What is a Business Analyst?

Business AnalystIf you want to be part of enabling change within an organization, you may want to consider working towards becoming a business analyst. In business analysis, your primary goal will be to define the needs of an organization and then recommend solutions that will help the organization achieve its long-term goals and that will also benefit stakeholders. Read on, and find out more about the business analyst title and what your roles and responsibilities will be.

The Many Titles of the Business Analyst

Business analysts can hold several different titles. Some of the many titles in business analysis, according to the International Institute of Business Analysis, include: systems analyst, product manager, process analyst, business architect, data scientist, business intelligence analyst, product manager, and quality assurance specialist. Anyone holding any of these titles will need business analysis skills to become an agent of change and to use business analysis techniques to introduce and manage change to organizations, governmental agencies or non-profit agencies.

What Are the Roles and Responsibilities of a Business Analyst?

In a global economy and a complex business environment, no organization can successfully reach their long-term objectives unless they take an innovative approach to change. Analysts will identify a customer’s unique needs, implement technology solutions, and communicate these solutions to stakeholders or partners to help them make sound business decisions.

Some analysts will strictly work on IT projects, while others will use their knowledge in other areas of business to understand the employer’s needs and recommend new products and services that will make a difference. The analyst will assist with the business case, plan new solutions, monitors plans in action, elicit requirements, translate the requirements in terms that the average person can understand, and manage communications.

What Skills Do You Need to Be in Business Analysis?

You will need specialized knowledge in many core areas of business and operations to succeed in business analysis. Most of the skills that you will need can be learned when you attend a formal training program. To be competitive in today’s complex economy, you will need to possess the following skills:

  • Leadership capabilities
  • The ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing
  • Competence in engineering
  • Knowledge of modeling methods
  • Ability to be detail-oriented when doing cost/benefit analysis
  • Forward thinking professional

What Training Do You need to be a Business Systems Analyst?

There is a widening gap between the supply and the demand for business analysts. To bridge this gap, there is a need for graduates with the right qualifications. To become a qualified candidate, you will need to complete a bachelor’s degree program majoring in accounting, finance or business administration. You will complete introductory coursework that will prepare you for an internship or practicum. Some organizations may receive candidates to possess a graduate degree so that they can gain more insight into the field.

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If you want to provide an organization in various sectors with financial or managerial solutions, this could be the perfect career path for you. With the Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting growth of at least 19 percent by 2022, now is the best time to start studying. Be sure to compare accredited programs that are respected and offer you the flexibility that you need to become a business analyst candidate.