Business Analysts today are in high demand by both big corporates and small startups alike. So, you must be wondering, why is the role so important? And how do you become a Business Analyst?
Business Analysts play a crucial role in improving efficiency, productivity and profitability of a company. With many organisations realising the importance of the role, Business Analyst professionals are beginning to gain a lot of demand globally.
They are crucial for bridging the gap between business needs and technical solutions. If you’re looking to enter this field in India in 2024, here is a detailed Business Analyst roadmap to guide you on how to become a Business Analyst.
Understand the Role and Responsibilities of a Business Analyst
A Business Analyst’s roles and responsibilities primarily revolves around understanding business needs, translating them into solutions, and ensuring successful implementation. Here’s a breakdown of a Business Analyst’s key roles and responsibilities:
- Understanding Needs: Business Analysts gather requirements from various departments and document them clearly.
- Communication & Collaboration: You will be required to act as interpreters, explaining business needs to technical teams and managing stakeholder expectations.
- Improving Processes: You will have to analyse business processes, identify inefficiencies, and design solutions for improvement.
- Project Involvement: You will participate in project lifecycles, tracking requirements and ensuring smooth implementation.
Skills Required to Become a Business Analyst
Here’s a breakdown of the key skills required to become a Business Analyst in 2024:
Technical Skills:
- Data analysis and visualisation: Proficiency in tools like SQL (database querying), Excel (data manipulation), and data visualisation software (Tableau, Power BI) is essential.
- Statistical and quantitative analysis: Understanding statistical concepts allows you to interpret data, identify trends, and make data-driven recommendations. Programming languages like R and Python are increasingly valuable for BAs.
- Business Intelligence (BI) tools: Familiarity with BI tools helps you gather, analyse, and present data insights for business stakeholders.
- Understanding of SDLC (Software Development Life Cycle): Knowing the different stages of software development helps you interact effectively with development teams.
Soft Skills:
- Communication and presentation skills: Excellent written and verbal communication is key for Business Analysts. You’ll have to document processes, present findings, and bridge the gap between technical and non-technical teams.
- Problem-solving and critical thinking: Business Analysts identify problems, analyse root causes, and recommend solutions. Strong analytical and critical thinking skills are crucial.
- Interpersonal and negotiation skills: Collaboration and building relationships are essential. You’ll work with various stakeholders, so effective interpersonal and negotiation skills are key.
- Adaptability and continuous learning: A Business Analyst’s role is dynamic. Be prepared to learn new technologies, processes, and industry trends to stay relevant.
While a formal education can provide a strong foundation, Business Analyst skills can also be developed through a combination of relevant courses, certifications, and practical experience.
Qualifications to Become a Business Analyst
Here are the minimum qualifications to become a Business Analyst.
- A bachelor’s degree is the minimum requirement. Relevant fields include Business Administration (BBA), Economics, Finance, Information Technology (IT), or similar disciplines.
- An MBA can give you an edge, but a bachelor’s is sufficient for entry-level positions.
Business Analyst Fresher Salary
The average salary of a Business Analyst fresher in India can range from ₹3.5 lakhs to ₹4 lakhs per annum. A Business Analyst fresher’s salary in India can vary depending on several factors like:
- City: Metropolitan cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bangaluru or Hyderabad typically offer higher salaries than tier-2 or tier-3 cities.
- Company reputation: MNCs and large corporations generally pay more than startups or smaller companies.
- Educational background: A master’s degree or relevant certifications might fetch a higher starting salary.
- Specific skills: Skills in data analysis, programming, or domain knowledge can increase your value.
Certifications for a Business Analyst
Certifications are generally not mandatory, but they are beneficial as they give you an edge over other candidates.
You can explore certifications like the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA) – Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP) or PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PBA). These certifications validate your knowledge and improve your profile.
Gain Practical Experience
Look for internship opportunities related to business analysis. This provides hands-on experience and helps you build your portfolio. Paid internships can be found on online platforms like Zuno.
You can also participate in pro bono projects or volunteer work to showcase your skills.
Craft a Compelling Resume and Apply for Jobs
- Tailor your resume to highlight the skills and experience relevant to the Business Analyst role you’re applying for.
- Use keywords from job descriptions and showcase your achievements with quantifiable results.
- Look for openings on job portals, company websites, and professional networking sites like LinkedIn and foundit.
The Business Analyst role is constantly evolving, and it is important to stay updated on industry trends and with technologies that will be beneficial for your long-term career growth. So, make sure you research and stay updated.
All the best!
FAQs on How to Become a Business Analyst
Q1. What does a Business Analyst do?
Ans: Business Analysts translate business problems into solutions IT teams can build. They’re basically tech-savvy business translators.
Q2. What are the qualifications required to become a Business Analyst?
Ans: A bachelor’s degree in business, IT, or a related field is typically required to become a Business Analyst. Master’s degrees can be beneficial but not always mandatory.
Q3. What is the difference between a Business Analyst and a data analyst?
Ans: Business Analysts focus on business needs and translate them into solutions, while Data Analysts dive deep into data to uncover trends and insights.
Q4. What is the average salary for Business Analysts in India?
Ans: The average Business Analyst salary in India ranges from ₹6 lakhs to ₹10 lakhs per annum
Q5. What career opportunities are available for fresher Business Analysts in India?
Ans: Fresher Business Analysts in India can find opportunities in various industries like IT, finance, healthcare etc. You can work on the following roles:
- Business Analyst Trainee
- Junior Business Analyst
- Associate Business Analyst
