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What does a business process analyst do?

Updated January 8, 2025
8 min read
Quoted expert
Erik Johnson Ph.D.
What does a business process analyst do

The business process analysts are responsible for producing, managing, and enhancing business processes to improve business performance using data. They gather, analyze, and transcribe information about internal processes to obtain a comprehensive picture of the company's internal workings. Their responsibilities include developing strategies, identifying the needs of the user, and communicating compound data in a comprehensible way. Also, they identify, implement, and assess business metrics that are essential to the end-users. Additionally, they may act as consultants to project teams providing them with recommendations for product or service improvement.

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Business process analyst responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real business process analyst resumes:

  • Apply control concepts to develop and manage KPIs and establish internal processes.
  • Program manage the roll-out of new and efficient solution that house all SOX documentation.
  • Upgrade programs from FoxPro to SQL server to automate and streamline the assumption update process with SQL procedures and DTS packages.
  • Manage technical design and architecture sessions to ensure functionality deliverables meet business requirements.
  • Manage the Salesforce preparation for migration from GreatPlains to PeopleSoft and successfully execute said migration.
  • Collaborate with project manager in tracking and managing project development process following RUP base SDLC methodologies.
  • Design key process improvement and VISIO mapping for major marketing product redesign.
  • Execute the project by applying the DMAIC approach.
  • Modify SQL queries to provide accurate reporting of progress.
  • Provide support to field locations prior to and during audits as SME.
  • Follow the DMAIC methodology and utilize various tools to fit each study.
  • Install, configure, upgrade, and maintain PC workstation hardware and software.
  • Attend meetings with QA team members for SME in order to deliver quality documents.
  • Analyze and interpret all documents relate to ordering windows, roofing, siding and gutters.
  • Participate in Kaizen event on increasing finish paint capacity to learn more about the industry.

Business process analyst skills and personality traits

We calculated that 9% of Business Process Analysts are proficient in Process Improvement, Project Management, and Subject Matter Experts. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Interpersonal skills.

We break down the percentage of Business Process Analysts that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Process Improvement, 9%

    Managed all business process improvement/automation projects utilizing project management methodologies.

  • Project Management, 8%

    Supported local project management and/or Black Belt resources to implement new functionality from each successive major or intermediate release or replication.

  • Subject Matter Experts, 6%

    Conducted discovery meetings and workshops with Manufacturing Site Subject Matter Experts and stakeholders in order to develop a sound implementation strategy

  • Customer Service, 5%

    Developed and implemented desktop support processes to support internal business units and drive continuous improvement and customer service excellence.

  • Continuous Improvement, 5%

    Coordinated, organized, and prioritized initiatives with project support teams to identify role clarity and governance to drive continuous improvement.

  • Lean Six Sigma, 4%

    Provided direct support for the acting Lean Six Sigma Deployment Director and Master Black Belt.

"process improvement," "project management," and "subject matter experts" are among the most common skills that business process analysts use at work. You can find even more business process analyst responsibilities below, including:

Analytical skills. The most essential soft skill for a business process 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 process analyst resume shows how their duties depend on analytical skills: "created plant level business proposals based on statistical analysis via sap/apo for lean six sigma/kaizen workshops. "

Communication skills. Another essential skill to perform business process analyst duties is communication skills. Business process analysts responsibilities require that "management analysts must be able to convey information clearly in both writing and speaking." Business process analysts also use communication skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "worked with partners, such as hr, finance, and communications, to ensure alignment of solutions and consistent message. "

Interpersonal skills. This is an important skill for business process analysts to perform their duties. For an example of how business process 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 process analyst: "maximize the organization's sharepoint capabilities through hands on coaching and training exercises utilizing strong written and interpersonal communication skills. ".

Problem-solving skills. business process analyst responsibilities often require "problem-solving skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "management analysts must be able to think creatively to solve clients’ problems." This resume example shows what business process analysts do with problem-solving skills on a typical day: "experienced working with relational databases through creation of business intelligence solutions and conversion of legacy erp system to sap. "

Time-management skills. A commonly-found skill in business process analyst job descriptions, "time-management skills" is essential to what business process analysts do. Business process analyst responsibilities rely on this skill because "management analysts often work under tight deadlines and must use their time efficiently to complete projects on schedule." You can also see how business process analyst duties rely on time-management skills in this resume example: "managed reinvention of uat process (user acceptability testing) by coordinating training logistics and project deadlines. "

Most common business process analyst skills

The three companies that hire the most business process analysts are:

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Compare different business process analysts

Business process 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.

