certificates [2025]

Explore the Business Metrics Course Catalog

Status: New
Status: Free Trial
Harvard Business Review
Strengthen Your Business Savvy
Skills you'll gain: Financial Statements, Generative AI, Critical Thinking, Business Modeling, Plan Execution, Financial Acumen, Prompt Engineering, Business Acumen, Financial Management, Budgeting, Business Strategy, Responsible AI, Strategic Decision-Making, Financial Data, Financial Analysis, Strategic Leadership, Income Statement, Balance Sheet, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Digital Transformation
Intermediate · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Duke University
Business Metrics for Data-Driven Companies
Skills you'll gain: Business Analytics, Business Metrics, Analytics, Business Process Improvement, Business Intelligence, Business Process, Tableau Software, Business Analysis, Data Analysis, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Web Analytics, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Digital Transformation, E-Commerce, Financial Services, SQL, Decision Making
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
8.5K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Coursera Instructor Network
Introduction to KPIs: Measuring Success in Business
Skills you'll gain: Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Performance Measurement, Business Metrics, Continuous Improvement Process, Performance Analysis, Business Process Improvement, Performance Improvement, Business Analysis, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Business Priorities, Operational Efficiency, Business Reporting, Smart Goals
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
63 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Duke University
Excel to MySQL: Analytic Techniques for Business
Skills you'll gain: Predictive Modeling, Data Storytelling, Database Design, Dashboard, Predictive Analytics, MySQL, Relational Databases, SQL, Tableau Software, Business Analytics, Business Metrics, Data Visualization Software, Analytics, Data Visualization, Business Process Improvement, Business Analysis, Data Analysis, Big Data, Business Communication, Microsoft Excel
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
15K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Starweaver
Business Analysis: Key Definitions & Strategy Analysis
Skills you'll gain: Business Analysis, Business Process, Business Modeling, Business Process Improvement, Business Risk Management, Business Requirements, Business Strategies, Systems Analysis, Analysis, Organizational Strategy, Case Studies, Risk Management, Requirements Management, Stakeholder Engagement
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
187 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Preview
Starweaver
Fundamentals of Business Analysis
Skills you'll gain: Stakeholder Engagement, Business Analysis, Business Systems Analysis, Organizational Change, Stakeholder Communications, Requirements Analysis, Stakeholder Analysis, Requirements Management, Change Management, Performance Analysis, Project Performance, Business Development, Quality Management
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
89 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

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Explore topics outside of work

Status: New
Status: Free Trial
Coursera Instructor Network
AI-Powered Business Analysis: Excel, KPIs & GenAI
Skills you'll gain: Excel Macros, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Prompt Engineering, Data Storytelling, Performance Measurement, Regression Analysis, Business Metrics, Continuous Improvement Process, Performance Analysis, Business Process Improvement, Performance Improvement, Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Responsible AI, ChatGPT, Microsoft Excel, Generative AI, Data Visualization, Business Analysis, Statistical Analysis, Business Intelligence
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
331 reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Rice University
Business Statistics and Analysis
Skills you'll gain: Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Microsoft Excel, Pivot Tables And Charts, Regression Analysis, Statistics, Descriptive Statistics, Probability & Statistics, Graphing, Spreadsheet Software, Probability Distribution, Business Analytics, Statistical Analysis, Statistical Modeling, Statistical Inference, Excel Formulas, Data Analysis, Data Presentation, Business Analysis, Statistical Methods, Sample Size Determination
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
13K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
ESSEC Business School
Strategic Business Analytics
Skills you'll gain: Marketing Analytics, Business Analytics, Forecasting, Peer Review, Statistical Methods, Predictive Analytics, Customer Analysis, Case Studies, Information Technology, Analytical Skills, Digital Transformation, Advanced Analytics, Statistical Analysis, People Analytics, Statistical Programming, Data Storytelling, Business Strategy, Complex Problem Solving, R Programming, Data Analysis
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
1.3K reviews
Advanced · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
Microsoft
Unlock Business Insights with Microsoft Excel and Power BI
Skills you'll gain: Excel Formulas, Data Storytelling, Microsoft Excel, Dashboard, Pivot Tables And Charts, Power BI, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Microsoft Copilot, Spreadsheet Software, Extract, Transform, Load, Data Literacy, Data Presentation, Data Visualization Software, Generative AI, Data Visualization, Data Analysis, Business Intelligence, Data Processing, Data Collection, Business Metrics
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
650 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Managerial Economics and Business Analysis
Skills you'll gain: Descriptive Statistics, Supply And Demand, Market Dynamics, Sampling (Statistics), Statistical Inference, Business Analytics, Bank Regulations, Financial Systems, Financial Policy, Banking, Probability Distribution, Statistical Analysis, Statistics, Regression Analysis, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Microsoft Excel, Statistical Methods, Probability & Statistics, Economics, Statistical Hypothesis Testing
Build toward a degree
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
4.2K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Business Analytics
Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Data Governance, Marketing Analytics, Data Presentation, Data Visualization, Business Analytics, Accounting, Infographics, Data Management, Data Collection, Data Quality, Data Visualization Software, Internal Controls, Business Analysis, AI Personalization, Analytics, Regression Analysis, Data Analysis, Power BI, Machine Learning
Build toward a degree
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
1.1K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months