Everyday, organizations across the globe make strategic decisions about the products/services/processes to roll-out or improve in order to continue to best serve customers/clients. Ever wondered how those decisions are made and justified?

Business Analysts play a key role in enabling the implementation of innovative solutions required to create/improve products/services/processes. BAs are central to collecting and aggregating requirements needed to support the adoption of new systems, proposing system changes and ensuring that system designs align with organizational objectives.  

Salaries for business analysts average $74,186, and analysts working on highly complex projects earn higher salaries. 

The growing demand for business analysts and the role’s attractive salary has made it a booming industry for both newbies and already business-centered individuals. 

Here are 5 steps to take when looking to become a Business Analyst.

1. Learn the Fundamentals of Business Analysis

Typical duties include of a Business Analyst include

• Identifying improvement opportunities in current processes/products/services.
• Collaborating with stakeholders to elicit, validate and document requirements
• Coordinating testing and deployment of approved solutions
• Facilitating training sessions and owning post-deployment maintenance processes

  2. Take a Course/Certification

Getting a degree in Business Analysis proves to employers that you have the desired skills and knowledge they need. However, possessing a degree is not a compulsory requirement for becoming a Business Analyst. There are certifications and short training programs which are designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge required to function effectively as a Business Analyst. 

  3. Find a Mentor

Learning directly from a senior business analyst will reinforce all the information gained from the short training and give you more confidence before, during and after your transition into business analysis. 

  4. Partake in Business Analysis Projects

In choosing a short business analysis training program, be sure to look out for courses with a perfect blend of both the theoretical and practical aspects of business analysis. The practical aspects will typically require you to work on case studies and simulated/live projects. 

  5. Start Searching for Jobs

Once you have completed the training, you will have developed significant confidence from exposure to case studies and projects. You will now need to develop a resume which reflects your acquired skills and expertise, and tailored specifically to each job you would like to apply for. It is also important to actively seek out networking opportunities. Find networks of similarly minded individuals or organizations such as the IIBA or LinkedIn BA groups, as many jobs are usually advertised, especially on LinkedIn and other job sites. Some of the regularly advertised BA-related jobs include; 

• Data Analyst
• Functional Analyst
• Quantitative Analyst
• Business Systems Analyst
• Enterprise Architect
• Process Architect
• Business Solution Architect
• IT Project Coordinator
• IT Lead
• Process Coordinator
• Management Consultant
• Product Manager/Product Owner 
• Project Manager
• Compliance Manager
• Chief Information Officer

  What Next?

Exce Consulting Inc is a reputable organization which periodically delivers a bespoke Business Analysis Program. ECI’s BA Training Program is designed specially for anyone looking to transition to business analysis regardless of their background. The firm’s vision is to help make your transition into the existing field of business analysis as seamless as possible. Want to find out how? Register for the next cohort of our next Business Analysis Training Program!