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Business functional analyst skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

6 min read

Quoted experts

Hanna Kim Ph.D.,

Van Wood Ph.D.

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical business functional analyst skills. We ranked the top skills for business functional analysts based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 11.9% of business functional analyst resumes contained java as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a business functional analyst needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 business functional analyst skills for your resume and career

1. Java

Java is a widely-known programming language that was invented in 1995 and is owned by Oracle. It is a server-side language that was created to let app developers "write once, run anywhere". It is easy and simple to learn and use and is powerful, fast, and secure. This object-oriented programming language lets the code be reused that automatically lowers the development cost. Java is specially used for android apps, web and application servers, games, database connections, etc. This programming language is closely related to C++ making it easier for the users to switch between the two.

Here's how business functional analysts use java:

Designed and developed several utility applications for automation regression test against all the templates, batch submission and reporting using Java.
Involved in development and deployment of JAVA based intranet portal for trading statistics, profitability analysis and risk measurement.

2. Business Process

A business process is a group of tasks that are performed by people working in a business to attain a worthy product and to present it to their customers. A business process can also be defined as performing several steps to achieve a certain goal set by a company. Business processes need to set purposeful goals and the outcome of that goal should be clear.

Here's how business functional analysts use business process:

Participated in research, data gathering, business analysis and development of strategies to support business decision-making and business process requirements.
Validated requirements with the Business Process Owner and/or Business Analyst to ensure the application requirements satisfy the business requirements.

3. ERP

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) is computer software used by major corporations and organizations for conducting their management and accounting tasks efficiently. ERP systems bind different business processes with each other allowing smoother flow of data between them resulting in swift project assessment and completion.

Here's how business functional analysts use erp:

Provide functional/technical expertise for ERP based projects and/or enhancements and support for application subsystems.
Skilled in producing high quality requirement specifications to support ERP functional design development.

4. UAT

UAT stands for user acceptance testing, and it is the last phase in the software testing process that determines whether the software is fit for the purpose it was built or not. UAT checks two main things; whether the software fulfills the business requirements and can it be used by the end-users. It is the final and most critical step in the testing stages and it determines whether the software should be introduced in the market or not.

Here's how business functional analysts use uat:

Created & testing UAT scripts for PeopleSoft delivered North American Payroll, Tax Updates, Ben Admin since 2 plus years.
Coordinate with the business to complete UAT section of Master Test Plan and coordinate with business to identify UAT test cases.

5. Test Cases

Here's how business functional analysts use test cases:

Reviewed functional and technical requirements to develop test plans and test cases for UNIX-based Interactive Voice Response (IVR) application.
Worked closely with developers to review unit test cases and wrote user scenarios to assist with iterative development and testing.

6. User Acceptance

Here's how business functional analysts use user acceptance:

Worked with users in User acceptance testing Implementation of Marketing Management involved Campaign management, segmentation with E-mail campaigning.
Performed User acceptance test immediately after every build and also implemented Automation testing according to the specifications.

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7. Functional Specifications

Here's how business functional analysts use functional specifications:

Generated functional specifications to document changes to the reporting system; ensured appropriate business sign off on all functional specifications.
Prepared Functional Specifications Document based on requirements document in State Street specific DPF templates 4.

8. BI

Here's how business functional analysts use bi:

Customize supporting reports for AP in Oracle BI Discoverer for month-end and quarter-end analyses.
Provided extensive documentation of data elements and complex data concepts needed to reproduce business reports with a new BI Tool implementation.

9. Manage Change

Here's how business functional analysts use manage change:

Manage meetings with stakeholders and client; manage change requests per client needs using ITIL standards.
Manage change requirements, Requirement Traceability matrix.

10. Visio

Visio or Microsoft Visio is computer software that allows users to create and draw vector graphics according to their requirements. The program is used to draw flowcharts, org charts, data flow diagrams, process flow diagrams, and modeling diagrams. Visio is also used to draw architectural designs including; building and floor plans, and 3D geographical maps.

Here's how business functional analysts use visio:

Project was successfully completed in 6 months Software/Tools: MS Office, MS Visio, SQL, Crystal Reports.
Developed data flow diagrams & sequence diagrams using MS Visio, and collaboration diagrams using Rational Rose.

11. User Stories

Here's how business functional analysts use user stories:

Documented user stories and acceptance criteria for different changes based on business requirements for the developers and testing teams.
Used user stories to define features and functional requirements.

12. Test Scripts

Test scripts validate the quality of the software or app being tested. An effective test script has all the steps to be taken to use a software program as well as the ending result of each step.

Here's how business functional analysts use test scripts:

Prepared and maintained test scripts and participated in integration testing with appropriate end-users and technical groups.
Imported and uploaded test scripts into the IBM Rational testing tools during the System Testing phase of the project.

13. Regression

Here's how business functional analysts use regression:

Performed regression tests before each release with the help of Data Driven Test created using Win Runner.
Performed Smoke, Functional, Integration, System and Regression and End to End testing with banks.

14. Gap Analysis

Here's how business functional analysts use gap analysis:

Test the application using different business case scenarios and preparing gap analysis.
Performed Fit-Gap analysis for identified Fits, suggest solution for identified Gaps.

