Business Analyst Career Guide: How to Get Started

Are you aspiring to be a Business Analyst? But you have no idea how to get there? Well, if yes, then this article is for you. Business Analysis (BA) has become an integral part of every department in many organizations. Companies from different sectors are willing to pay excellent compensation for candidates who can add value to their organization. In this article, let us explore how to become a business analyst.

What Does a Business Analyst Do?

The business analyst acts as a liaison between the Business and the IT team in a company, by finding ways to streamline the entire business processes throughout the organization. He/she communicates with different departments in an organization, and recommends solutions to challenging problems. While the responsibilities of a business analyst have changed from what they were before, in general, we can say that a business analyst acts as a change agent in the organization.

The other responsibilities of a Business Analyst are as follows:

• Recognizing opportunities for enhancement in business operations and processes
• Designing or modification of IT systems
• Interacting with several stakeholders and subject matter experts to understand their problems
• Gathering and analysing the business needs and requirements
• Creating technical solutions for the stakeholders problems
• Being answerable for all the actions taking place while implementing the project

While this is by no means the exhaustive list, I am sure you might have got the gist of the business analyst role. These days you can find business analysts working in different stages of a project implementation with different responsibilities such as:

• Regulating the work-flows in the Process Design phase
• Interpreting IT department’s requirements in System Analysis phase
• Recognizing the company needs in strategic planning phase
• Evaluating the defined policies and verifying their implementation in business analysis model

Now that you have an idea of what a business analyst does, let us check out what is the procedure to become one.

How to Become a Business Analyst?

1. Pursue a Degree in Appropriate Field

Often business analysts can come from different academic backgrounds such as business administration, finance, statistics, information management, and computer science. The basic requirement to qualify for entry level positions in the field of business analysis is to have a bachelor’s degree. Undergraduate programs in either analytics, business functions, and statistics or in similar domains will help you develop basic skills in this domain. For higher level positions a masters or a doctorate degree are crucial.

Along with a degree building knowledge of the business analyst role should be your first step. For that, the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge (BABOK) reference book is a good starting point.

2. Fine Tune Relevant Skills

Next step is to fine tune both your technical and business skills that will help you land a job in the business analysis domain. Some of the technical skills include:

• Data Visualization
• Business Analysis Tools
• Statistical Analysis Software
• Database Design
• Business Intelligence
• Visual Modeling Techniques

With new tools and techniques coming into picture every day, this skill list is subject change. Business skills that you add weightage to your BA career include:

• Good Analysis Skills
• Creative and Critical Thinking 
• Effective Problem Solving 
• Good Communication
• Elicitation Techniques
• Project Management

3.Get Certified

Though a lot of companies do not ask for certification when hiring, business analysis certifications can help you stand out from other applicants when applying for jobs. If you are already a working professional, a certification can further increase your professional development opportunities in your current organization. Therefore, consider earning a professional certification. Taking business analysis training can help you clear the certification exams and acquire advanced skills to bag jobs that offer high-level salaries.

At Invensis Learning, you can enroll in Business Analysis Foundation & Business Analysis Practitioner certification courses which are inline with the EXIN exam format.

Look for the applicable training program that matches your interest, finances, and delivers success in your business analysis career. Enrol to any of the above business analyst certification courses based on your qualification and become a certified business analyst.

4.Gain Real-world Experience

While certification can help you to a certain extent, gaining the real-world experience does the real job. You can take up some internships while you are getting your degree. Try gaining more knowledge about the job using various sources you get on the internet.If had a chance to be volunteered in any projects, offer your skills. If you already have some experience, try to reach the higher authority to make you include in the team.

5. Continue Learning

At this point, you will have enough knowledge of the business analysis field, and relevant skills required to get hired. Yet, it is important to keep learning. If you are already working, add some new skills to your resume.

Skills That You Will Learn From Business Analysis Certification

Business analysis certification course by Invensis Learning is in line with the EXIN exam format. It will help to boost your skills, knowledge, and experience. Upon successful completion of the course, you will be possessing the following skills:

• Provide, access, and validate a broad range of solutions
• Work as a professional by making ethical judgments and decisions
• Have Appropriate knowledge on written, verbal and other communication means
• Have detailed knowledge on documenting, managing, researching and communicating all the business requirements from the bottom line to the top
• Demonstrate Many organization skills by preparing written and verbal presentations, interviewing clients and facilitating meetings
• Perform a variety of quality control actions like gap analysis, problem analysis, needs assessment, cost benefit analysis, business test plans and test cases
• Interpret and manage the data to have a clear idea about the present trend
• Design or develop the required lists and constraint documents

Conclusion

According to Payscale.com, “The average salary for a Global Business Analyst is $74,000 Most of the business analysts work in the position for almost 1-4 years, and almost all move on to more advanced positions within 20 years. Promotions can either be project manager, senior business analyst, and many other roles. So, are you ready to jumpstart your career as a business analyst? Get started today with Invensis Learning’ business analysis training courses.