What does an entry-level business analyst do?

A business analyst is a specialist who analyzes data, identifies trends, and recommends solutions to business challenges to assist organizations in making informed decisions. They are critical in bridging the gap between an organization’s technical and business information. Moreover, they work closely with stakeholders to learn their needs, communicating findings and recommendations.

Business analysts gather, analyze, and interpret data using several tools and methodologies. They are frequently involved in various projects and initiatives, from enhancing operational efficiency to innovating new goods and services. The skills and functions of an analyst have become increasingly important in today’s fast-paced and ever-changing business environment, with the growing importance of data-driven decision-making.

Job description of an entry-level business analyst

Business analysts’ responsibilities include identifying business goals, developing best practices for data collection, and analyzing current processes to improve them. They provide solution-oriented adjustments to increase efficiency by optimizing processes, lowering costs, and identifying new business prospects. It is accomplished by conducting research and data analysis, offering various data-driven options, and executing those solutions and improvements using analytics tools and technology. You need to work on your CV to improve your chances of getting a good job as a business analyst.

The entry-level business analyst job description includes some key tasks, which are as follows:

Duties of a Business Analyst
Business process evaluation
Conducting requirements analysis
Keeping track and communicating the outcomes of your work
Allocating resources while remaining cost-effective
Updating, implementing, and maintaining procedures
Managing resources and priorities that are clashing
Reviewing deliverables and ensuring project completion on time

Salary and career growth

The entry-level business analyst salary in India is INR 8,00,000 per year. However, this might vary depending on the industry, region, and company size.

In terms of professional advancement chances, business analysis is a field with numerous opportunities for growth and advancement in India. An entry-level business analyst with experience and additional education or certifications can advance to roles such as the following:

1. Senior Business Analyst

The business analyst, in this capacity, guides and coaches junior analysts and manages complex projects.

2. Team Lead

The business analyst in this capacity oversees a team of analysts and is in charge of project delivery, resource management, and client interactions.

3. Business Process Manager

The business analyst, in this capacity, oversees the entire business process and ensures that it matches the organization’s goals.

4. Management Consultant

The business analyst collaborates with clients to discover areas of improvement, establish business requirements, and provide solutions.

5. Project Manager

The business analyst manages operations from beginning to end and is accountable for completing projects on schedule, within budget, and to the required quality standards.

6. Information Security Analyst

Cybercrime is a dangerous concern for most; thus, cybersecurity experts are always in high demand. Information security analysts safeguard enterprises from cyber criminals by evaluating security data and tracking IT networks and systems. If you’re fascinated by ethical hacking, this job is for you.

7. Data Analysis Scientist

A bachelor’s degree in computer science, statistics, mathematics, or a related discipline is required to become a Data Analysis Scientist. You would be in charge of evaluating massive data sets for insights. Data scientists can be useful in various industries, including retail, healthcare, and finance.

Business analysts are an important element of any firm and will have a  brighter scope in the future. MAHE (Manipal Academy of Higher Education) offers a wide range of classes to assist you in receiving the business analyst training you need, whether you want to work as a consultant or as an on-staff analyst within an enterprise.

You may like to bust top myths about a career in business analytics.

Qualifications and skills to become an entry-level business analyst

For an entry-level business analyst qualification, most organizations require a bachelor’s degree. However, the scarcity of undergraduate programs in India specifically designed to train business analysts leads many aspiring candidates to turn to online courses to support their career transition. Business degrees in human resources, operations management, finance, logistics, accounting, math, marketing, business administration, business analytics, and business information systems are strong qualifications for landing job positions in this industry.

In the hiring process for senior analyst or consultant roles, many organizations seek individuals with a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree and relevant business analyst skills. Junior analysts who have gained a few years of experience in the field often pursue their master’s degrees to advance their careers. However, it’s worth noting that a master’s degree is not a strict requirement for professional growth. Candidates with substantial work experience, specialized knowledge, and a proven track record of exceptional performance may still secure these positions without an MBA.

The following skills will help a business analyst in the long run:

1. Communication skills

A business analyst must have great communication skills to work with all teams, clients, and stakeholders. It is part of knowing what the client wants, explaining managerial changes, and IT-based problem-solving. Mostly, a business analyst’s everyday responsibilities center significantly on communication. Hence, developing your verbal and written communication skills is critical as you begin your career.

2. Technical skills

Business analysts must understand the technical aspects of a project to provide relevant insights and recommendations to non-technical stakeholders.

Technical skills enable business analysts to evaluate a project’s feasibility effectively and identify potential technical roadblocks. It also enables them to collaborate with the technical team and identify innovative solutions to technical challenges. Technical skills also help business analysts to understand the impact of technical decisions on the overall business goals and to ensure that the final solution aligns with the business objectives.

3. Analytical skills

A senior business analyst must know advanced analytics and related methods, such as algorithms, model creation, and statistical data interpretation.

Conclusion

Business analytics is changing the world by assisting firms in making data-driven decisions, improving processes, and staying ahead of the competition. The abilities you learn as a business analyst will come in handy in various other professions, including project management, program management, business architecture, and strategy.

Thus, the MAHE’s online programs can be beneficial if you want to become a business analyst. We offer online M. Sc. in Business Analytics and PGCP in Business Analytics, which will prepare you to provide data-driven responses to clients, address organizational challenges, and develop business strategies utilizing data. Moreover, you can pursue your desired course online, even while working on a job!

Key takeaways:

• A business analyst is a critical thinker who defines and implements company change. They can make a significant difference in corporate success and impact how a firm works.
• To work as a successful business analyst, you must have strong data analysis abilities and the capacity to extract insights from large data sets.
• Business analysts conduct critical examinations of a company’s organization and how it handles business processes, implements technical solutions, and seeks new business prospects. They also decide whether a given action’s advantages outweigh the costs.