BUSINESS ANALYST JOB DESCRIPTION.

Welcome to the world of business analysts

You might be searching around the internet trying to check out whether business analysis is really your thing. You might be looking for a career choice to pursue or you might be considering making a career change. You have heard about business analysts, but you might not be too sure about exactly what they do. So we are going discover exactly what they do and help you make a decision as to whether this is really for you.

What do business analysts do?

The job description of business analysts varies from organization to organization. In fact a big complaint that analysts have is that they have no clear set out job description. However there are some basic activities that you should be willing to perform if you would like to become a business analyst. These include;

• Problem identification and solution formulation
• Data collection
• Report generation
• Market analysis and establishing market trends.
• Risk analysis and management
• Strategy development and implementation
• Software implementation
• Project management and leading of teams with specific set objectives
• Formulates strategies to achieve the business goals.
• Setting up systems to protect from fraud
• Cost control
• Formulates market strategies

As you can already see from the above list, the job description is quite varied touching on almost all departments within a business. It is said that they serve as a link between the more technical departments of the business and the management or shareholders.

What is required of a business analyst?

The above job description shows us exactly what would be required of the business analyst. They should be able to look at problems logically and break them down. They are thus able to formulate solutions for these problems. So as to solve a problem or even before they start a project, there has to be some form of data collection and analysis of that data using various tools. As concerns marketing of your products, they have to study the market and see what the future trends are. They should be able to know what the market needs and thus enable you to brand your products or service in a manner that shall be accepted by the market. They also do risk analysis and management in that they should determine the risks inherent in a certain activity or venture and formulate ways to minimize the risks. You shall be required to develop strategies that shall get the business to its set goals. Also you should be able to lead small teams with the mandate of implementing these strategies. Business analysts should have a background in information technology. Hence they should formulate computer systems and oversee their installation. Also they should be able to formulate systems to insulate the business from fraud and set up checks towards this end.

What are the qualities of a good business analyst?

In order to be able to do the above work effectively, you should have some inherent characteristics in you. Note that you need not have all of them but you should be able to pick them up as you go along and you gain more experience. These qualities include the following:

• They should be able to understand each business as a separate entity.
• They should be able to understand the market that they are targeting.
• They should be methodical in their thinking.
• Business analysts should have great analytical skills that enable them to not only predict future market trends but to understand problems presented to them.
• They should have the ability to think fast on their feet.
• They should have great problem solving skills.
• They should be good communicators in order to avoid confrontation with management and shareholders on the basis of poor communication.
• They must work great with teams.
• They should have leadership qualities that enable them to drive these teams towards getting results.
• They should have the ability to take rejection of their proposals. Even after spending the whole night on a particular proposal, management can throw you out with it saying that is nothing but rubbish… Okay that would be a little harsh but you should be able to take that in stride.
• Business analysts should be able to say what is on their minds and push for it.
• They should be able to find creative solutions to problems
• Innovative
• They should have data collection skills.
• They should always be willing to learn new things
• They should be able to constantly do some re-evaluation of their methods constantly refining them.

What are the business analysts salaries like?

Before you determine as to whether you are going to join a career you should know what you should expect as remuneration for your work. Of course they vary from firm to firm but they range as follows:

• Midlevel analyst- $70,000 to $100,000
• Senior analyst- $100,000 to $150,000

Let me just say this; if you are good at what you do then the sky is the limit as to how much you shall be earning. Just work hard and the money will come.

What should you expect to encounter in the business analyst career?

As relates the job description, you should expect do a lot of report formulation. A lot of research work. You shall be in constant meetings in all departments within your organization. Having meetings with management and having meetings with other members of staff. You should be ready do handle dissatisfied management and shareholders especially when either you did not understand their requirements for the job you were to undertake, or when their requirements were vaguely given and thus you did not understand them fully. You should be ready to handle a lot of tech. and you should always be on top of new advancements that shall be of benefit in solving the problems that you shall be presented with. There involves quite a bit of linking between departments and thus you should be able to work well with people and communicate effectively.

What are the problems faced by business analysts?

Business analysts from all over the world face certain similar problems as they discharge their duties. These include:

• Understanding what is required of them. Sometimes management and/or shareholders could be vague in what they want done. So of course regardless of what you do they shall still be dissatisfied. Never start a project without having a clear understanding of what is expected. Better yet, have that written down so there shall not arise any disputes later on.
• Communication issues. You should thus strive to enhance your communication skills and discover more effective ways to communicate. This could be in the form of flow diagrams, graphs… Name it! As long as it helps you communicate well, learn it.
• There may exist a disconnect between the analyst and the end user of the products that they may be pushing for. It is therefore important to take time to understand the market and run questionnaires, perform tests etc so as to understand your market.
• Business analysts also work under very tight time constraints. You shall never be called in until the report is needed in two days time…or at least that’s how it feels like. Learn to work under pressure and do so quickly, effectively and most importantly, get results.
• There may be a lack of consistency in what you are expected to do. You may be told this today and tomorrow it all changes. So you have to know how to adapt. Keep all changes in requirements written down so as to insulate yourself when you are accused of following your own agenda.

Where can you study to be a business analyst and what should you study

Business analysts could have done an MBA or a CPA certification. They should also have a background in information technology. Northwestern University, Duke University, Mcgill University and the University of Waterloo all have courses that shall help you on your way. But of course they are not the only places where you can study. There are also online courses and all you have to do is Google and select one of them that appeals most to you. There is also the International Institute of business analysts’ certification (IIBA) available over at the Duke University.

Final remarks.

If this is a career choice that interests you, then go ahead and join the world of BAs today. However it is important to say that you should not just chase the money. Do it because you are genuinely interested in it. Because if you join then a few years down the line you find you did not like the job you shall have to start over from scratch. All the best in your endeavors!