What are the top five skills needed to begin a career in Business Analysis?
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Business analysis is a growing and rewarding field that combines business, technology, and problem-solving skills. If you are interested in pursuing a career in business analysis, you might wonder what skills you need to get started. In this article, we will discuss the top five skills that are essential for any aspiring business analyst.
Communication is the foundation of business analysis. As a business analyst, you will need to interact with various stakeholders, such as customers, managers, developers, and testers, to elicit, analyze, and validate their needs and expectations. You will also need to communicate your findings, recommendations, and solutions in clear and concise ways, using different formats and tools, such as documents, diagrams, presentations, and reports. To communicate effectively, you will need to master both verbal and written skills, as well as listening and questioning skills, and adapt your style and tone to different audiences and situations.
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Luís Allen
Product Owner | Fintech | Banking Industry |
From my experience, a good communicator has the following main characteristics: - States his message clearly and concisely, avoiding unnecessary jargon or technical terms. - It’s an active listener. When you’re in a conversation, pay attention to what the other person is saying and ask clarifying questions, so that the other person notices that you are trying to understand their perspective. - A good communicator is also adaptable and tailors his communication style to the audience. For example, you might communicate differently with a group of technical experts than you would with a group of non-technical stakeholders. - It is open to feedback and always try to find common ground if a disagreement emerges.
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Nitin Kumar Deswal, IIBA®-ECBA™ Certified, AWS Certified
Lead Business Analyst at Barclays | Business Analysis Trainer | Content Creator | MBA | Symbiosis Alumnus
From my experience, these are the below must have skills- 1) Curiosity, to understand the “why of everything” 2) Adaptability, it can be to a new team, project 3) Going into details 4) Ownership 5) Articulation 6) Communication
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Fred G.
Human-centred IT: Business Analyst & Digital Transformation | Driving Cost-Efficiency/Innovation with Agile and AI | Championing User-Centric Solutions
Here are 3 techniques to better communicate and listen, with examples: Active listening - Give your full attention to the speaker without interrupting. Nod, take notes, and use affirming words like "I see" to show engagement. Example: "I see how that limitation with the current system is making your job difficult." Clarifying questions - Ask questions to increase understanding. Get clarification on any ambiguous points. Example: "When you said the feature should be more user-friendly, could you explain specifically what issues you've experienced?" Paraphrasing - Restate the speaker's main points and ideas in your own words.
Analytical skills are the core of business analysis. As a business analyst, you will need to apply critical thinking, logic, and creativity to understand complex problems, identify root causes, and propose feasible solutions. You will also need to use various techniques and methods to collect, organize, and interpret data, such as surveys, interviews, observations, workshops, and modeling. To analyze data effectively, you will need to have a strong attention to detail, accuracy, and quality, as well as the ability to synthesize and visualize information, and draw meaningful insights and conclusions.
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Ryan Folster, CBAP
Business Analyst | Product Professional | Manager of Business Analysts
For those looking to start out in business analysis, these are some of the key skills; Data - you need to be able to work with and understand data. Data must form part of your decision-making process. UX: You need to understand how a user experiences a solution or product. You must get to grips with best practices that help you better understand your users. Business Acumen: While this is not essential it is important that you understand the domain you intend to work in. If you want to work in financial services it helps to have general knowledge of how that sector operates. Soft Skills: Communication and facilitation are two fundamental skills that must be razor-sharp when practicing as a Business Analyst.
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Sushma Putran
Academic Coordinator for Creative Cluster at MIT School of Corporation Innovation & Leadership
1. Analytical skills: Ability to analyze data and information. 2. Communication skills: Effective communication with teams and stakeholders. 3. Problem-solving skills: Find solutions to business challenges. 4. Technical skills: Familiarity with software tools and data analysis. 5. Business knowledge: Understand industry and organization specifics.
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Fred G.
Human-centred IT: Business Analyst & Digital Transformation | Driving Cost-Efficiency/Innovation with Agile and AI | Championing User-Centric Solutions
Analytics helps connect strategic goals with tactical implementation. Data-driven decision making empowers stakeholders to make decisions based on facts vs. gut instinct. Analytics helps anticipate challenges and illuminate forward-looking opportunities.
Business knowledge is the context of business analysis. As a business analyst, you will need to have a solid understanding of the business domain, industry, and environment that you are working in. You will also need to know the business processes, rules, policies, and objectives that govern the operations and performance of the organization. To acquire business knowledge, you will need to research, learn, and update yourself on the current trends, challenges, and opportunities that affect the business, as well as the best practices, standards, and frameworks that guide the business analysis.
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Roberto Coronel
Data, Technology & Education
Analytical skills are not limited to quantitative analysis; they also encompass the ability to engage with qualitative data. This might involve thematic analysis of interview transcripts or the interpretation of patterns within observational data. It requires the analyst to possess not only technical prowess but also an intuitive sense for understanding the nuances and subtleties within complex data sets.
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Fred G.
Human-centred IT: Business Analyst & Digital Transformation | Driving Cost-Efficiency/Innovation with Agile and AI | Championing User-Centric Solutions
Define business requirements based on research - Document requirements for systems, processes, org structure, or resources needed to execute on market insights.
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Luís Allen
Product Owner | Fintech | Banking Industry |
Good business analysts try to see the big picture and think strategically about the needs of the business. They are also able to focus on making sure that the solutions they develop are user-friendly and meet the needs of the customer/stakeholders.
Technical skills are the tools of business analysis. As a business analyst, you will need to have a basic knowledge of the technology, systems, and platforms that support the business solutions. You will also need to know how to use various software applications and tools that facilitate the business analysis process, such as project management, requirements management, testing, and documentation tools. To develop technical skills, you will need to be familiar with the technical terminology, concepts, and principles that relate to the business solutions, as well as the functionality, features, and limitations of the software tools that you use.
