What are the required business analyst skills? Whether you are a Business Analyst or aspiring to be a Business Analyst, this article will provide you the in-demand business analysis skills to help you build your career or even start your career.
We are going to discuss both the technical skills and soft skills. Please note that not all of these skills are required at the entry level. You need to master these skills in your business analysis career over the years. We have marked the entry level Business analyst skills to help differentiate the skills.
Top Business Analysis Skills
As the domain of business analysis transforms, driven by new technologies, shifting business methods, and a continuous quest for efficiency and innovation, business analysts need to develop a mix of technical skills, business understanding, and interpersonal abilities. The Business Analyst Skills Framework (CRAFT) outlines a structured approach to mastering these essential competencies:
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1. Business Analyst Soft Skills:
Effective communication lies at the core of the business analysis activities, encompassing not only information exchange but also active listening, empathy, and the ability to connect with stakeholders of varied backgrounds. Skills in negotiation, conflict resolution, and collaboration are equally vital, enabling a business analyst to serve as a liaison among diverse groups, forge consensus, and propel projects forward.
1.1 Active Listening
Active listening, a crucial skill for a business analyst, involves being fully attentive to what someone else is saying. The objective is to comprehend the feelings and viewpoints of the person.
Is it an entry level business analyst skills – Yes
1.2 Good Writing Skills
The ability to express requirements in a language easily understood by everyone is a valuable asset for a business analyst. As a Business Analyst, you need to prepare Systems Requirements specifications document and good writing skills is pretty handy.
Is it an entry level business analyst skills – Yes
1.3 Interpersonal & Communication Skills
Business analysts often engage in client meetings where top-notch interpersonal skills are essential to help clients understand proposed ideas. When collaborating with IT and business teams, negotiation skills play a crucial role. This highlights the significance of interpersonal skills in creating successful business solutions.
Is it an entry level business analyst skills – Yes
1.4 Strategic & Critical Thinking
Understanding strategic thinking approaches helps make this process go more smoothly and allows a business analyst to come up with strategic solutions to various problems.
Is it an entry level business analyst skills – No
A detailed blog article on soft skills of Business Analysts is also available.
2. Core Business Analysis Skills:
This category encompasses the essential abilities particular to the business analyst role, including eliciting, documenting, analyzing, and validating requirements. Proficiency in these areas allows a business analyst to precisely define business needs and transform them into technical specifications that inform IT development.
2.1 Eliciting Requirements
Understanding “What does the customer need?” is one of the most important skills of a Business Analyst. Without understanding the requirements correctly, it is not possible to develop the right software.
Is it an entry level business analyst skills – Yes
2.2 Analysis and Modelling
Breaking down requirements, analyzing the requirements and modelling requirements are other important business analysis skills. Use cases, user stories, functional decomposition, process modelling, prototyping and data modelling are some of the techniques, one must master.
Is it an entry level business analyst skills – Yes
3. Functional Knowledge:
Profound knowledge of the industry or domain where a business analyst works greatly enhances their impact. This insight aids in recognizing industry trends, obstacles, and opportunities, leading to strategic decisions and innovative solutions.
Is it an entry level business analyst skills – Better to have
4. Functional Testing:
Business analysts also contribute to ensuring that developed solutions meet the outlined requirements. Knowledge of functional testing methods is crucial for validating solutions, guaranteeing they fulfill their intended purpose and meet user expectations.
Is it an entry level business analyst skills – Yes
5. Business Analyst Technical Skills :
With the growing integration of technology in business, analysts must have a basic understanding of the technological landscape including data skills, API knowledge, SQL and even Data Visualization skills.
5.1. Application Programming Interfaces (APIs)
APIs are key for system and software integration, promoting smooth data exchange and functionality across different platforms.
Is it an entry level business analyst skills – Yes
5.2. Cloud Computing
Knowledge of cloud computing is critical as more businesses move towards cloud-based solutions for their flexibility, scalability, and cost efficiency.
Is it an entry level business analyst skills – No
5.3. Data Visualization
The ability to effectively visualize data is essential for informed decision-making. It includes creating visual charts and dashboards to represent data to make it easier for taking decisions. Learn more in our article on Data Visualization.
Is it an entry level business analyst skills – No
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5.4. SQL
Understanding SQL enables business analysts to extract insights from databases, aiding data-driven decisions.
Is it an entry level business analyst skills – Good to have
5.5. Data Mapping Skills
Proficient data mapping is necessary for the accurate integration and transformation of data from various sources in business processes.
Is it an entry level business analyst skills – No
5.6. Machine Learning & Artificial Intelligence (AI/ML)
An understanding of AI and ML is increasingly valuable as companies seek to use these technologies for competitive advantage.
Is it an entry level business analyst skills – No
Conclusion
As we approach 2024, the demand for proficient business analysts is expected to rise. The skills highlighted here combine technical expertise, business insight, and interpersonal effectiveness, foundational for succeeding in this role. For those aspiring to become business analysts, focusing on these skills is a strategic approach to career progression.
Pursuing professional courses and certification programs to learn these skills will help you build successful career. Techcanvass offers a range of business analysis courses like CBAP Training, CCBA Training, ECBA (Entry Certificate in Business Analysis) training, and other Business Analysts Courses. As the business landscape evolves, individuals armed with the right skills will not only prosper but also drive significant change within their organizations. Embracing continuous learning and positioning oneself at the forefront of the business analysis sector in 2024 and beyond is essential.
