Understanding Careers in Business Analysis - CareerAlley

Understanding Careers in Business Analysis - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. Most careers have some sort of set path to achieve higher level positions and prestige. This usually involves a specific degree and on-the-job skill sets. Getting started with a career in business analysis is different. In broad terms, a business analyst brings a fresh pair of eyes to an organizations structure and culture in an attempt to solve problems or maximize efficiency. Specific Applications There is no one set of skills or educational program necessary for a career as a business analyst. There are trends to watch for. Organizations are currently most interested in acquiring help in the fields of environmental compliance and computer science. There will always be a need for well-rounded analysts capable of assessing every aspect of a business, from human resources to accounting, but specialists in sustainable protocol and software processing or internet marketing will likewise find plenty of work. General Duties As an outside contractor, the first duty of a business analyst is to uncover the relationships that are often hidden behind formal job titles. Analysts will hold meetings for specific subgroups of staff and conduct private interviews. This information will be combined with an analysis of the business itself, including records, changes to policies and resulting trends, and even archived tax data or emails in some cases. The business executive who hires an analyst usually does so in response to a specific problem or worry, and analysts are given more or less free reign to address the issue. After compiling data, the analyst proposes changes and likely outcomes to the executive. These may include reorganizing management, hiring and firing decisions, utilizing a new process to carry out specific tasks, or adopting a new type of technology for greater efficiency. Once a course of action is established, the analyst will provide guidance in implementing it. They will host training sessions for future trainers, often referred to as professional development courses, and bring in relevant experts to make changes as smooth as possible. After implementation, analysts may be asked to collect data and show improvements. Necessary Skills Specialized knowledge of certain aspects of business will recommend different analysts for different types of problems, but there are some general skills every analyst will profit from. Most of the following skills can only be earned by actually working in the business world. A resume showing strong performance in different business sectors will be most valuable to the analyst. Experience with writing job descriptions and preparing requirements Attention to detail and certification or experience in project management Experience with use cases, preparing use-case diagrams, data modeling Strong interpersonal skills and experience in leadership positions Ability to quickly learn the parameters of new products, technologies, applications, etc. Strong communication and presentation skills, including the ability to engage diverse audiences If you have experience in the business world and have found yourself performing strongly while always seeking new challenges, a career as a business analyst is likely a perfect choice. Education trends matter in this high-end service sector, but adaptability, leadership and communication are more important qualities. A successful business analyst can expect the need to travel and constantly learn new skills. Heather Green is a freelance writer for higher ed blogs nationwide. She recommends reviewing online mba programs to discover the many options out there. This is a Guest post. If you would like to submit a guest post to CareerAlley, please follow these guest post guidelines. Good luck in your search. Visit me on Facebook