Business analyst job profile

Business analysts help an organisation achieve its goals by analysing data, assessing processes and systems, creating solutions and planning for the future

As a business analyst you'll work within an organisation, helping to manage, change and plan for the future in line with their goals. This could be for one specific project, or as a permanent feature of the organisation. You'll need to understand the current organisational situation, identify future needs and create solutions to help meet those needs, usually (but not always) in relation to information and software systems.

You'll need to demonstrate an excellent understanding of the way the organisation works and the sector it operates in, as you'll be helping to develop its functions, services and products to meet goals with internal and external stakeholders.

You'll also play a key role in communicating between internal departments and external parties, acting as a 'translator' where necessary to convey how information technology can support the organisation's needs.

A business analyst may also be known as:

business architect
business systems analyst
enterprise analyst
management consultant
process analyst
product manager
product owner
requirements engineer
systems analyst.

Responsibilities

As a business analyst, you'll need to:

communicate with internal colleagues to understand the needs of departments and the organisation as a whole
work with external stakeholders to understand and investigate feedback into the service, function, or product provided
use data modelling practices to analyse your findings and create suggestions for strategic and operational improvements and changes
consider opportunities and potential risks attached to suggestions you make
identify the processes and information technology required to introduce your recommendations
gain agreement, usually from senior management, of the best method of introducing your recommendations to the business
communicate the benefits of your recommendations across departments and help to address any uncertainty and concern
produce written documentation to support your work, report on your findings and to present to stakeholders when necessary
support staff and teams in making your recommended changes, including helping to resolve any issues
ensure plans are made and processes are created to evaluate the impact of the changes made, including taking responsibility for overseeing and reporting on this evaluation.

Salary

Graduate or junior business analysts earn in the region of £21,000 to £31,000.
Business analysts, with a few years’ experience, generally earn between £35,000 and £65,000.
Experienced business analysts can earn up to £80,000 and in some cases more than £100,000, particularly in the finance sector.

Business analyst roles exist on a permanent basis in organisations, but you could also work on a freelance or contract basis once you've gained some relevant experience. As an experienced business analyst, you can expect to charge between £350 and £500 per day.

Income figures are intended as a guide only.

Working hours

Your working hours may vary, depending on whether you're a permanent employee (in which case you could expect to work full time, usually Monday to Friday with some weekend work), or a contractor (where you may work longer hours during the week and sometimes weekends in order to complete project-based work within a specific timeframe).

You'll need a flexible approach to working extra hours when the need arises.

What to expect

You could make significant change and impact within your role, making a substantial difference to the success of a company and the satisfaction of its employees, both of which can be very rewarding.
You'll work to deadlines and juggle multiple projects, which gives lots of variety but can be stressful.
The role is largely office-based but will require travel to meet different internal and external stakeholders.
A high level of professionalism is required, and formal dress is the norm.

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, but could also be from other disciplines, such as history, so long as you can demonstrate excellent analytical skills.

Relevant experience of managing projects can provide a pathway into working as a business analyst, although this is more likely for someone with a few years' industry experience, rather than someone looking to begin their career in this field.

As well as your degree, employers value experience and transferable skills, such as the ability to work in groups, analyse data, use technology and manage projects, which could be related to your studies or extra-curricular activities.

If you're a graduate from a non IT-related subject, you could take a relevant postgraduate qualification.

It's also possible to take an apprenticeship route to become a business analyst, with providers such as the Institute for Apprenticeships & Technical Education.

Search for postgraduate courses in computer science and IT.

Skills

You'll need:

excellent communication skills, with the ability to talk and present to a range of audiences, sometimes acting as a translator between parties
the capacity to motivate others and lead change
the ability to work under pressure on multiple projects within your project timeframes
a passion for creating solutions with a positive attitude to change
excellent analytical skills and an informed, evidence-based approach
a strong interest in business and business development
a good understanding of information technology.

Work experience

Business analysis exists in almost every sector, from not-for-profit organisations through to retail and the financial services. It's a fast-paced and competitive industry, so gaining work experience is essential.

You could apply for voluntary work with small enterprises to help improve a particular function of their organisation. This route might have a charitable focus.

Take advantage of any summer internship and placement opportunities on your course, they provide the chance to gain first-hand, practical experience and skills.

You can also contact organisations directly to enquire about work shadowing, showing an enthusiasm for this area of work and for their business sector.

Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available.

Employers

Business analysts are needed in the public and private sectors, in large multi-national companies and smaller independent enterprises. There is scope to work in this field whatever your sector interest may be. Employers may offer permanent employment, or fixed-term contracts to work on a specific project.

Many business analysts with industry experience work on a self-employed or consultancy basis.

Individual companies advertise their own business analyst positions, so search the websites of any organisations that appeal to you. You could make a speculative approach or use existing networks, such as those run by professional bodies and societies.

Look for job vacancies at:

Professional development

In any role, it's important to keep developing your skills and knowledge in line with your own interests and changes in your sector. Many organisations offer professional development through in-house training and on-the-job courses, but it's your responsibility to find your own opportunities to progress.

As a business analyst, you'll find it useful to participate in training linked to:

change management
data analytics
improved communication
information systems
project management.

You could also consider joining professional bodies, such as the:

These organisations offer their members specific professional development courses and qualifications.

Career prospects

As an entry-level business analyst, gaining experience across multiple projects would be helpful for your career development. As your career progresses, you may choose to remain as a general business analyst or specialise in a particular area such as data analytics.

Career advancement opportunities might include progression to senior level business analyst. Successful business analysts with considerable experience and a proven track record can progress to working at director and executive level.

Business analyst