Top 25 Business Analyst Skills

Who is a Business Analyst?

A business analyst enables a change in the organization by comprehending business problems and providing solutions to maximize its value to its stakeholders. They are involved in every tiny aspect of the business, from laying out the strategy to creating enterprise architecture. With this understanding of who a business analyst is, let’s look at the top business analyst skills to help you become a successful one.

Top Business Analyst Skills

A business analyst must perform multiple duties, so they need a strong skill set that combines technical and non-technical skills.

Technical Business Analyst Skills

Business analysts require specific technical skills to analyze and solve business problems effectively. Here are some key technical skills that are valuable for business analysts:

1. Data Analysis

Proficiency in data analysis tools and techniques, such as SQL (Structured Query Language), Excel, data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI), and statistical analysis software (e.g., R, Python). These skills help business analysts extract insights from large datasets and make data-driven recommendations.

2. Business Intelligence (BI) Tools

Familiarity with BI tools like SAP BusinessObjects, IBM Cognos, or Microsoft Power BI. These tools enable business analysts to create reports, dashboards, and interactive visualizations to provide valuable insights to stakeholders.

3. Process Modeling and Analysis

Knowledge of process modeling techniques, such as BPMN (Business Process Model and Notation), and process analysis tools like ARIS or Visio. Business analysts use these skills to map and analyze business processes, identify inefficiencies, and propose improvements.

4. Requirements Management

Proficiency in requirements management tools like JIRA, Confluence, or IBM Rational DOORS. These tools help business analysts capture, document, track, and manage requirements throughout the project lifecycle.

5. Agile Methodologies

Understanding Agile methodologies like Scrum or Kanban and familiarity with Agile project management tools like JIRA or Trello. Business analysts with Agile skills can effectively collaborate with development teams, facilitate sprint planning, and participate in Agile ceremonies.

6. System Analysis

Knowledge of system analysis techniques, such as UML (Unified Modeling Language), to effectively analyze and document system requirements, use cases, and workflows.

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7. Prototyping and Wireframing

Proficiency in tools like Axure RP, Balsamiq, or Sketch to create interactive prototypes, wireframes, and mock-ups. These skills enable business analysts to communicate requirements and validate solutions with stakeholders visually.

8. Knowledge of ERP and CRM Systems

Familiarity with enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems like SAP or Oracle and customer relationship management (CRM) systems like Salesforce. Understanding these systems helps business analysts gather requirements, evaluate integration needs, and support implementation projects.

9. Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC)

Familiarity with the various phases of the SDLC is important for business analysts to work effectively with development teams and ensure smooth project execution.

It's important to note that the specific technical skills required for a business analyst role may vary depending on the industry, organization, and project requirements.

10. Programming Languages

Business analysts should have hands-on programming knowledge for quicker and better data analysis. Knowledge of R and Python is highly beneficial. Writing efficient codes can solve complex problems. R and Python comprise several libraries and packages for data wrangling, data manipulation, data visualization, and analytics. A sound understanding of statistical software like SAS and SPSS is also recommended. With the help of the above programming languages, massive data can be analyzed and visualized finely. Also, business models can be created to make business predictions.

11. Creating Reports and Dashboards

The next vital skill we have is the creation of reports and dashboards. Business analysts must be proficient in using various business intelligence tools to create reports and dashboards. Business analysts develop general reports and dashboard reports to solve decision-making problems. Sound knowledge of Tableau, QlikView, and Power BI is necessary to make different reports based on business requirements.

12. Database and SQL

The next business analyst skill is the knowledge of databases and SQL. Business analysts most often work with structured data. To store and process this heavy data, they should have a sound understanding of relational databases like Microsoft SQL Server, MySQL database, Oracle DB, and NoSQL databases. Every business analyst must carry hands-on experience with SQL. This will help them access, retrieve, manipulate, and analyze data. They must write data definitions and data manipulation commands like create, delete, select, update, insert, etc.

13. Microsoft Excel  

Next on our list of business analyst skills is knowledge of Microsoft Excel. This is a fundamental skill that every business analyst must have. Excel is one of the oldest and strongest analytics and reporting tools; business analysts use it to perform several calculations, data, and budget analyses to unravel business patterns. They summarize data by creating pivot tables. They make different charts using Excel to generate dynamic reports related to a business problem.

Excel is used to create revenue growth models for new products based on recent customer forecasts, plan an editorial calendar, list product expenses, and create charts to show how close the product is to budget across each category. Business analysts use Excel to calculate customer discounts based on monthly purchase volume by product. They even summarize customer revenue by product to find areas where there is a need to build stronger customer relationships.

14. Documentation and Presentation

Lastly, we have documentation and presentation on the business analyst skills list. A business analyst should document their project teachings and results very well, clearly, and concisely. They should confidently present their project findings and outcomes to the stakeholders and clients. With the help of organized documentation, business analysts can communicate technical concepts easily to non-technical employees.

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Non-Technical Business Analyst Skills 

1. Understanding the Business Objective

A business analyst should be able to comprehend an organization’s goals and problems. It requires them to recognize business problems and come up with the most suited solution. It is good if business analysts have domain knowledge in the organization they are working in. This will help them with the required deliverables. In most cases, business analysts work towards enabling a change with the motive of increasing sales, scale-up production, improving revenue streams, etc.

