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How to become a Business Analyst

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Career progression and salary expectations for a Business Analyst

Business Analyst

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The role of a Business Analyst

What does a Business Analyst do?

Business Analysts: Making the world a better place, one office at a time…

Business Analysts (known as BAs) are responsible for analysing a business’s processes and investigating how they work. They then identify improvements that can be made and present the case for these improvements back to the business.

Although specific responsibilities vary greatly from specialism to specialism, the role of a Business Analyst will generally include the following:

Analysing the business (either one element or the business as a whole)
Evaluating all available data
Identifying any problems that need addressing or potential improvements
Projecting how feasible these improvements are to make
Using all of the acquired information to present a business case back to the company which details the solutions
Implementing the necessary and agreed-to changes, overall increasing efficiency for the business

Is a career as a Business Analyst right for me?

To be successful as a Business Analyst, excellent analytical skills are an obvious pre-requisite. You will need to be objective when evaluating elements within the business, combining your observations with an acute awareness of any developments within the marketplace in order to present any outcome.

You will be spending most of your time researching processes and extrapolating data, so self-motivation and the ability to work independently are also necessities.

Other key skills include:

Exceptional problem solving skills
Superior communication skills, not to mention the ability to be objective
Reporting and presentation skills
Computer literacy, not to mention proficiency in Microsoft Office (in particular Microsoft Excel)
The passion and confidence to justify your suggestions and back them up with solid research and analysis

What's it like to be a Business Analyst?

"Being a BA gives me the opportunity to put my analytical and problem solving skills to good use, as well as witness my recommendations being put into practice on a daily basis. It’s not all numbers and analysis, as it often requires collaboration, which is ideal as I love to bounce ideas off the people I work with."

Get qualified as a Business Analyst

While a degree isn't always essential, some employers look for candidates with a bachelor's or master's degree in fields like business administration, finance, computer science, or related disciplines. Technical proficiency with tools like Microsoft Excel, SQL, visualisation software, project management tools, and business process modeling applications, is also extremely useful for an aspiring Business Analyst.

Pursuing certifications like the Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP) or Entry Certificate in Business Analysis (ECBA) can also further validate your expertise and commitment to the field.

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