Business analyst

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, your aim will be to understand an organisation, including how it works and what its aims and needs are, so that you can make plans for its future and help to implement improvements and solutions.

This may be for one specific project, such as a new software system, or for ongoing business needs to ensure the efficient and effective running of the organisation. You may be looking at developing its functions, services and products and will have to analyse information from the business as well as the wider sector to ensure the best results.

You will need to meet goals with internal and external stakeholders and will need to make sure they understand the potential gains and risks from any suggested plans. 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.

Many different job titles are used depending on the sector and employer, including:

• 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 £24,000 to £33,000.
• 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 £400 and £550 per day.

Income figures are intended as a guide only.

Working hours

You'll typically work standard full time hours across Monday to Friday. Some evening or overtime work may be required if you're approaching specific deadlines. If you're working as a contractor, you may need to work longer hours during the week and sometimes at 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.
• Jobs are available throughout the UK within a variety of organisations.
• Self-employment is an option after you have built up significant experience and have acquired specific knowledge of the market place and/or industry.

Qualifications

Competition for business analyst positions is high, so having a degree is a distinct advantage. Relevant subjects include:

• business management
• business information/computing systems
• computer science
• economics
• finance
• mathematics.

Other degrees will be considered, especially if they show evidence of excellent analytical and research skills.

If you're a graduate from a unrelated subject, you could take a relevant postgraduate qualification but check exactly what employers are looking for first as it may not be needed. Search for postgraduate courses in computer science and IT.

It's also possible to take an apprenticeship route to become a business analyst. This allows you to work and earn a salary while gaining the relevant qualification. Examples of relevant programmes include the Project Manager Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship.

Relevant experience of managing projects can provide a pathway into working as a business analyst, although this is more likely if you have a few years' industry experience, rather than looking to begin your 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.

Skills

You'll need:

• excellent communication skills, with the ability to talk and present to a range of audiences, sometimes acting as a translator of technical information between parties
• the capacity to motivate others and lead change
• the ability to work under pressure on multiple projects within your project timeframes
• strong team working skills to bring people together on new projects and ways of working
• 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 year-in-industry, summer internship and placement opportunities on your course as 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.

It is also helpful to become a student member of a relevant professional body such as the International Institute of Business Analysis UK (IIBA UK). This gives you access to events and possible networking opportunities which as well as showing your commitment to the role, also may lead to future work.

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

Employers

You can find work as a business analyst in a variety of areas including 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:

• businessanalystjobs
• CWJobs
• eFinancialCareers
• Technojobs
• Women in Tech Jobs

Professional development

Many organisations offer professional development through in-house training and on-the-job courses. It is important to keep your analytical and research skills up to date through continuing professional development (CPD) but you will also need to make sure you’re aware of current trends and developments in the sector in which you're working.

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:

• BCS (The Chartered Institute for IT)
• Institution of Analysts and Programmers (IAP)
• International Institute of Business Analysis UK (IIBA UK)

These organisations offer their members specific professional development courses and qualifications and also help with recording your CPD activities.

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.

You could also consider becoming a self-employed consultant. This would allow you to have more flexibility and choice over the type of projects you work on.

It's also possible to move into a related career such as management consultant, IT consultant, project manager or risk manager.