What does a business analyst do?
Business analysts are employees who are responsible for interpreting business data and coming up with business solutions. They are well-versed in whatever business the company is in, and they have strong business acumen. They collect data related to the business and then interpret and analyze the data. Business analysts should be able to conduct different levels of analyses and must also be able to create a sound study. Once the analysis is done, they provide recommendations or strategic direction to decision-makers that will help the business become sustainable and grow.
Business analyst responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real business analyst resumes:
- Lead the implementation of a web-base application in an UNIX environment for an organization that manages pharmacy claims data.
- Lead CRP sessions during implementation, design and testing.
- Manage the resolution of forty plus software issues with PeopleSoft's design and development teams.
- Used ALM as the requirements management tool to capture, prioritize, and manage requirements.
- Complete updated version of website and provide CMS system to internal staff to manage website content.
- Manage PeopleSoft security audits, end-user support for security issues, and security changes to role and permission lists.
- Mentore junior business analysts on writing requirements, specifying them, and modeling them in diagrams using VISIO.
- Perform data validation using SQL query, access and excel and UI functional and non-functional requirement during QA and UAT phases.
- Work directly with sales representative and sales management as the SME for profit improvement data analysis projects including age inventory reduction.
- Define the payroll periods and pay dates for each payroll area.
- Assist in the development of system data and processes that maintain compliance with payroll requirements.
- Train new associates on a global team using WebEx and PowerPoint, increasing productivity and functionality.
- Deliver presentations to business owners in the form of wireframes, PowerPoint slides and requirement documents.
- Document and analyze defects using ALM and track them to completion by communicating with the team.
- Build consensus among other departments and Sr. HR leaders for successful execution of system enhancements and upgrades.
Business analyst skills and personality traits
We calculated that 7% of Business Analysts are proficient in Project Management, Data Analysis, and Business Analysis. They’re also known for soft skills such as Creativity, Analytical skills, and Communication skills.
We break down the percentage of Business Analysts that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Project Management, 7%
Added value to company providing services to both enterprise and government organizations through utilization of both financial and project management skills.
- Data Analysis, 6%
Utilized data analysis to explain business issues and financial implications, recommended improvements to enable business units to improve processes.
- Business Analysis, 6%
Perform critical business analysis in areas of operations and revenue cycle management, made recommendations to management and secured project approval.
- User Stories, 5%
Implemented MyPortal relaunch project with reinvigorated websites and digital assets and content using agile methodology with 300 developed user stories.
- User Acceptance, 4%
Created user acceptance test scripts in validated quality management testing system and facilitated testing sessions for various sized system deployments.
- Test Cases, 3%
Provided clear and concise documentation regarding requirements management plans, Functional Requirements, supplemental Requirements, Test Plans and Test Cases.
Common skills that a business analyst uses to do their job include "project management," "data analysis," and "business analysis." You can find details on the most important business analyst responsibilities below.
Creativity. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a business analyst to have is creativity. Their role and responsibilities require that "because analysts are tasked with finding innovative solutions to computer problems, an ability to “think outside the box” is important." Business analysts often use creativity in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "plant launch specialist for plant operations, material flow & planning, inventory control and erp. "
Analytical skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling business analyst duties is analytical skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "analysts must interpret complex information from various sources and decide the best way to move forward on a project." According to a business analyst resume, here's how business analysts can utilize analytical skills in their job responsibilities: "improved operational visibility and business decision making by leading implementation of business intelligence, data visualization, and management reporting. "
Communication skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of business analysts is communication skills. This skill is critical to many everyday business analyst duties, as "analysts work as a go-between with management and the it department and must explain complex issues in a way that both will understand." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "provided daily communications including scrum notes, sprint review reports and project retrospective. "
The three companies that hire the most business analysts are:
- Oracle452 business analysts jobs
- General Dynamics431 business analysts jobs
- Change Healthcare381 business analysts jobs
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Compare different business analysts
Business analyst vs. Technical analyst
A technical analyst is responsible for analyzing technical information and aligning it to the business strategies and procedures in meeting project goals. Technical analysts monitor technical system errors and provide immediate resolutions to ensure an efficient and smooth flow of operations. They comply with the business requirements and clients' specifications to facilitate the technical team with the best techniques to get the job done. A technical analyst should have excellent critical-thinking and communication skills, as well as having a broad knowledge of the technology industry and disciplines.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, business analyst responsibilities require skills like "project management," "business analysis," "user stories," and "scrum." Meanwhile a typical technical analyst has skills in areas such as "customer service," "c #," "troubleshoot," and "technical support." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Technical analysts tend to make the most money working in the retail industry, where they earn an average salary of $88,568. In contrast, business analysts make the biggest average salary, $91,354, in the finance industry.technical analysts tend to reach lower levels of education than business analysts. In fact, technical analysts are 6.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Business analyst vs. Developer analyst
A developer analyst is an individual who is responsible for building application requirements and develops database solutions that allow operational efficiency and user-friendly tools. Developer analysts are required to develop a detailed definition of business solutions that can include database design, data flow, and transaction processing requirements. They work with other teams to design and implement a web application that manages internal processes and can result in increased productivity. Developer analysts are also required to perform integration tests for various vendors for services that are according to business requirements and testing processes.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that business analyst responsibilities requires skills like "project management," "business analysis," "user stories," and "scrum." But a developer analyst might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "c++," "eclipse," "architecture," and "web services."
On average, developer analysts earn a higher salary than business analysts. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, developer analysts earn the most pay in the finance industry with an average salary of $99,277. Whereas business analysts have higher pay in the finance industry, with an average salary of $91,354.In general, developer analysts achieve similar levels of education than business analysts. They're 1.0% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for business analysts in the next 3-5 years?
Erik Johnson Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Economics, Carthage College
Business analyst vs. Senior technical business analyst
Senior Technical Business Analysts are experienced employees who primarily work on business improvements. They review business processes and other operations-related procedures in relation to the current business landscape. They should be familiar with the trends in the industry and how these trends affect the company. They should also be familiar with the company processes, people's capabilities, and other context-setting information related to the business. Senior Technical Business Analysts work with different departments to get a holistic view of the company. This would help them recommend action plans and next steps to address the company's challenges and ensure that the company overcomes these challenges.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a business analyst is likely to be skilled in "digital transformation," "excellent interpersonal," "microsoft visio," and "business process models," while a typical senior technical business analyst is skilled in "business process," "business stakeholders," "visio," and "business analysts."
Senior technical business analysts make a very good living in the energy industry with an average annual salary of $122,449. On the other hand, business analysts are paid the highest salary in the finance industry, with average annual pay of $91,354.Most senior technical business analysts achieve a similar degree level compared to business analysts. For example, they're 0.4% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.9% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Business analyst vs. Business analyst/quality analyst
A business analyst/quality analyst is responsible for evaluating business outputs and operational processes to ensure that everything adheres to the quality standards and business regulations. Business analysts/quality analysts support senior management in determining solutions to improve the company's services and provide the highest satisfaction for the customers and clients. They also conduct data and statistical analysis by assessing the market trends to identify opportunities that would generate more revenue resources and increase profitability for the business.
Types of business analyst
Updated January 8, 2025
