What does a business operations analyst do?
A business operations analyst is an individual who identifies and solves issues related to the performance of the business operations. Together with the management and engineering departments, business operations analysts must analyze and review a vast amount of data to identify business opportunities. They must provide recommendations and updated policies so that they can improve the company's business performance. Business operations analysts are also required to create monthly reports and present them to upper management on their key findings and assessments.
Business operations analyst responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real business operations analyst resumes:
- Manage data migration from mainframe to cloud base systems.
- Used VBA to create tools which automate common human processes and increase productivity across multiple departments.
- Set up and manage all customer EDI connections and testing across multiple systems for the enterprise.
- Manage development of core file, transaction audit and process tracking systems align with SLA contracts and performance goals.
- Manage branch activity for GSA, RFI, RFP requests, departmental expenses, commission, budgeting and forecasting.
- Provide requirements support to the sprint team, support estimation planning session and manage the JIRA board throughout the sprint execution.
- Use CRM for customer and product information, warranty support, customer satisfaction and for process and product improvement.
- Maintain business development and project work SharePoint sites.
- Create policies, procedures and work instructions for ISO documentation.
- Facilitate scrum and scrum of scrums meetings with cross-functional delivery teams.
- Track projects and issues for the department using the JIRA system.
- Design SQL scripts used to convert customer records from old to enhance system.
- Lead business analyst for integration of NetApp's call home system (AutoSupport) with the CRM.
- Pull reports from catalog and prepare data report for marketing purpose on daily basis via VBA script.
- Provide reports and analysis from SQL databases on relevant travel and expense data to teams across the organization.
Business operations analyst skills and personality traits
We calculated that 15% of Business Operations Analysts are proficient in Provide Management, Analyze Data, and Shared Services. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Interpersonal skills.
We break down the percentage of Business Operations Analysts that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Provide Management, 15%
Provide Management Information and summary statements on statistical analysis to Team Leaders and ChangeProject Managers on progress against allocated tasks.
- Analyze Data, 14%
Develop queries/stored procedures to retrieve and analyze data for projects, program, or reports requiring sophisticated inferential techniques.
- Shared Services, 12%
Performed various accounting tasks for the Corporate, Chemical and Petroleum Products Sectors as part of the shared services organization.
- HR, 9%
Created and maintained Business Development shared server files to include all contracts, HR docs and won and lost opportunity files.
- Business Operations, 9%
Support day-to-day business operations including revenue recognition and bookings ensuring quality and turnaround SLA were met.
- Operational Efficiency, 6%
Delivered innovative business and solutions improvements for organizational improvement, operational efficiency and to creatively meet goals and resolve operational issues.
"provide management," "analyze data," and "shared services" are among the most common skills that business operations analysts use at work. You can find even more business operations analyst responsibilities below, including:
Analytical skills. The most essential soft skill for a business operations analyst to carry out their responsibilities is analytical skills. This skill is important for the role because "management analysts must be able to interpret information and use their findings to make proposals." Additionally, a business operations analyst resume shows how their duties depend on analytical skills: "optimized large and complex data sets using sql, excel and data visualization tools. "
Communication skills. Many business operations analyst duties rely on communication skills. "management analysts must be able to convey information clearly in both writing and speaking," so a business operations analyst will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways business operations analyst responsibilities rely on communication skills: "streamlined communication channels across 5 states by effectively utilizing sharepoint. "
Interpersonal skills. This is an important skill for business operations analysts to perform their duties. For an example of how business operations analyst responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "management analysts work with managers and other employees of the organizations for which they provide consulting services." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a business operations analyst: "experience in customer service, interpersonal skills, and computer skills. ".