If we compare the average business process analyst annual salary with that of a staff analyst, we find that staff analysts typically earn a $20,943 higher salary than business process analysts make annually.While their salaries may differ, the common ground between business process analysts and staff analysts are a few of the skills required in each roleacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities. In both careers, employee duties involve skills like process improvement, project management, and visio.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a business process analyst are more likely to require skills like "subject matter experts," "customer service," "continuous improvement," and "lean six sigma." On the other hand, a job as a staff analyst requires skills like "sql," "logistics," "status reports," and "analyze data." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

Staff analysts really shine in the technology industry with an average salary of $107,444. Comparatively, business process analysts tend to make the most money in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $92,966.staff analysts tend to reach similar levels of education than business process analysts. In fact, staff analysts are 2.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.0% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Business process analyst vs. Data analyst

Data analysts are responsible for interpreting the company's statistics and providing sound recommendations to the organization. They manage the organization's data sets, usually related to market performance, finance, or human resources. They are in charge of studying the available data, spotting trends, interpreting what the data and the trends mean, and recommending suggestions that will help the organization perform better. Their recommendations should also be relevant and backed up with strong analyses. Data analysts are expected to have a good grasp of the current market trends in the industry.

A career as a data analyst brings a lower average salary when compared to the average annual salary of a business process analyst. In fact, data analysts salary is $3,873 lower than the salary of business process analysts per year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Business process analysts and data analysts both require similar skills like "customer service," "visio," and "data analysis" to carry out their responsibilities.

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that business process analyst responsibilities requires skills like "process improvement," "project management," "subject matter experts," and "continuous improvement." But a data analyst might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "python," "power bi," "data management," and "visualization."

On average, data analysts earn a lower salary than business process analysts. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, data analysts earn the most pay in the finance industry with an average salary of $86,172. Whereas business process analysts have higher pay in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $92,966.data analysts earn similar levels of education than business process analysts in general. They're 3.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for business process analysts in the next 3-5 years?

Erik Johnson Ph.D.Erik Johnson Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Assistant Professor of Economics, Carthage College

Two technologies are likely to become more critical in the next 3-5 years: First, much more videoconferencing and remote meetings are likely here to stay. Be sure you can communicate effectively through these mediums. Secondly, using large amounts of numerical and textual data will become increasingly crucial for businesses and policy analysis. Learning how to sift through these data and glean insights from them are likely essential skills to develop and will allow you to grow in your career.

Business process 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.

On average scale, analysts bring in lower salaries than business process analysts. In fact, they earn a $5,208 lower salary per year.By looking over several business process analysts and analysts resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "process improvement," "project management," and "customer service." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

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 process analyst resumes include skills like "subject matter experts," "continuous improvement," "lean six sigma," and "sigma," whereas an analyst is more likely to list skills in "troubleshoot," "digital transformation," "data entry," and "work ethic. "

Analysts earn the best pay in the technology industry, where they command an average salary of $79,330. Business process analysts earn the highest pay from the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $92,966.When it comes to education, analysts tend to earn lower degree levels compared to business process analysts. In fact, they're 5.8% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.8% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Business process analyst vs. Senior analyst

A senior analyst's responsibilities will vary in every organization or industry. However, their primary role is to gain an understanding of a company's strengths and weaknesses. Through this, they can devise strategies and determine new opportunities that would be significant in attaining financial gains and a more substantial client base. Furthermore, it is a senior analyst's responsibility to coordinate with various departments, and even clients, to establish a rapport that will be essential in gaining the needed information to catapult a company to its finest.

Senior analysts tend to earn a higher pay than business process analysts by an average of $6,584 per year.According to resumes from business process analysts and senior analysts, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "process improvement," "project management," and "customer service. "While some skills are required in each professionacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities, there are some differences to note. "subject matter experts," "continuous improvement," "lean six sigma," and "visio" are skills that commonly show up on business process analyst resumes. On the other hand, senior analysts use skills like analytics, tableau, power bi, and portfolio on their resumes.senior analysts enjoy the best pay in the finance industry, with an average salary of $91,818. For comparison, business process analysts earn the highest salary in the manufacturing industry.senior analysts reach similar levels of education compared to business process analysts, in general. The difference is that they're 0.1% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 1.2% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of business process analyst

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
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.

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