A business analyst is a professional who works with organizations to help them improve their processes and systems. While many business analysts work in the information technology (IT) industry, the role is not limited to that field. Business analysts can be found in various industries such as finance, healthcare, and manufacturing, among others. They help bridge the gap between the technical and business worlds, working with both IT teams and non-technical business stakeholders to understand their needs and identify solutions that align with the organization’s goals.
Information technology (IT) industry
The information technology (IT) industry is a broad field that encompasses many different areas of technology and computer systems. It includes the development, maintenance, and use of computer hardware, software, and networks for the storage, processing, and communication of data. Some of the specific areas within the IT industry include:
- Computer hardware and software engineering
- Network and information security
- Database management and administration
- Cloud computing and virtualization
- Artificial intelligence and machine learning
- Mobile and web application development
- Technical support and troubleshooting
- IT consulting and project management
and Business Analyst role includes working with IT team on analysis, design and implementation of projects, the role is closely related with IT industry.
Technical and business worlds
The technical and business worlds often have different perspectives, goals, and terminology, and a business analyst is responsible for bridging the gap between them.
- The technical world deals with the development, maintenance, and use of computer hardware, software, and networks. Technical professionals, such as software engineers and network administrators, are experts in these areas and are focused on ensuring that systems are secure, efficient, and reliable.
- The business world, on the other hand, deals with organizational goals, financials, and operations. Business professionals, such as managers and executives, are focused on ensuring that the organization is profitable, competitive, and compliant.
A business analyst plays a key role in bridging the divide between these two worlds. They work with both technical and business stakeholders to understand their needs and identify solutions that align with the organization’s goals. They need to have knowledge of both the technical aspects of systems and the business processes and goals they support. They need to have communication and translation skills to understand the business language of stakeholders and express the solution requirements in technical terms.
The main task of business analyst is to facilitate the communication and alignment between IT and business. They act as a translator, a liaison and a consultant, to understand business requirements, identify and evaluate options for meeting those needs, and then help design and implement solutions that are efficient, effective and sustainable.
Business analyst salary
Business analyst salaries can vary widely depending on factors such as experience, location, and industry. According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) in the United States, the median annual salary for management analysts, which includes business analysts, was $85,260 as of May 2020. Salaries can range from less than $60,000 to over $150,000 per year.
In addition, location can affect salary, with business analysts in metropolitan areas generally earning more than those in rural areas. Industry is also a factor, with business analysts in the finance and insurance industries typically earning higher salaries than those in other industries.
It’s also worth noting that Business Analysts can have different roles, some of them specialized in specific areas such as IT, Data and Systems, Business Transformation, etc, and these roles can have different levels of experience and seniority which can greatly impact the salary.
Keep in mind that these numbers are just estimates, and specific salary information for a particular job or individual can vary widely depending on factors such as company size, location, industry, and the qualifications of the candidate.
Non-technical business stakeholders
Non-technical business stakeholders are individuals or groups within an organization who do not have a technical background but are impacted by or have a stake in the decisions and outcomes of technical projects. They can include people from various departments such as finance, marketing, human resources, operations, and more.
Some examples of non-technical business stakeholders include:
- A manager in the finance department who needs to understand the costs and benefits of a new system before approving the budget.
- A human resources representative who needs to understand how a new system will affect their department’s processes and the training that will be required.
- A sales representative who needs to understand how a new system will improve their ability to generate leads and close deals.
Effective communication with non-technical stakeholders is important to ensure they understand the goals and benefits of a technical project and how it will affect their work. Business analysts, project managers, and other technical team members may be responsible for communicating with non-technical stakeholders to explain technical concepts in a way that is easy for them to understand, and address any concerns or questions they may have.
It is important to understand the business objectives of stakeholders and align them with the technical solutions and strategy. The ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders regardless of their technical expertise is a key skill for many roles including business analyst and project manager.
