Business Analyst Business & Administration Professionals
SaveWhat Does a Business Analyst Do?
Business analysts research and understand the strategic position of businesses and companies in relation to their markets and their stakeholders. They analyse and present their views on how the company, from many perspectives, can improve its strategic position and internal corporate structure. They assess needs for change, communication methods, technology, IT tools, new standards and certifications.
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Where Do I Start?
Scientific Research Methodology
The theoretical methodology used in scientific research involving doing background research, constructing an hypothesis, testing it, analysing data and concluding the results.
Sign up to trackReady to go deeper? Pick up to 3 skills to focus on from the list below.
These are common skills for this role. Real-world experience matters more than ticking every box — use this as a guide, not a checklist.
Skills You Need to Become a Business Analyst
Essential Skills
Essential Skills
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EssentialScientific Research Methodology knowledge
The theoretical methodology used in scientific research involving doing background research, constructing an hypothesis, testing it, analysing data and concluding the results.
Recommended Books
5 books -
EssentialRisk Management knowledge
The process of identifying, assessing, and prioritising of all types of risks and where they could come from, such as natural causes, legal changes, or uncertainty in any given context, …
Recommended Books
3 books -
EssentialMarket Research knowledge
The processes, techniques, and purposes comprised in the first step for developing marketing strategies such as the collection of information about customers and the definition of segments and targets.
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EssentialBusiness Analysis knowledge
The research field which addresses the identification of business needs and problems and the determination of the solutions that would mitigate or prevent the smooth functioning of a business. Business …
Recommended Books
2 books -
EssentialAdvise On Efficiency Improvements skill
Analyse information and details of processes and products in order to advise on possible efficiency improvements that could be implemented and would signify a better use of resources.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialAlign Efforts Towards Business Development skill
Synchronise the efforts, plans, strategies, and actions carried out in departments of companies towards the growth of business and its turnover. Keep business development as the ultimate outcome of any …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialAnalyse Business Plans skill
Analyse the formal statements from businesses which outline their business goals and the strategies they set in place to meet them, in order to assess the feasibility of the plan …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialAnalyse External Factors Of Companies skill
Perform research and analysis of the external factor pertaining to companies such as consumers, position in the market, competitors, and political situation.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialAnalyse Financial Performance Of A Company skill
Based on accounts, records, financial statements and external information of the market, analyse the performance of the company in financial matters in order to identify improvement actions that could increase …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialAnalyse Internal Factors Of Companies skill
Research and understand various internal factors that influence the operation of companies such as its culture, strategic foundation, products, prices, and available resources.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialBuild Business Relationships skill
Establish a positive, long-term relationship between organisations and interested third parties such as suppliers, distributors, shareholders and other stakeholders in order to inform them of the organisation and its objectives.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialConduct Qualitative Research skill
Gather relevant information by applying systematic methods, such as interviews, focus groups, text analysis, observations and case studies.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialConduct Quantitative Research skill
Execute a systematic empirical investigation of observable phenomena via statistical, mathematical or computational techniques.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialInterpret Financial Statements skill
Read, understand, and interpret the key lines and indicators in financial statements. Extract the most important information from financial statements depending on the needs and integrate this information in the …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialLiaise With Managers skill
Liaise with managers of other departments ensuring effective service and communication, i.e. sales, planning, purchasing, trading, distribution and technical.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialMake Strategic Business Decisions skill
Analyse business information and consult directors for decision making purposes in a varied array of aspects affecting the prospect, productivity and sustainable operation of a company. Consider the options and …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialPerform Business Analysis skill
Evaluate the condition of a business on its own and in relation to the competitive business domain, performing research, placing data in context of the business' needs and determining areas …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialIdentify Undetected Organisational Needs skill
Use the collected input and information from interviewing stakeholders and analysing organisational documents in order to detect unseen needs and improvements that would support the development of the organisation. Identify …
Course recommendations coming soon.
Optional Skills (5 of 23 displayed)
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OptionalBusiness Process Modelling knowledge
The tools, methods and notations such as Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN) and Business Process Execution Language (BPEL), used to describe and analyse the characteristics of a business process …
Recommended Books
3 books -
OptionalBusiness Intelligence knowledge
The tools used to transform large amounts of raw data into relevant and helpful business information.
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OptionalBusiness Strategy Concepts knowledge
The terminology related to the design and implementation of major trends and aims which are taken by an organisation's executives, while keeping in mind its resources, competition and environments.
Recommended Books
1 book -
OptionalBusiness Law knowledge
The field of law concerned with the trade and commerce activities of businesses and private persons and their legal interactions. This relates to numerous legal disciplines, including tax and employment …
Recommended Books
5 books -
OptionalFinancial Statements knowledge
The set of financial records disclosing the financial position of a company at the end of a set period or of the accounting year. The financial statements consisting of five …
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OptionalOrganisational Policies knowledge
The policies to achieve set of goals and targets regarding the development and maintenance of an organisation.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalCorporate Law knowledge
The legal rules that govern how corporate stakeholders (such as shareholders, employees, directors, consumers, etc) interact with one another, and the responsibilities corporations have to their stakeholders.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalQuality Standards knowledge
The national and international requirements, specifications and guidelines to ensure that products, services and processes are of good quality and fit for purpose.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalMarket Entry Strategies knowledge
The ways to enter a new market and their implications, namely; exporting via representatives, franchising to third parties, collaborating joint ventures, and opening of fully-owned subsidiaries and flagships.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalAdvise Client On Technical Possibilities skill
Recommend technical solutions, including systems, to the client within the framework of a project.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalAdvise On Communication Strategies skill
Provide companies and organisations with consulting services concerning their internal and external communication plans and their representation, including their presence online. Recommend improvements in communication and make sure that important …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalAdvise On Financial Matters skill
Consult, advise, and propose solutions with regards to financial management such as acquiring new assets, incurring in investments, and tax efficiency methods.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalAdvise On Risk Management skill
Provide advice on risk management policies and prevention strategies and their implementation, being aware of different kinds of risks to a specific organisation.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalInterview People skill
Interview people in a range of different circumstances.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalKeep Updated On The Political Landscape skill
Read, search, and analyse the political situation of a region as a source of information applicable for different purposes such as information, decision-making, and management, and investments.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalReport Analysis Results skill
Produce research documents or give presentations to report the results of a conducted research and analysis project, indicating the analysis procedures and methods which led to the results, as well …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalSeek Innovation In Current Practices skill
Search for improvements and present innovative solutions, creativity and alternative thinking to develop new technologies, methods or ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalAdvise On Organisation Climate skill
Advise organisations on their internal culture and work environment as experienced by employees, and the factors which may influence the behaviour of employees.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalAdvise On Personnel Management skill
Advise senior staff in an organisation on methods to improve relations with employees, on improved methods for hiring and training employees and increasing employee satisfaction.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalDefine Organisational Standards skill
Write, implement and foster the internal standards of the company as part of the business plans for the operations and levels of performance that the company intends to achieve.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalPropose Ict Solutions To Business Problems skill
Suggest how to solve business issues, using ICT means, so that business processes are improved.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalShape Organisational Teams Based On Competencies skill
Study the profiles of collaborators and decide the best place for directors and collaborators following an strategic mindset and serving to the goals of the company.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalSupport Implementation Of Quality Management Systems skill
Course recommendations coming soon.