What is a business analyst and how can they help your business to progress?

The business analyst is one of a plethora of vital IT roles making an appearance in our increasingly digital working world. A business analyst disseminates the information contained in analytical data and finds ways where the analytics correlates to the business processes. Once identified, these processes can be highlighted, streamlined, improved, or changed, depending on the solution applied.

We wanted to know what the business analyst actually does in their day to day role. We were also curious about how you could land a job as a business analyst, if that is your preferred career. Here’s everything we could find out.

What Exactly Does the Business Analyst Do?

A business analyst first studies your business and all of its individual processes. They then turn to the analytical data provided by your IT department or by an outsourced data scientist. Once compared, they use their extensive knowledge of enhancing business processes through digital application to improve your service to a streamlined effect. In short, they use business processes to improve your production, speed, and products or services.

The next step for the business analyst is to pass that information further up the ladder to ensure the correct authorities can act upon it. There’s no use identifying areas for potential improvement and not passing that information on to those that can affect those changes. They may also be involved in implementation of their own digital solutions, depending on their areas of expertise.

Becoming a business analyst is a highly rewarding career. It provides financial stability on a sliding scale which improves the bigger the corporation that hires you. There is plenty of scope for consultation work, and you could make successful solo career of it should you wish to start your own small business.

How Do you Become a Business Analyst?

Before you rush off and start applying for Business Analyst Jobs online, you need the skills and qualifications necessary to be a successful competitor. To become an effective competitor in the field, you will need a bachelor’s degree in a base business-related subject. It might be IT, it might be computing, it could be finance or economics related. This provides the foundation for your ongoing training.

On top of this, you can then specialise in business analytics through a full-time apprenticeship to a business that operates in partnership with your university. There will be businesses in your local area that are willing to take you on and show you the ropes for a reduced wage. Once you have a sufficient amount of training in this field, it is time to move on to applying to business in the real working world.

A typical starting salary for a business analyst is around £43k per year. This will improve as your skills improve. You should stay on your toes and not settle too long with any one firm if you want to advance your career. IT jobs are all about gathering strength in different areas. Don’t be afraid to fly free.