Introduction

The principles of doing business are rapidly changing and constantly evolving. Today, more and more companies are trying to adapt to the current situation and thrive in the new environment. At the center of these major changes stands the business analyst. But who exactly is a business analyst?

A business analyst is a professional who critically evaluates organizations and business process management principles, searches for problem-solving methods and new opportunities, and determines cost-benefit ratios. Their main goal is to help companies manage change and make important decisions, which requires gathering, processing, and analyzing relevant information.

If you want to become a business analyst, this guide will help you better understand everything about your future profession.

1. Learn Business Analytics Fundamentals

At the beginning of your career, it’s crucial to first familiarize yourself with the responsibilities of this position and the field in general. The primary function of business analytics is to identify business needs and objectives and transform them into favorable opportunities for the company.

Key Responsibilities of a Business Analyst:

• Identifying business needs and optimizing their implementation
• Market research and identification of new opportunities
• Data modeling
• Budget planning and forecasting
• Comprehensive analysis in areas including:
  • IT strategy
  • Communications
  • HR and training
  • Supply chain
  • Process management

2. Gain Practical Experience

After acquiring theoretical knowledge, it’s important to start applying your skills in practice. Work on real projects and improve your analytical abilities. Choose projects that cover all important aspects of data analytics:

• Competition analysis
• Market research
• Data collection and processing
• Data analysis using various methods

3. Develop Data Visualization Skills

Data analysis is incomplete without effective presentation. It’s recommended to master the following tools:

• Tableau
• PowerBI
• Bokeh
• Plotly
• Infogram

4. Create a Portfolio

After gaining practical experience, it’s essential to create a professional portfolio. GitHub platform is the best choice for showcasing your work. Publish:

• Complete project documentation
• Methodology used
• Results achieved
• Problem-solving approaches

5. Career Development

The business analyst position may be listed under various titles:

• Data Analyst
• Research Analyst
• IT Project Coordinator
• Product Manager
• Project Manager

Additional Skills Required

Business analysts need both technical and soft skills:

• Decision-making and evaluation of alternatives
• Social and communication skills
• Time management and organization
• Persuasiveness and professionalism

While many business analysts have studied business administration, finance, accounting, statistics, or computer science, it’s still possible for professionals from other fields to successfully acquire the knowledge and practical skills needed in business analytics.

Tools and Technologies

For data visualization and presentation, you can use various programs that will help you select the best format for effectively conveying and better understanding important information. These tools will be invaluable in your work.

Portfolio Development

When you’ve mastered all necessary skills and gained practical experience through project work, start creating your professional portfolio. You can use the GitHub platform to upload your work. Show the entire process you went through while working on projects: how you collected information, analyzed it, and used it to solve problems. A portfolio effectively showcases your capabilities and is an essential component in the job search process.

Job Search Strategy

The role of a business analyst might appear under different titles. Each position requires business analyst skills. Therefore, during your job search, align with your interests. Research what functions and responsibilities each position includes, what field the company represents, what goals they have, and how they align with your career plans.

Conclusion

If you’re interested in working with data and creating/managing digital products, while also wanting to master a high-paying profession, business analytics is an excellent choice. The Commschool IT Business Analytics course offers both theoretical knowledge and practical experience that will help you successfully implement projects.

Ready for new challenges? Join our IT Business Analytics program!