What does a systems analyst do?
A systems analyst is responsible for monitoring the effectiveness of technology systems and analyzing its efficiency for business operations and clients' needs. Systems analysts create specific modifications to operating systems and help design solutions and processes. Other tasks include managing the system's workflow, diagnosing and detecting malfunctions, performing troubleshooting, and assisting clients' with their concerns. A systems analyst must have excellent command with programming languages and the knowledge with the technology industry to understand systems' complexities and processes.
Systems analyst responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real systems analyst resumes:
- Manage AS400 operations teams and provide training / end-user support as scheduled.
- Lead a team of two developers who create various GUI report parameter screens and associate reports.
- Write scripts (shell, Perl, AutoIt) to automate administrative tasks, troubleshooting, and disaster recovery operations.
- Manage ticket resolution of 250/300 per month, within SLA and root cause analysis and defects tie back to development.
- Design and build radiology information systems, as well as led multiple conversions and create documentation to support technology and workflow.
- Manage and implement VMware infrastructure.
- Customize web base business applications using various modification tools, as well as HTML and JavaScript.
- Develop internally publish web interface to application data not available in native applications using HTML, PHP, JavaScript and Perl.
- Define business requirements for SharePoint document management system to reduce need for print documentation.
- Analyze and design enhancements to FFS.
- Program, and system flow documentation in VISIO.
- Maintain and assign IP addresses to network devices.
- Integrate TOS build with Jenkins for continuous integration.
- Prepare data flow diagram and application details using VISIO.
- Own the design and documentation of the API interfaces.
Systems analyst skills and personality traits
We calculated that 8% of Systems Analysts are proficient in Customer Service, Project Management, and Troubleshoot. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Creativity.
We break down the percentage of Systems Analysts that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Customer Service, 8%
Delivered training and alarm documentation to monitoring command center associates, supporting call center business functions, improving customer service.
- Project Management, 5%
Compile and analyze statistical data to produce project management documents including work statements, mapping documents, and implementation approval credentials.
- Troubleshoot, 5%
Network and server performance/availability monitoring, Microsoft/hardware and software patching, Backup and disaster recovery procedures, Troubleshoot end customer problems.
- Java, 4%
Analyzed and documented architecture and technical details of a Java application used to analyze biological experiments data conducted using robots.
- C++, 4%
Utilized efficient C++ data Structures to handle the customer information for loading into application and storing into database for required functionality.
- C #, 4%
Developed Online CSV Protocol system using ASP.NET, C #, SQL and Web Services.
"customer service," "project management," and "troubleshoot" are among the most common skills that systems analysts use at work. You can find even more systems analyst responsibilities below, including:
Analytical skills. The most essential soft skill for a systems analyst to carry out their responsibilities is analytical skills. This skill is important for the role because "analysts must interpret complex information from various sources and decide the best way to move forward on a project." Additionally, a systems analyst resume shows how their duties depend on analytical skills: "created data flow diagram using visio, constructed, tested and implemented etl and data quality strategies. "
Communication skills. Many systems analyst duties rely on communication skills. "analysts work as a go-between with management and the it department and must explain complex issues in a way that both will understand.," so a systems analyst will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways systems analyst responsibilities rely on communication skills: "used powerpoint and visio to aid communication to these business groups. "
Creativity. This is an important skill for systems analysts to perform their duties. For an example of how systems analyst responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "because analysts are tasked with finding innovative solutions to computer problems, an ability to “think outside the box” is important." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a systems analyst: "maintained current and accurate inventory of it equipment including a visio drawing of racks and the equipment within the racks. ".
The three companies that hire the most systems analysts are:
- CTG214 systems analysts jobs
- CBRE Group179 systems analysts jobs
- Zebra Technologies107 systems analysts jobs
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Compare different systems analysts
Systems analyst vs. Information technology analyst
An information technology analyst is responsible for identifying business opportunities by creating and designing technology systems that would help business operations perform efficiently and accurately. Information technology analysts manage systems maintenance, upgrade and install updates for better optimization, and perform feature revisions and adjustments based on the end-user experience. They analyze client and business specifications and research a multiple system approach to generate technology solutions. An information technology analyst must have excellent analytical skills, as well as broad knowledge of the technology industry.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between systems analysts and information technology analyst. For instance, systems analyst responsibilities require skills such as "troubleshoot," "c++," "data warehouse," and "systems analysis." Whereas a information technology analyst is skilled in "infrastructure," "security policies," "switches," and "encryption." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Information technology analysts really shine in the technology industry with an average salary of $94,506. Comparatively, systems analysts tend to make the most money in the finance industry with an average salary of $86,904.information technology analysts tend to reach similar levels of education than systems analysts. In fact, information technology analysts are 1.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Systems analyst vs. Business intelligence analyst
The primary job of business intelligence (BI) analysts is to analyze data and identify areas of improvement for an organization. These professionals are responsible for identifying trends that may help managers, executives, and other departments make better decisions to improve company processes and modernization. Other duties include identifying areas of revenue loss and ways to maximize profit, analyzing competitors' use of BI, and implementing new methodologies and data analysis. This role is particularly analytical and needs a balance of communication, information technology, and problem-solving skills.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real systems analyst resumes. While systems analyst responsibilities can utilize skills like "customer service," "project management," "troubleshoot," and "c++," business intelligence analysts use skills like "business intelligence," "analytics," "power bi," and "dashboards."
Business intelligence analysts earn a higher average salary than systems analysts. But business intelligence analysts earn the highest pay in the start-up industry, with an average salary of $88,964. Additionally, systems analysts earn the highest salaries in the finance with average pay of $86,904 annually.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Business intelligence analysts tend to reach higher levels of education than systems analysts. In fact, they're 10.7% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for systems analysts in the next 3-5 years?
Erik Johnson Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Economics, Carthage College
Systems analyst vs. Information analyst
Information Analysts are employees who collect data and analyze the information from the data they collected. They are usually found in companies with information technology departments. They collect network, software, or hardware performance data and analyze these data. The data that Information Analysts collect would help in identifying and anticipating problems in the system. As such, they will be able to troubleshoot and provide a sound analysis of the systems and networks. They would then be able to give recommendations to address problems, based on what they analyzed.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a systems analyst is likely to be skilled in "customer service," "java," "c #," and "technical support," while a typical information analyst is skilled in "patients," "data entry," "work ethic," and "strong work ethic."
Information analysts make a very good living in the technology industry with an average annual salary of $86,848. On the other hand, systems analysts are paid the highest salary in the finance industry, with average annual pay of $86,904.information analysts typically earn similar educational levels compared to systems analysts. Specifically, they're 2.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.6% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Systems 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.
Types of systems analyst
Updated January 8, 2025