Understanding the business motive is the first step in a business analyst’s life; it is a special skill by itself. Now, let’s proceed to the next set of business analyst skills. 

2. Analytical and Critical Thinking

Although thinking sounds basic, it is an underrated ability. Analytical and critical thinking is one of the core business analyst skills. A business analyst must analyze and translate the client’s requirements distinctly. Critical thinking helps a business analyst in assessing multiple options before arriving at the aspired solution. Business analysts focus on gathering and understanding the client’s needs. Critical thinking enables them to prioritize business requirements. A good analytical bend of mind will help a business analyst reach the stated goals even when there is a limitation in the resources and the conditions are nonideal.

3. Communication and Interpersonal Skills

The next skill in our list of business analyst skills are commonly heard of skills - communication and interpersonal skills. Being understood is as important as understanding. You should have the ability to communicate concisely with the stakeholders and clients with regard to the requirements. A business analyst uses communication and interpersonal skills at different phases, for example: when a project is being launched, while collecting requirements, when collaborating with stakeholders, while validating the final solution, and so on. Business Analysts use verbal and written communication to convey ideas, facts, and opinions to stakeholders. Good communication and interpersonal skills will give confidence to a business analyst while facilitating meetings.

4. Negotiation and Cost-Benefit Analysis

Needless to say, negotiation is a crucial skill every business analyst must-have. The next skill on our list of business analyst skills is the negotiation and cost-benefit analysis. Business analysts negotiate at every project phase. At the initial stage of a project, negotiation skills are used to decide what they must include in the project's vision. Business analysts then use their negotiation skills to determine which requests turn into requirements and their priority levels. As the project progresses, negotiation skills play a significant role in deciding the functional design that fulfills the requirements. Negotiation skills are also used to make technical decisions. Business analysts carry out a cost-benefit analysis to assess the costs and benefits expected in a project. When organizations undertake new projects, business analysts make use of cost-benefit analysis to establish if they should embark on those particular projects. 

5. Decision-Making Skills

At number five, we have another non-technical skill, and that is decision-making skills. The decisions made by a business analyst has a direct and indirect impact on the company's business. Hence, they should think of all the aspects before presenting their decision. Before making a decision, a business analyst interprets the problem and finds alternative business approaches. They then test all the alternative approaches and make a decision based on their thoughts regarding these approaches.

6. Collaboration and Teamwork

Business analysts often work as part of cross-functional teams. Being able to collaborate and work effectively with team members is vital.

7. Adaptability

Next up on the list of non-tech business analyst skills is adaptability. Requirements and project needs can change, so business analysts should be adaptable and open to adjusting their approach accordingly.

8. Negotiation Skills

Next up on the list of non-tech business analyst skills is negotiation. Business analysts sometimes need to mediate between stakeholders with competing interests, requiring strong negotiation skills.

9. Time Management

Managing multiple tasks and deadlines is a common aspect of the role, so good time management is essential to stay on top of responsibilities.

10. Empathy and Emotional Intelligence

Understanding the needs and perspectives of stakeholders requires empathy and emotional intelligence, helping to build strong relationships and trust.

11. Business Acumen

Business analysts should have a good understanding of business principles and strategy to align their analysis with the overall goals of the organization.

A successful business analyst possesses a blend of technical expertise and soft skills, enabling them to facilitate effective communication, drive projects forward, and contribute to the overall success of the organization. After learning about the vital business analyst skills let us see how Simplilearn can help you become a successful business analyst. 

FAQs

1. Is a business analyst an IT job?

A business analyst is not an information technology IT job unless they choose to join the IT field. Their title then would be an IT Business Analyst. 

2. What are the goals of a business analyst?

A business analyst’s goals include increasing business retention, keeping costs contained, taking on more responsibilities, building better relationships internally and with customers, and experimenting with new techniques and methodologies.

3. What is a business analyst?

A business analyst is a person that is responsible for understanding business problems through data analysis and ensures to get maximum value for their shareholders.

4. What are the roles or responsibilities of a Business Analyst?

The roles of a business analyst include identifying an organization’s objectives and problems, understanding business requirements from clients and stakeholders, offering unique and feasible solutions to problems, providing feedback on implementation, gauging functional and non-functional requirements, understanding and analyzing implemented solutions, and offering course correction.

5, Is coding required for business analyst?

While the ability to write code is helpful, knowing coding is not a requirement for a business analyst. They are expected to have knowledge of statistical software such as SPSS, SAS, Sage, Mathematica, and Excel.

6. What are your strengths as a business analyst?

Critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making are three crucial strengths that are required from a good business analyst. Having industry or business knowledge and management skills are also a plus.

7. What techniques do business analysts use?

A few popular business analysts techniques include Brainstorming, CATWOE, MOSCOW (Must, Should, Could or Would), MOST (Mission, Objectives, Strategies and Tactics, SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats), and PESTLE Analysis.

8. What are the 3 most important skills of a business analyst?

The Top 3 most important skills for a business analyst are understanding the business objective, critical and analytical thinking, and communication skills.

9. Is business analyst a dying career?

No, business analyst is not at all a dying career. On the contrary, it is thriving, with many companies looking for business analysts to improve their business offerings and connect better with their customers.