15. SDLC

Here's how business functional analysts use sdlc:

Involved in Inception phase of SDLC process to gather requirements and document them.
Utilize the Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC).

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What skills help Business Functional Analysts find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on business functional analyst resumes?

Hanna Kim Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Chair, Adelphi University

Considering the undergraduate anthropology curriculum, many colleges and universities try to cover at least 2-3 of the 4 major subfields of Anthropology in their curriculum.
I say "try to" as the reality is that having faculty in all 4 subfields is not possible for many reasons. (The 4 subfields are cultural anthropology, archeology, biological anthropology (sometimes physical anthropology), and anthropological linguistics. These subfields are mirrored in graduate school where students going for PhDs will be focused on 1 subfield.)

For undergraduates with an anthropology degree seeking employment, I can speak only from the faculty side, not the employer side. My students report these factors as relevant to their being hired (and accepted into competitive schools in museum studies, social work, law school, etc.:
Analytical skills; clear writing; ability to synthesize large amounts of reading and data into well-supported arguments and interpretations; open-mindedness toward different identities and ways of being.

A hugely important skill that anthropology graduates have is the ability to be presented with a complex situation or problem, and to be able to chart a plan on how to approach the problem, gather data and other necessary information to solve the problem, and then to come up with a solution or possible strategies. Too often, particularly in situations involving human behavior, what is needed is a stronger grasp of social and cultural factors that could impede the desired outcome. Students of anthropology know that ways of doing things, and even seeing and thinking, are profoundly influenced by categories of thought that are culturally situated. This means that problem solving has to consider a network of variables that have an impact on behavior. Anthropology students, I would argue, would embrace this complexity rather than be hesitant to acknowledge it in favor of a more expedient and, in the long run, less successful solution.

What soft skills should all business functional analysts possess?

Van Wood Ph.D.

Philip Morris Endowed Chair in International Business, Director - VCU Center for International Business Advancement (CIBA), Professor of International Marketing, Virginia Commonwealth University

The most important key to success in business (global or domestic) lies in building relationships (with consumers, allies, government agents, suppliers, and others) based on trust, mutual respect, and a keen understanding of the motivations behind stakeholders' actions. What do they value, what turns on their after-burners and what cultural realities most influence stakeholders' behavior? Successful international business professionals tend to demonstrate a keen sense of curiosity, creativity, adventure, problem-solving alternatives and are driven to continuously upgrade their education and learning about our changing global business environment.

What hard/technical skills are most important for business functional analysts?

Van Wood Ph.D.

Philip Morris Endowed Chair in International Business, Director - VCU Center for International Business Advancement (CIBA), Professor of International Marketing, Virginia Commonwealth University

The ability to measure and compare (quantitatively) those dimensions of an international business environment (i.e., market potential, political and legal considerations, infrastructure realities, economic growth, and cultural nuances) that lead to a relative ranking of promising international markets is a technical skill that is critical to global business success. This requires an intimate knowledge and ability to use world-class databases found in world-class university libraries like VCU's (e.g., data-based such as globalEDGE, Business Source Complete, EIU Country Reports, Passport GMID, BCC Research, Uniworld Online, IBISWorld, etc.). This represents the hard/technical skills needed to complement one's historical and contemporary knowledge of global business realities, in conjunction with the soft skills needed by professionals if they are to truly have a long and successful career.

What business functional analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

David Preece

Academic Director, Associate Professor, Brigham Young University-Hawaii

Any time a graduate intentionally takes time off before beginning work, they should focus on activities and experiences that contribute to personal growth and professional development. This could take the form of volunteer service for a charity or community, working as an intern to gain first-hand professional experience, expand career networks, or even travel to new and different destinations that allow for learning about unique places and cultures.

What type of skills will young business functional analysts need?

Missy Gutkowski

Assistant Dean, Bucknell University

As remote and flexible work continues to penetrate industries across the country, daily office check-in conversations and hallway chatter are rare. New employees should be prepared to bring to the table analytical skills to gather, review, and synthesize information for further review, clarification, and report outs.

New employees should be prepared to communicate well and often, not only expressing expectations of what they need to complete their work but also to frequently updating supervisors and coworkers. Quickly learning the communication preferences and style of a supervisor and organization will set a new employee up for success in any industry.

What technical skills for a business functional analyst stand out to employers?

Jennifer Niggemeier

Director, University of Michigan

Compared to a year ago, employers have far more experience recruiting, onboarding, and working with employees in a virtual space. And many employers will continue to offer remote work given how successful it has been for many organizations. As a result, for many positions, applicants no longer need to be 'anchored to place' when applying to positions.

Do you want to know more?

List of business functional analyst skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a business functional analyst resume and required skills for a business functional analyst to have include:

Java
Business Process
ERP
UAT
Test Cases
User Acceptance
Functional Specifications
BI
Manage Change
Visio
User Stories
Test Scripts
Regression
Gap Analysis
SDLC
QA

Strong Analytical
Oracle Ebs
Technical Specifications
Application Development
SQL Server
User Training
PeopleSoft
Payroll
Test Scenarios
SME
Order Management
SharePoint
Data Analysis
CRP
User Interface
Legacy Systems

XML
EDI
ECC
Gl
UML
HTML
ETL
Training Materials
E-Business
PL/SQL
Management System
R12
Windows
JAD

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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