What Does a Business Analyst Do: Key Roles and Skills

Business Analytics

Given their ability to bridge the gap between business goals and technical solutions, business analysts play a crucial role in today’s digital-first business landscape.

With demand rising for data-driven decision-making, business analysts are increasingly being sought-after by employers: a study by Global Market Insights revealed that the global big data and business analytics market is projected to grow 15% annually over the next decade.  

This is in line with the fact that big data analytics is among the top three technologies most likely to be adopted by companies in the next five years, according to the World Economic Forum Future of Jobs Report 2023. 

If you’re interested in a career path where you can leverage analytics to improve business processes and solve problems, understanding the role of a business analyst is a great place to start.

What Does a Business Analyst Actually Do?

Business analysts analyse an organisation's processes and implement strategies that enhance overall performance. This scope encompasses a diverse range of roles and responsibilities, which mainly consist of the following:

1. Requirements Analysis 

A business analyst is responsible for identifying and analysing business requirements. This involves:

  • Identifying problems and areas for improvement within business processes. 
  • Gathering, reviewing, and documenting business requirements through interviews, surveys, and stakeholder meetings. 
  • Analysing business and industry data, including key performance indicators, financial reports, and other metrics. 
2. Problem Identification and Solution Design 

A business analyst is in charge of identifying business problems and designing effective solutions. Tasks that fall under this role include:  

  • Conducting detailed analysis to outline the problems faced by the organisation. 
  • Developing solution proposals that address the identified issues and align with business goals. 
  • Communicating proposed solutions and implementation strategies to stakeholders. 
3. Stakeholder Communication and Collaboration 

A business analyst must effectively communicate and collaborate with stakeholders across various departments. This covers the following responsibilities:  

  • Acting as a bridge between various business units, including IT, management, and operations. 
  • Working closely with project managers and cross-functional teams to ensure alignment on project goals. 
  • Maintaining comprehensive documentation regarding project processes, requirements, and outcomes. 
4. Implementation Support and Process Optimisation 

A business analyst should support the implementation of solutions and optimise business processes, which includes: 

  • Assisting in the implementation of recommended solutions, providing support throughout the process. 
  • Continuously evaluating and optimising business processes to enhance efficiency and effectiveness. 
  • Monitoring the impact of implemented solutions and making necessary adjustments to achieve desired results. 

What Skills Should Business Analysts Have? 

Success as a business analyst depends on a blend of technical competencies and interpersonal skills. Below are the essential hard and soft skills that define an effective business analyst: 

Hard Skills 
  • Data analysis: Strong analytical skills are required to interpret data, identify trends, and generate actionable insights. 
  • Analytics tools: Proficiency in R, Power BI, and Python are crucial for data manipulation, visualisation, and advanced analytics. 
  • Process modelling and mapping: Experience in mapping business processes helps business analysts identify inefficiencies and design improvements. 
Soft Skills 
  • Communication and leadership: Excellent communication skills are essential for effectively conveying technical information to stakeholders and leading project teams. 
  • Problem solving and creativity: Resourcefulness and the ability to devise innovative solutions to business challenges are critical attributes. 
  • Team coordination and stakeholder management: Effective business analysts are adept at managing relationships across various departments while aligning diverse perspectives towards common goals. 

Up next, we'll explore the main tools taught in a Master of Business Analytics programme that are vital to mastering the trade.

Essential Tools for Mastering Business Analytics 

Mastering the right tools and software is essential for business analysts to diagnose problems and derive key insights for smarter decision-making. 

It's important to note that the tools of the trade for business intelligence are different from business analytics. While the former are primarily used for reporting and visualising past data, the latter goes further with predictive analytics and advanced modelling. As such, they can provide deeper insights into future trends and help organisations make data-driven decisions proactively.  

Below are some of the most popular tools used by business analysts: 

Like any other digitally-driven sector, business analytics is constantly evolving. Some notable trends to watch out for include the adoption of AI-driven analytics platforms such as Amazon SageMaker, IBM Watson Discovery, and H2O.ai, cloud-based solutions like Microsoft Azure, Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, and Snowflake, and real-time data processing.  

These changes are being driven by the need for deeper and more precise insights, as well as the democratisation of data, which gives employees at all levels the power to make informed decisions.  

Deciding if Business Analytics is Right for You 

If you enjoy working with numbers, solving problems, and transforming data into actionable insights, a career as a business analyst can be highly rewarding. This role combines technical skills, like proficiency in Python and R, with strong interpersonal skills, such as stakeholder communication and team coordination. While demanding, mastering business analytics can lead to broader career opportunities, long-term career growth, and higher salary potential.  

Sunway University Online’s Master of Business Analytics provides the vital skills you need to excel as a business analyst via a comprehensive curriculum taught by industry experts.

Furthermore, the programme is delivered fully online, is self-paced, and is available for part-time study, making it ideal for professionals balancing work and personal commitments. Students can also tap into valuable networking opportunities through the faculty, fellow professionals, and Sunway University Online’s alumni network.  

Ready to chart a future in business with data? Book a complimentary, no-obligation eligibility check with an Education Counsellor today.