Business analysis is a complex yet necessary process for the growth of any organization or business. In the simplest of terms, business analysis is a research-based discipline that helps identify business needs and determine solutions to various business problems.
It sounds significant and interesting, but not everyone can be a successful business analyst. So, we will discuss how to become a business analyst below, but before that, we will talk about the rest of the important things you should know to become a business analyst.
What does a business analyst do?
So, we are starting with the most important thing to know, i.e., what do business analysts do? The business analysis mainly focuses on identifying the needs of businesses and the problems they are facing, along with the relevant solutions to these problems. So, business analysts are individuals equipped with certain skills, experience, and knowledge about tools and data by which they can identify needs and determine solutions to business problems.
The business analyst’s qualifications may vary in terms of academic background, but the analytical skills and knowledge about tools and their proper utilization in various circumstances are essential. Usually, the solutions for many business needs are based on developing software systems or their components, process improvement, changes in organizational structure, strategic planning, and policies.
What skills are required to become a business analyst?
A bachelor’s degree in business development can only provide some of the relevant academic qualifications needed for a business analyst. Several hard, soft, and transferable skills are required to become a business analyst. So, these are the skills you must have to become a business analyst.
- Analytical skills you must be capable of appropriately identifying the actual problems a company is facing and understanding them correctly.
- Evaluation and critical thinking – determining the needs by communicating with the stakeholders and critically evaluating the specified conditions. It is your job to ensure that the requirements address the underlying problems.
- Research skills include interviewing relevant people, analyzing documents and data, and observing procedures to identify the core issues.
- Problem-solving skills – Assist in understanding the issues affecting the project or the business. Also, you have to keep the stakeholders intact to achieve agreement.
- Written and verbal communication skills – Interviews, meetings, and discussions are important parts of a business analyst’s job because they help them understand the company’s requirements. Strong writing skills are necessary to document and share findings through reports and action plans.
- Interpersonal skills setting priorities and pushing change in an organization or a team cannot work without cooperation, for which convincing via interpersonal skills are necessary.
- A business analyst needs to have superb organizational skills to get things done effectively.
- Technical skills – These can vary in job needs, but a few things certainly give some people an edge over others. These include good command of MS Office, business analysis, and requirements management tools.
How do I get started as a business analyst?
So, we have discussed what business analysis is, what business analysts do, and what skills are required if someone is willing to be a business analyst. Now we will discuss the relevant business analyst qualifications and other important aspects of a career as a business analyst.
Get the relevant business analyst qualifications.
No specific bachelor’s degree in business analytics is available to make someone a business analyst. However, the most common requirements include a bachelor’s degree in business administration or other related fields. These include computer science, accounting, information technology, and management information systems.
Any of these degrees is good enough to land you an entry-level position as a business analyst. Once you enter the organization, you can further develop your skills and credibility through experience and professional certifications. Additionally, recruiters often look for a graduate degree as well, so pursuing your Master of Science in Business Analytics (MS-BA), Master of Science in Information, Management (MSIM), and Master of Business Administration (MBA) would be beneficial.
Understanding and utility of business analysis tools
Plenty of business analysis tools are being used professionally by many business analysts around the globe. So, to keep up with it, you must know about these tools, and it would be even better if you could use one effectively. One of the biggest reasons why we created Pearls was to help such individuals they can easily use the business analysis and requirements management software to get better at it.
Business analyst career progression
The greatest part about this profession is that there are plenty of opportunities, and many companies offer extra training and professional courses to further your skills and knowledge. Your experience, skills, and knowledge matter a lot, so working hard in the organization from the entry-level is crucial. As a business analyst, it is possible to progress to a senior position and even advance to the director or executive-level professional level.
Gain experience and be a problem solver
Several business analysts are originally from other professions, like web developers or accountants, but they come this way to find new career challenges. With their insights into the field and expertise, certification is useful for gaining credibility. If this can be coupled with professional success, then nothing can stop you because reaching this level requires experience, dedication to this field, and a passion for problem-solving.
So, here’s everything you need to know about becoming a business analyst. If you have any suggestions or want to add more, please drop us a line!