Problem-solving skills. A big part of what business operations analysts do relies on "problem-solving skills." You can see how essential it is to business operations analyst responsibilities because "management analysts must be able to think creatively to solve clients’ problems." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical business operations analyst tasks: "supported over three hundred management and hourly employees to offer customer care services ranging from employee updates to computer issue resolutions. "
Time-management skills. Another common skill required for business operations analyst responsibilities is "time-management skills." This skill comes up in the duties of business operations analysts all the time, as "management analysts often work under tight deadlines and must use their time efficiently to complete projects on schedule." An excerpt from a real business operations analyst resume shows how this skill is central to what a business operations analyst does: "manage change requests related to the project plans to meet the agreed deadlines. "
The three companies that hire the most business operations analysts are:
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Compare different business operations analysts
Business operations analyst vs. Analyst
Analysts are employees or individual contributors with a vast experience in a particular field that help the organization address challenges. They help the organization improve processes, policies, and other operations protocol by studying the current processes in place and determining the effectiveness of those processes. They also research industry trends and data to make sound inferences and recommendations on what the company should do to improve their numbers. Analysts recommend business solutions and often help the organization roll out these solutions. They ensure that the proposed action plans are effective and produce the desired results.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, business operations analyst responsibilities require skills like "provide management," "analyze data," "shared services," and "business operations." Meanwhile a typical analyst has skills in areas such as "troubleshoot," "management system," "digital transformation," and "data entry." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Analysts really shine in the technology industry with an average salary of $79,330. Comparatively, business operations analysts tend to make the most money in the technology industry with an average salary of $69,138.On average, analysts reach similar levels of education than business operations analysts. Analysts are 2.2% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.8% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Business operations analyst vs. Staff analyst
Staff Analysts are employees who oversee the activities related to the employees. They monitor the performance of the employees and assess whether particular employees suit the role they have. They also assess the current roles in the company to see if those roles are really needed. Staff Analysts ensure that the manpower allocation in the company is efficient. They analyze staff-related data to check whether there are more areas for improvement. Staff Analysts may also be assigned to come up with projects related to improving productivity.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that business operations analyst responsibilities requires skills like "provide management," "shared services," "business operations," and "operational efficiency." But a staff analyst might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "windows," "sql," "logistics," and "financial statements."
Staff analysts may earn a higher salary than business operations analysts, but staff analysts earn the most pay in the technology industry with an average salary of $107,444. On the other hand, business operations analysts receive higher pay in the technology industry, where they earn an average salary of $69,138.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Staff analysts tend to reach similar levels of education than business operations analysts. In fact, they're 0.7% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.8% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for business operations analysts in the next 3-5 years?
Erik Johnson Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Economics, Carthage College
Business operations analyst vs. Reporting analyst
As a reporting analyst, you are responsible for collecting relevant reports, analyzing raw data, writing, and delivering executive-ready qualitative and/or quantitative reports as per clients' requirements. The results collected will be communicated to managers or clients, who will then provide suggestions based on their findings. This person must have excellent quantitative & qualitative analytical skills, a strong eye for detail, strong organizational and multitasking abilities, and be able to work on tight deadlines. Intermediate to advanced knowledge of Excel is a must for this position.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from business operations analyst resumes include skills like "provide management," "shared services," "business operations," and "operational efficiency," whereas a reporting analyst is more likely to list skills in "dashboards," "bi," "powerpoint," and "sas. "
Reporting analysts earn the highest salary when working in the finance industry, where they receive an average salary of $82,064. Comparatively, business operations analysts have the highest earning potential in the technology industry, with an average salary of $69,138.Most reporting analysts achieve a similar degree level compared to business operations analysts. For example, they're 0.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Business operations analyst vs. Program analyst
The job of program analysts is to plan, manage, and evaluate a company's computer programs. They usually perform different tasks, including researching and analyzing complex data to identify trends and offer the best recommendations for improvements. Other duties for this position may include creating policies and procedures, monitoring and evaluating program performance, and resolving any issues. This role's skills and requirements include a bachelor's degree in computer science, business, or related field. Previous work experience as a program analyst and critical thinking skills are also valued.
Types of business operations analyst
Updated January 8, 2025
