[ad_1]
Program Highlights: Microsoft Business Analyst Professional CertificateOur Assessment: Best for aspiring business analysts Coursera’s Microsoft Business Analyst Professional Certificate is one of the best certificates on the market, providing the essential skills needed by business analysts. In just three months, learners can gain hands-on experience in data analysis, visualization, and reporting to prepare for entry-level positions. It covers:
|
Being a business analyst requires analytical skills and business acumen. The main goal of this position is to bridge the gap between business needs and technical solutions.
Business analysts are responsible for understanding business processes, identifying areas for improvement, and defining requirements for new systems or upgrades. Specifically, this may involve creating data models, communicating with different departments about their needs, researching new technologies, and creating reports or presentations of results.
Investing in the right technology is very important for businesses, so business analysts are in high demand. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statisticsdemand for management analysts (including business analysts) will grow 10% between 2022 and 2032—much faster than the average growth rate for all occupations.
Whether you’re researching your first job, transitioning from a different area of business, or embarking on a complete career change, this guide will provide all the information you need to become a successful business analyst. It covers:
- What does a business analyst do?
- Average salary for a business analyst.
- How to start a career as a business analyst.
- Best Business Analyst Courses.
Disclaimer: This article is sponsored by Coursera.
What does a Business Analyst do?
Business analysts are responsible for a number of tasks to help improve business efficiency, including:
- Conduct interviews, workshops and surveys with stakeholders to understand their requirements and goals.
- Create documentation of business requirements and use cases.
- Using SQL and Excel Identify trends, issues, and improvement opportunities in large data sets.
- Prepare charts, tables, and other data visualization elements.
- Evaluate technology solutions to determine which one best meets business needs.
- predict, Budget and conduct variance and financial analysis to support decision making.
- Support employees during the change process and organize testing and quality checks after the change.
look: 87 Excel Tips and Tricks: From Beginner to Pro
What is the Average Salary for a Business Analyst?
According to Glassdoor, the average annual salary for business analysts in the United States ranges from $70,000 to $118,000, with an average additional compensation of $36,000 including bonuses or profit sharing.
The average annual salary for a business analyst in the UK ranges from £32,000 to £54,000, depending on location and experience level, while additional pay averages £3,000.
What skills do you need to be a business analyst?
While many business analyst roles do not require specific skills, there are many skills that can greatly assist with day-to-day tasks or that you may need to learn on the job. These skills include:
- data analysis: This position typically requires the ability to expertly analyze data sets, identify trends, and make decisions based on the data.
- SQL: Structured Query Language is used for data extraction and manipulation in databases. Its use can significantly speed up the process of data analysis.
- Excel: Understanding pivot tables, charts, and complex formulas can also improve the efficiency of data analysis.
- data visualization: Similar tools Power BI and Tableau Used to create interactive, visually appealing data visualizations, making it easier to interpret complex data sets.
- Basic Programming: Familiarity with programming languages such as Python and R can help automate data analysis tasks.
- Project Management Tools: Yes, Trello and Asanas It is a tool commonly used by business analysts to plan, track and manage project tasks.
- Business Acumen: A thorough understanding of business operations, strategy, and financial principles will help analysts make better decisions.
- communicate: Communication skills, both written and verbal, are essential for business analysts to clearly convey ideas and findings to stakeholders.
- Project Coordination: Proficiency in this area comes from experience assisting in planning, executing, and monitoring projects, as well as natural organizational skills.
When applying for your first business analyst position, be sure to highlight these skills or experiences on your resume or CV.
look: How to query multiple tables in SQL
How to start a career as a business analyst?
As the role of a business analyst varies, so do the paths to entry into the position. There is no set formula for landing your first job; however, there are actions that can steer you in the right direction.
Earn your degree
Hiring managers often consider a variety of degree types when evaluating candidates for business analyst positions because many transferable skills can be gained in different areas of study.
An undergraduate degree in a business-related field (such as accounting, business information systems, business studies, economics, or finance) is likely to be most relevant and also demonstrates your interest in the industry.
Most STEM degrees, such as mathematics, engineering, and computer science, will also provide necessary technical skills, including statistics, programming, modeling, and Excel knowledge, as well as the ability to conduct research and presentations.
