Becoming a business analyst can be a rewarding career path for individuals who enjoy problem-solving, data analysis, and working with diverse teams. In this blog post, we will explore the roadmap to becoming a business analyst, including the skills required, the tools used, and the steps to kickstart your career in this field. So Let’s understand business analytics from scratch:

What is Business Analysis?

Business analysis is the practice of identifying business needs, assessing problems, and recommending solutions to improve processes, systems, and strategies within an organization. Business analysts act as a bridge between stakeholders and IT teams, ensuring that business requirements are understood and translated into technical specifications.

‍

What does a Business Analyst do?

A business analyst's role involves gathering and analyzing data, conducting stakeholder interviews, documenting requirements, facilitating workshops, creating process models, and collaborating with cross-functional teams. They play a crucial role in driving business growth, identifying opportunities for improvement, and optimizing operational efficiency.

‍‍

Why should you pursue a career in Business Analytics?

There are several compelling reasons to pursue a career in business analytics:

• High demand: The demand for skilled business analysts is growing across various industries, making it a promising career choice.

• Lucrative salaries: Business analysts often enjoy competitive salaries and attractive benefits due to their valuable skill set.

• Career progression: Business analysts have the opportunity to advance their careers into management roles or specialize in specific domains, such as data analytics or project management.

• Variety and challenges: Business analysts work on diverse projects, collaborating with different teams and solving complex problems, which keeps the job interesting and intellectually stimulating.

‍

Business Analyst Salary and Job Outlook:

‍

When considering a career as a business analyst, it's essential to assess the potential salary and job outlook in the field. According to glassdoor, the average salary of a business analyst in India is around ₹9.0 Lakh/year but it can vary based on factors such as location, industry, experience, and level of expertise. However, business analysts generally enjoy competitive compensation packages.

‍

In terms of job outlook, the demand for business analysts remains strong. With businesses increasingly relying on data-driven decision-making and process optimization, the need for skilled business analysts continues to grow across various industries.

‍

4. Tools every Business Analyst must know

To be an effective business analyst, it's crucial to be proficient in various tools that assist in data analysis, project management, and documentation. Here are tools every business analyst should be familiar with:

‍

1. Important tools:

Microsoft Excel: Excel is the backbone of many analysis, you will find yourself working extensively with this tool.

Business Intelligence (BI) Tools: Examples include Tableau, Power BI, and QlikView, which help visualize and analyze data to derive insights.

Management Tools: Tools like Jira, Trello, or Microsoft Azure DevOps aid in capturing, tracking, and managing requirements throughout the project lifecycle.

Process Modeling Tools: Tools like Microsoft Visio or Lucidchart help create visual representations of business processes and workflows.

Collaboration and Communication Tools: Tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, or Asana facilitate effective communication and collaboration within teams.

‍

2. Less common but Job specific:

Data Mining and Analytics Tools: Tools such as Python, R, or SAS can be beneficial for advanced data analysis and modeling.

Prototyping Tools: Tools like Balsamiq or Axure RP assist in creating interactive prototypes to visualize and validate requirements.

Workflow Automation Tools: Tools like Zapier or Microsoft Power Automate enable automation of repetitive tasks and streamline workflows.

It's important to note that the specific tools required may vary based on the industry, organization, and project requirements.

‍

5. Business Analyst Roadmap : Step-by-step guide

1. Learn the basics of Business and Data Analysis

Master the fundamental concepts of analyzing business processes and data, enabling you to make informed decisions and provide valuable insights.

Resources

YouTube channels

1. Business Analysis Excellence. Click Here

Books

1. Business Analysis for Dummies by Kupe Kupersmith. Click Here
2. The Business Analyst's Handbook by Howard Podeswa. Click Here

Courses:

1. Business Analytics Specialization by Coursera. Click Here
2. Analyzing and Visualizing Data with Power BI by Edx. Click Here

‍

2. Learn Programming Languages like SQL

Equip yourself with essential programming skills, such as SQL to efficiently manipulate data and extract meaningful information.

Resources

Youtube channels

1. FreeCodeCamp.org.   Click Here
2. Programming with mosh.   Click Here

Books

1. Getting Started with SQL by Thomas Nield.   Click Here
2. SQL Cookbook by Anthony Molinaro.   Click Here

Websites

1. SQLzoo.   Website Here
2. w3school.   Website Here

‍

3. Learn Data Visualization tools like Tableau, Power BI, and Excel

Discover the power of visualizing data through tools like Tableau, Power BI, and Excel, enabling you to present your findings in a compelling and understandable way.

