Today the role of a business analyst is on everyone’s mind. No matter the business you operate in, business analyst is probably one of the first roles you’d like to have in your team. It’s this person who understands your business strategy and needs and tries to find technological solutions for them. With all the documents and processes they can analyze, they bring an invaluable contribution to your company.
Business analysts work as mediators between the development team and the business, assessing risks, facilitating communication, and interpreting the relevant business processes. Before you decide to hire a business analyst for your team, let’s look at how a day in the life of a business analyst looks like. What benefit do they bring to your business development?
A Business Analyst’s Day in the Life of Your Company
Under the umbrella of a business analyst we consider multiple streams, like market research analysts or operations research analysts. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the need for these professionals will grow from 11% to even 25% by 2032.
Their tasks can thus differ, depending on the project size, organization, or business. But the core areas of focus remain the same. A day in the life of a business analyst normally covers these areas:
- Collection and analysis of business data. At the beginning of every new project, a business analyst should understand business requirements and strategy for further gathering of information. Then they proceed with the collection of data from various sources before starting analyzing it.
- Process improvement. They take an active part in identifying opportunities for the business, which lead to process improvements. In addition to analysis, business analysts map the current processes and provide recommendations for further improvement.
- Stakeholder engagement. A business analyst’s day-to-day activities include engaging with multiple stakeholders, be it the development team or the end users.
- Supporting new design. Once the implementation of improvement is agreed on, a business analyst takes an active part in building solutions design. They help to interpret business needs and transform them into technical specifications for the architects.
- Assisting project managers. These tech specialists are always active participants of the project. They cooperate with project managers for the successful delivery of the project results. They can also assist with ordinary activities, such as monitoring the project progress.
- Implementing process changes. Business analysts are goalkeepers of new changes, as they clearly understand if the final result meets the business’ expectations. They keep the progress on track and inform stakeholders of all new implementations.
- Documentation. A day in the life of a business analyst is full of documentation they need to record. This includes registering business strategies, marking the progress of the project, creating process maps, recording new changes or business processes.
To lead the project to a successful result, a business analyst needs to have a special set of skills which will help them with their regular tasks. Which are there? Do they differ significantly from other team members?
What Skills a Business Analyst Should Have?
A business analyst’s day in the life of your organization requires a combination of analytical, technical, and communication skills. During the interview, check your candidate on problem-solving, critical thinking, and cooperation. Here is a list of essential skills, needed in a business analyst’s day-to-day tasks:
- Technical. A business analyst regularly manages tasks related to database analysis, programming, scripting, architecture modeling. They should be proficient in such tools as Java, Python, prototyping tools, such as Axure, and BI tools such as Tableau or Power BI.
- Process modeling. A specialist should be experienced in offering new solutions and processes based on the initial analysis. This skill is closely related to critical thinking and communication.
- Adaptability. The nature of the tech environment is very dynamic, which means that a business analyst’s day in the life of the company can often change. They should also be ready for changing deadlines and requirements.
- Business acumen. To provide accurate forecasts and optimal solutions, a BA should understand the industry and the business trends.
- Problem-solving. Not only business analysts should identify the root causes of the issues, but also offer innovative solutions that would address all business needs.
Once equipped with these skills, knowledge, and experience, business analysts will play a key role in delivering successful project solutions.
Business Analysts as Contributors to Your Company’s Success
Business analysts are those who read between the lines. With the extended knowledge and analysis, they can see the potential areas for improvement in a company. Keeping in mind the current trends and the modern landscape, they are those who offer practical solutions to business needs. They play the role of a mediator, offering process improvements and contributing to a company’s constant growth.
Business analysts become indispensable guides as companies deal with the challenging terrain of digital transformation. With their technical expertise to close the gap between business requirements and technology solutions, they provide valuable insights with data analysis, database management, and the knowledge of a variety of technologies. This guarantees that the solutions they deploy not only address current issues but also fit into long-term corporate plans.
Business analysts enable firms to prosper in a changing and competitive environment by promoting good communication, streamlining procedures, and encouraging innovation. They play a critical role in the ongoing evolution of businesses by ensuring that strategies are turned into workable plans and that each project advances the overall performance of the company.