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John Wisner
Managing Principal Consultant at Capco, Business Analysis Capability Lead and BA of the Year Finalist 2022
A business analyst can tap into technology colleagues and stakeholders by fostering open communication. Seeking guidance on technical aspects and collaborating on projects promotes skill-sharing. Shadowing IT team members during implementation phases provides hands-on learning. Actively participating in cross-functional meetings exposes the analyst to technical challenges and solutions. Encouraging a culture of knowledge exchange through regular discussions enhances technical acumen. Seeking feedback on proposed solutions refines skills. Establishing mentorship relationships with tech-savvy colleagues fosters continuous learning and can transform the BAs analysis skills into truly valuable deliverables.
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Christelle Govender , CABA
Senior Business Analyst | Certified Scrum Master | Systems and Software Improvement | Quality Assurance
In addition to the mentioned skills, a proficient business analyst should excel in: Facilitation: Skillful in leading discussions, workshops, and meetings to gather requirements, address issues, and foster collaborative resolutions. Change Management: Understanding and managing organizational changes, including anticipating and addressing resistance, ensuring smooth transitions, and effective communication. Data Visualization: Expertise in presenting complex data visually, using tools to create charts and graphs for easy comprehension by stakeholders.
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Lev Agreda
Pathways Operations Manager Intern at Amazon | MBA 24' | Internal Strategy | Business Development | Prospanica Fellow
Here are some key technical skills to consider: 1_Data Analysis Tools: Proficiency in data analysis tools such as Excel, SQL, or data visualization tools is paramount. They empower you to explore, dissect, and present data effectively. 2_Database Knowledge: Understanding how databases work and having basic SQL skills can significantly improve your ability to gather and manipulate data. 3_Coding Skills: While not mandatory, some coding skills, such as Python or R, can be an asset, especially in data analysis and automation tasks.
Interpersonal skills are the glue of business analysis. As a business analyst, you will need to work with diverse and dynamic teams, across different levels and functions of the organization. You will also need to build and maintain positive and productive relationships with the stakeholders, and manage their expectations and conflicts. To demonstrate interpersonal skills, you will need to show respect, empathy, and professionalism in your interactions, as well as collaboration, negotiation, and facilitation skills. You will also need to be flexible, adaptable, and open-minded, and embrace feedback and change.
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Rosania Duarte
Analista de Métodos e Processos | Jurídico - Imobiliário | Graduanda em Direito
Essa arte muito me encanta! Respeito, comunicação eficaz, empatia, compreensão de emoções, resolução de conflitos, trabalho em equipe, saber ouvir... são essenciais em qualquer ambiente. Muito se fala em Hard Skills, que, na minha opinião, podem ser mais facilmente encontradas. E as Softs Skills? Essas tendem a ser um bem maior. Lidar com pessoas profissionais que alem de suas habilidades técnicas, dispõe de habilidades interpessoais, é como "ganhar na loteria".
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Fred G.
Human-centred IT: Business Analyst & Digital Transformation | Driving Cost-Efficiency/Innovation with Agile and AI | Championing User-Centric Solutions
I would use Adaptive Intelligence: Adaptive intelligence is important because it enables business analysts to respond effectively to changing conditions and new information. By continuously adapting plans and recommendations based on a shrewd understanding of the context, BAs can steer projects in the right strategic direction even as circumstances evolve.
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John Wisner
Managing Principal Consultant at Capco, Business Analysis Capability Lead and BA of the Year Finalist 2022
A business analyst can enhance interpersonal skills by practicing active listening, ensuring a clear understanding of stakeholder needs. Effective communication, both verbal and written, is crucial for conveying complex information. Building empathy helps in understanding diverse perspectives. Collaborating with cross-functional teams fosters teamwork. Developing a positive attitude and adaptability in dynamic environments is key. Seeking feedback and being open to constructive criticism aids improvement. Networking and relationship-building within the organization build trust and facilitate smoother collaboration. Regularly refining these skills ensures continual growth as a business analyst.
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Naghmeh Mostafavi
Agile Business Analyst-MBA/ PSM certified/SCRUM Master
Business Analysts are problem solvers. You need to be able to analyze situations, evaluate potential solutions, and choose the best course of action. Creativity and critical thinking are valuable skills in finding innovative solutions to business challenges.
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John Wisner
Managing Principal Consultant at Capco, Business Analysis Capability Lead and BA of the Year Finalist 2022
A perspective on the top five skills needs to begin a career in business analysis could include: 1. Analytical Skills: Ability to analyze data and trends, crucial for identifying business opportunities and challenges. 2. Communication Skills: Clear and concise communication to convey complex information effectively. 3. Technical Proficiency: Basic understanding of tools like Excel and SQL, and willingness to learn new technologies. 4. Domain Knowledge: A foundational grasp of the industry and business processes, enabling informed analysis. 5. Problem-Solving: Strong problem-solving skills to address business issues and recommend effective solutions.
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Anton Oosthuizen
Senior Business Analyst / Project Manager / Airport Operations at Self-Employed.
Only two 'skills' are needed to get started as a BA. a) Common Sense b) Critical Thinking Both of these are natural attributes of the true BA. The way you approach and think about things, in general, makes you a BA even before you get the title. Common sense lets you 'see' how things work together and how they should work. Critical thinking will make you question everything, especially if it does not make sense. Not all people function like that. BAs are very much like artists - you get those who learned how to paint a flower and those who instinctively know how to paint a flower. Both will get the job done but side by side it is easy to spot the difference.