Business Analyst
Careers Explorer:
Use data to drive changes that will deliver improvements within a business.
Overview
If evaluating and analysing data and creating solutions in relation to information and software systems sounds appealing, then a career as a Business Analyst could be up your street.
You’ll certainly need to be tech-savvy as you’ll work within an organisation to identify future needs within their ICT systems and create solutions to help meet those needs.
You may be working on a specific project, or you could have a permanent role within an organisation. Either way, you’ll need a thorough understanding of the ins and outs of the organisation you’re working for, as you’ll be helping it to develop its functions, services and products to meet goals with internal and external stakeholders.
You could lead significant changes that make a substantial difference to the success of a company, but you’re likely to be working to tight deadlines and juggling multiple projects, which gives lots of variety, but can be stressful.
Communication is key in this role, as you’ll have to communicate between internal departments and external parties, acting as a ‘translator’ where necessary to convey how information technology can support the organisation’s needs.
Top 5 Tasks
- Communicate with internal colleagues and external stakeholders
- Use data modelling practices to analyse your findings
- Create suggestions for strategic and operational improvements and changes
- Consider opportunities and potential risks
- Identify the processes and IT required
Salary
Starting salaries for Business Analysts are between £21,000 and £31,000, while someone with five years of experience could earn around £38,000.
Experienced Business Analysts at the top of their game can earn in excess of £50,000.
Am I Suited?
- Technical competency
- Commercial awareness
- Excellent communicator
- Team player
- Leader
Business analysis exists in almost every sector, from not-for-profit organisations through to retail and the financial services.
Qualifications
Competition for Business Analyst positions is high, so having a degree is a distinct advantage. This could be in a relevant subject such as business information systems or business computing systems.
