“Evolve or die” is a mantra by which many businesses operate, and the task of identifying opportunity and plotting the next evolution often falls to the business analyst. This role doesn’t require a crystal ball, but rather a profound understanding of your company, your people, and your industry, combined with the critical thinking skills needed to confidently chart a course for the future.
If you’re asking yourself, “What can I do with a business degree?” and you want to take a lead role in steering the direction of your organization, here’s what you need to know about what a business analyst does.
What Is a Business Analyst?
In its long-running “BABOK Guide,” a comprehensive business handbook for professionals, the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA) defines business analysis as, “The practice of enabling change in the context of an enterprise by defining needs and recommending solutions that deliver value to stakeholders.”
A business analyst, the guide explains, is “any person who performs business analysis, no matter their job title or organizational role.” This person is “an agent of change,” the IIBA explains, and will ultimately “help businesses do business better.”
What Does a Business Analyst Do?
Business analysts are found in nearly every industry, including for-profit and non-profit companies, as well as government agencies; and they are capable of working in tandem with executive-level leadership, department heads, and project managers. Duties and responsibilities will vary by specific job or company, but a business analyst’s primary responsibilities will include the following five areas:
- Analyze the overall purposes, procedures, and functions of a business, a department, or a project.
- Identify strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities to determine the most effective path forward.
- Develop strategies, define goals, and obtain buy-in from key stakeholders.
- Take a leadership role in problem-solving and implementing organizational best practices.
- Use data-driven decision-making to create workflows and improve processes.
As business analysts are tasked with handling a lot of data, they can be valuable in nearly every industry. An IT company, for example, could employ a business analyst to work with developers and project managers on software solutions, while a financial organization could task a business analyst with financial modeling and risk analysis.
Further, business analysis is not a discipline that requires lengthy experience. Many companies hire entry-level business analysts, giving these professionals an opportunity to grow from within while applying their unique analytical and forward-thinking skillsets to their roles. An entry-level business analyst, for example, could start out working on individual projects within one department before ascending to a role with greater responsibilities and impact on the organization as a whole.
What Skills Should a Business Analyst Possess?
Business analysts are critical thinkers, first and foremost. Whether they are coming to the role as a fresh college graduate or a seasoned professional, a business analyst possesses a toolbox of soft skills that they combine with their knowledge of the company or industry in which they work.
If you’re pursuing a career as a business analyst, you’ll want to sharpen your ability to:
- Communicate with stakeholders at every level, and manage up or down depending on the circumstances.
- Develop professional relationships using your interpersonal skills, so that you can collaborate, delegate, and lead when necessary.
- Perfect your verbal and written communication skills so that your message is delivered effectively and without confusion.
- Manage multiple projects at a time and prioritize using your organizational skills.
- Work independently and effectively to manage your time, as your work may involve shifting deadlines.
- Perform a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis of an organization, department, or project.
Additionally, you’ll need a strong set of hard skills — often gained through your education. These hard skills can involve using software such as Microsoft Office and Adobe Acrobat or more complex business analysis tools such as CASE spec, iRise, or Modern Requirements.
Business analysts are needed in every industry, and your education can help you lead the next evolution for your organization. If you’re ready to pursue your degree and start your path toward a business analyst career, contact an advisor today.
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Certain degree programs may not be available in all states.