Resources

Youtube channels

1. Tableau Tim    Click Here
2. PowerBI by Alex the Analyst   Click Here
3. Excel by Chandoo   Click Here

Websites

1. PowerBi training by Microsoft learning   Website Here
2. Tableau training By Tableau   Website Here
3. Excel learning by w3schools.com   Website Here

Books

1. Free Tableau PDF by Princeton university   Click Here
2. Introducing PowerBI by Alberto Ferrari and Marco Russo   Click Here
3. Beginning Excel 2019 by Noreen Brown and Barbara Lave and others   Click Here

‍

4. Develop Communication skills

Sharpen your communication abilities to effectively convey complex analysis results to stakeholders, facilitating collaboration and driving informed decision-making.

Resources

Youtube channels

1. Charisma on Command   Click Here
2. TEDx Talks on Communication skills  Click Here
3. Brian Tracy   Click Here

Books

1. How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie  Click Here
2. Just Listen by Mark Goulston   Click Here

‍

5️. Master Tools and Techniques

Familiarize yourself with business analysis tools and techniques.

1. Microsoft Visio or Lucidchart. 
2. Study requirements management with tools like JIRA or Confluence.
3. Explore Agile methodologies and tools like Scrum or Kanban. 

Resources

Youtube Channel

1. YT channel: "Adaptive US"   Click Here
2. JIRA tutorial by The PerfectBA   Click Here

Books

1. Microsoft Visio 2016 Step by Step by Scott A. Helmers   Click Here
2. Scrum: The Art Of Doing Twice The Work In Half The Time by J.J. Sutherland   Click Here
3. Kanban: Successful Evolutionary Change for Your Technology Business by David J. Anderson   Click Here

‍

6️. Gain practical experience in Business analytics

Get hands-on experience in real-world business analytics projects, allowing you to apply your skills and further refine your analytical expertise.

Resources

Project ideas:

1. Sales Data Analysis
2. Customer churn rate analysis
3. Market Basket analysis
4. Price Optimization

‍Note: all these projects are here.

‍

How to become a Business Analyst?

‍

Now that we understand the role of a business analyst and the tools they use, let's explore the roadmap to becoming a business analyst:

1. Skillset of a Business Analyst:

To succeed as a business analyst, you should develop the following skill set:

• Business acumen: A robust grasp of finance, accounting, and business principles serves as a valuable foundation for identifying operational challenges and determining the most effective approaches to resolve them.

• Communication: Effective communication skills, encompassing clear and persuasive verbal and written presentation abilities, are crucial for a business analyst who interacts with diverse stakeholders across an organization, including upper management and various teams. Such skills greatly enhance the value a business analyst brings to the role.

• Data analysis: Be proficient in data analysis techniques, including data modeling, visualization, and statistical analysis. As we have mentioned above tools like Excel, Tableau/PowerBI and some knowledge of SQl will greatly help you in data analysis.

• Business analysis methodologies: Gain knowledge of popular methodologies such as Agile, Scrum, or Lean Six Sigma to guide project execution and deliver value.

• Industry expertise: Develop expertise in a particular industry or domain to understand specific business challenges and requirements.

‍

2. Take an Online Course

Enrolling in an online business analysis course can provide you with the necessary theoretical foundation and practical skills. Some recommended online courses are:

• Business Analysis Fundamentals by International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA)
• Business Analysis Certification Program by Udemy
• Business Analytics Specialization by Coursera

‍

3. Earn a Business Analyst Certification

Certifications add credibility to your profile and demonstrate your commitment to the profession. Consider pursuing certifications such as:

• Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP) by IIBA
• Entry Certificate in Business Analysis (ECBA) by IIBA
• Certification of Capability in Business Analysis (CCBA) by IIBA

‍

4. Consider a Degree:

While not always mandatory, a degree can provide a strong foundation for your career. Consider the following options:

Bachelor's degree: A bachelor’s degree is very common for entry level position in analytics. Pursuing a bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as Business Administration, Information Technology, or Computer Science will be of great help.

Master's degree: Many companies might prefer a masters degree candidate so one may consider pursuing a Master of Business Administration (MBA) or a Master's in Business Analytics to enhance their knowledge and skills.

‍

5. Start with an Entry-level Role:

To gain practical experience, consider starting your career as an Intern or entry-level business analyst or a related Junior role. This allows you to apply your skills in real-world scenarios, learn from experienced professionals, and gradually advance your career.

‍

Conclusion:

Becoming a business analyst requires a combination of skills, knowledge, and practical experience. By developing a strong skill set, acquiring the necessary tools, and following the roadmap outlined in this blog, you can pave the way towards a successful career as a business analyst. Remember to stay updated with industry trends, network with professionals in the field, and continuously enhance your skills to thrive in this ever-evolving profession.

‍

We at Alphaa AI are on a mission to tell #1billion #datastories with their unique perspective. We are the community that is creating Citizen Data Scientists, who bring in data first approach to their work, core specialisation, and the organisation.With Saurabh Moody and Preksha Kaparwan you can start your journey as a citizen data scientist.