If you already have an undergraduate degree, you may want to consider taking an additional postgraduate qualification, e.g. Master of Business Administration Or a master’s degree in Business Analytics or related field.
However, for many business analyst positions, an undergraduate or graduate degree is not a necessary prerequisite.
Gain work experience
Work experience is another great way to gain the skills you need for your first business analyst job and show that you are interested in the position. It also allows you to assess whether the job is right for you. This work experience can be gained through a short-term placement, internship or apprenticeship.
These resources for U.S. applicants may help you find relevant positions:
Below are resources for UK applicants, including internship and apprenticeship programs:
Take a course or get certified
There are many courses available that are either specifically geared towards business analysts or that can provide you with some of the necessary skills to enter the industry.
Professional qualification certificate by International Association of Business Analysis Courses range from entry-level to courses that require several years of experience as a business analyst. These courses also require a considerable financial investment. For example, the IIBA Business Analysis Entry Certificate exam fee is currently $350.
Although expensive, having a recognised certificate can make your application stand out and show hiring managers that you have the skills, knowledge and passion to do the job well. However, there are many other relevant qualifications that can be obtained online, such as those offered by Courseraat a lower price or even for free.
look: Comprehensive Business Analysis Certification Training Package
What are the best courses for aspiring business analysts?
Microsoft Business Analyst Professional Certificate — Coursera
The Microsoft Business Analyst Professional Certificate program provides aspiring business analysts with the skills needed for entry-level positions. Modules cover techniques for identifying business problems, using Microsoft Excel for data analysis and visualization, modeling business processes and data, and communicating findings to stakeholders.
At the end of the course, students will complete a capstone project that puts their skills to the test in a real-world scenario and can be used for job interviews. The course can be completed at home at your own pace, and the content is regularly updated to ensure it is relevant to today’s industry requirements.
price
After a 7-day free trial, Coursera subscriptions cost between $49 and $79 or £39 per month.
period
10 hours per week for three months.
Business Analysis with Excel: Beginner to Advanced — Coursera
The Excel Business Analytics course focuses on the fundamental skills of data analysis using Microsoft Excel. The course covers basic to advanced Excel functions, data management techniques, and descriptive statistics. The course introduces learners to linear and integer optimization, decision analysis, and risk modeling—all common analytical frameworks used for business decision making.
The course modules consist of videos, practical exercises, and quizzes to ensure that skills can be applied to real business cases. The course is prepared and taught by academics from Johns Hopkins University, including Associate Mathematics Professor Dr. Joseph Cutrone. Like the Microsoft course, this course can be completed at home at your own pace.
price
The shareable certificate costs $49 or £39, while the course materials are free.
period
Seven hours per week for three weeks.
Introductory Certificate in Business Analysis — IIBA
ECBA is a highly recognized certificate issued by the International Business Analysis Association, designed specifically for new business analysts. It covers key knowledge areas from the BABOK Guide (a globally recognized standard for business analysis practice), including business analysis planning, requirements lifecycle management, strategic analysis, etc.
To obtain full certification, you need to complete at least 21 hours of professional development courses and pass a 50-question exam. This course requires a greater financial commitment than courses on Coursera.
price
The certification exam costs $350 (£275), but the cost of study materials depends on the format (face-to-face course, guide, etc). Knowledge Academy It currently costs $2,523 (£1,995).
period
This depends on the resource and the learner, but 4-6 weeks of self-study is recommended.
Professional Certificate in Agile Business Analysis — BCS (UK only)
Agile methodology is a project management approach that breaks down large projects into smaller incremental steps called sprints. This certification from the British Computer Society teaches the skills to effectively perform business analysis in an agile environment. It covers general agile methodologies and then introduces specific agile analysis, modeling and documentation techniques. Learners will also learn how to analyze business objectives by breaking them down into sprints, and how to assess whether an agile approach is appropriate for the situation.
This course requires a greater financial commitment than the courses on Coursera.
price
This depends on the practitioner, but prices are usually between £1,300 and £2,500.
period
Three days later, before a 90-minute exam.
[ad_2]
Source link
