How Can I Become a Business Analyst?

A business analyst is someone who understands the business needs and provides technological solutions to improve its processes and systems. A business analyst is often thought of as the link between the business and IT departments. If you are interested to choose your career as “Business Analyst”, here we provide information such as steps to follow to become Business Analyst, eligibility, job roles and responsibilities etc. Also you should do research about the industry, learn from other business analysts, look out for good training opportunities, listen to what is happening in the industry etc.

Eligibility for fresh graduates to Become a Business Analyst:

• Undergraduate degree
• Postgraduate qualification is optional 
• Management or leadership qualities
• Strong communication/interpersonal skills
• Proven analytical background
• Basic Excel skills
• Time management 
• People skills

Steps to follow to become a Business Analyst:

There are three important steps to follow to start a business analyst career

Step 1: Gain knowledge in Business Analysis

Enhance the knowledge in Business Analysis, understand the roles, day to day responsibilities and the functionalities of Business Analyst. To become a Business Analyst, you’ll need to gain knowledge about the Business Analysis. Business analyst need different levels of technical proficiency based on their roles, however the additional computer skills you’ve got, the higher you’ll look as a candidate. Attend the events and seminars related to Business Analysis. The Business Analysis Body of Knowledge (BABOK) book may be a key resource to start understanding the tasks and techniques of a business analyst. Also to learn more about Business Analysis, you can gain knowledge through online courses. Check the below link.

Business Analyst Training for Beginners

ECBA™ Certification Training

Getting Started with Business Analysis Fundamentals

Step 2: Get Certified in Business Analysis

After gaining the knowledge in Business Analysis, getting certified is very important to enter into the particular field. Certification provides validation for the third party. It helps the employer to know that you have the knowledge about Business Analysis. Some of the certifications that helps you to learn the job roles, responsibilities, functionalities etc for a Business Analyst are listed below. 

• ECBA (Entry Certificate in Business Analysis)
• CBAP (Certified Business Analysis Professional) from IIBA (The International Institute of Business Analysis )
• PMI-PBA is another renowned certification from PMI (Project Management Institute)

Step 3: Gain Work Experience

You can gain expertise in a volunteer role with a startup company first, or gain the benefit of internship opportunities. Don’t expect a higher salary. Startup company provides you more knowledge and work experience which helps to achieve your goal as a Business Analyst in future. If you’re already in a job with a company in different roles, volunteer to work on the projects based on business analysis. There are several transferable skills to perform your career as a business analyst, and therefore the role of a business analyst is wide-ranging. People can enter the sector either with knowledge of a specific business domain, like workflow, billing, or customer relations, or with knowledge in an industry, such as finance, telecommunications, or government. Once you’re employed as an entry-level business analyst, make sure to gain knowledge in different projects; so in future, you’ll be able to specialise in the domain or business you’re notably fascinated by.

Step 4: Join a community

Joining a community or forum related to Business Analysis will be very useful to get to know about what is Business Analysis, updates related to Business Analysis, trending in Business Analysis etc and also helpful to get solutions to your business needs or problems. It also has many benefits such as you can get more contacts in your field and so you can build your relationship with them which will help you to achieve success in your career as a Business Analyst.

Join the forum https://www.mindsmapped.com/forums/ and get the solutions and updates.

Skills Needed to Become a Business Analyst:

Communication skills: 

Business Analysts work in teams, gather information and provides it to wide-ranging stakeholders in the company, translate and negotiate between parties, and also provides the solutions in an accessible approach. Business analysts should have strong communication and written skills, and feel assured during a leadership position to get approval for plans from superiors in the company.

Business knowledge and critical thinking: 

Business analysts should perceive several angles of the organization for whom they are working. They need to be ready to perceive the roles of various people and departments, and the way these departments interact and rely upon one another. They should also understand the single organization in a broader context of the entire industry. This knowledge will help them to build successful strategic plans in the future.

Problem Solving Skills:

A Business Analyst should understand the problems, should be able to come up with possible solutions and determine the scope of the project. To understand the problem, you should be a good listener. You should be able to listen and absorb the source of the problem. This will help you to analyse the problem and to resolve it with the possible solutions. Also to understand and solve the problems in business, you must maintain a good relationship with your stakeholders. 

Technical skills: 

Business analysts could use a large vary of technical programs,  including programs in diagramming, data crunching, wireframing, management of requirements, and for presentation of results. A lot of, business analysts are increasing their technical proficiency with knowledge of computer programming, big data mining techniques, database management, and systems engineering. This does not imply that a Business Analyst role is a technical role but technical knowledge is good to possess.

Methodology Skills:

There are different methodologies in Business Analysis. For example, Six Sigma, Agile Business Analysis, Business Process Modeling Notation etc. You can choose and get specified in it or if you have the knowledge in more than one specific methodology, it is your great advantage while searching for a job. 

Business Analyst Job Role & Responsibilities

Business analysts are responsible for bridging the gap between IT and the business using data analytics to evaluate processes, determine requirements and deliver data-driven recommendations and reports to executives and stakeholders. Business Analysts conduct market analyses, analysing both product lines and the overall profitability of the business. Business analyst typically acts as a liaison between different teams and departments in a company. The business analyst should be able to communicate well with these teams within the organization, typically acting as a diplomat, and provides solutions which colleagues and stakeholders can perceive.

4 Types of analysis are followed by business analysts. They are:

1. Strategic planning—identifying changing needs of a company
2. Systems analysis—interpretation of requirements for the IT department
3. Process design—standardizing workflows
4. Business model analysis—defining policies and market approaches

Business Analyst Job Description:

• Creating a detailed business analysis, identifying issues, opportunities and solutions for a business
• Communicate with colleagues to understand the needs of the business
• Work with stakeholders to understand the service or product provided
• Budgeting and forecasting
• Planning and monitoring
• Conduct surveys, workshops, and tests
• Invent systems or processes necessary to implement the changes, or alter existing ones
• Create suggestions and solutions for strategic and operational changes
• Submit reports to stakeholders
• Consider opportunities and risks of these suggestions
• Support staff when solutions are implemented
• Financial modelling
• Evaluate impact of changes made

Business Analyst Salary

According to Payscale.com, “a Business Analyst earns a median remuneration of $58,805 per annum.” Business analysts can expect remuneration increase for the primary 5-10 years, however additional experience doesn’t have an outsized impact on remuneration. More business analysts work in the position for about 1-4 years, and move on to an advanced positions. Promotions embody positions like project manager or senior business analyst.

Business Analysis Training

Business Analysis training will enhance your confidence to identify problems, solutions and opportunities easily. It will provide you better insight about the workplace, employees and customers. You will learn to organize business goals easily. You will be capable of identifying the objectives. Business analysis training will train you to read and use the business documents as well as you will gain the practical knowledge too which you can apply in your organization.

To learn more about business analysis select from a list of online Business Analyst training courses