Business Analysts play an important role in helping businesses become the best they can be. Organisations that want to stay ahead in an age of political uncertainty, pandemics, fierce competition, and ever-expanding technology look to Business Analysts for guidance.
BAs (Business Analysts) can be found in a wide range of industries and organisations, ranging from government, education, design, IT, finance and even non-profit. They play a key role in analysing external factors that could affect a business and advising on changes the business needs to make in order to match the demands of an ever-changing world.Â
Do you want to know if becoming a Business Analyst is the correct career choice for you, or how to become a Business Analyst? Keep on reading.
What is the value of Business Analysts?
For a company to devise an effective business strategy, they need to be able to look at the future of the company and ensure that goals are set that will enable the organisation to grow and flourish. This is where a Business Analyst comes in. A BA can hold a clear and in-depth understanding of the business’s needs and then identify areas where the business can improve to meet those needs. They create strategies to execute these improvements while making sure that the relevant stakeholders are informed and understand what is taking place. Â
A Business Analyst ensures that their solutions have not only positive short-term effects but long-term effects which will result in the overall improvement and growth of a business.
Why is Business Analysis relevant in today's economy?
The world is constantly evolving, meaning that technological and business needs are shifting and changing along with it. For a business to grow and thrive, they need a Business Analyst to come in and pinpoint the areas that the business needs to improve on in order to stay relevant. Businesses need someone to bridge the gap between business ideas and business capabilities, drive change management, make digital transformation easier, and communicate complex processes simply and effectively. All of these things will result in a better, more successful business –the goal of every business owner.Â
Your prospects as a Business Analyst
An exciting aspect of being a Business Analyst is that your career can go in many different directions and can translate well into various specialities.Business Analysts will often follow a typical route of career progression that looks something like this:
Junior Business Analyst > Business Analyst > Senior Business Analyst > Lead Business Analyst
However, because Business Analyst roles are as varied as the companies they work for, it’s difficult to define a traditional, linear career path. Once you have experience as a BA, there’s a world of opportunity available to you.
Although many people choose to stay in their role as BA and become progressively more senior (and therefore better compensated), others choose to branch out into related functions such as:
- Change management
- Organisational change and development
- Enterprise architecture
- Business architecture
- External business consultancy
- Head of business analysis practice
- Head of business change
- Portfolio manager/director
Many C-suite executives, including those in roles such as chief executive officer (CEO), chief operations officer (COO), chief technology officer (CTO), and chief information officer (CIO), have a background in business analysis.
IT business analysts, architects, and systems designers are currently on the Skilled Worker Shortage Occupation List in the UK, meaning there is a national shortage of these skilled workers.
BAs are in exceptionally high demand, so salary, benefits and compensations are at an all-time high. Now more than ever is a great time to consider a career in business analysis.
The first step to becoming a Business Analyst
Your first step to becoming a Business Analyst is completing The International Diploma in Business Analysis.This diploma, as an internationally recognised certificate, is a way to demonstrate to any company that you have a thorough understanding of business analysis and are prepared and professionally certified to step into the role of business analyst. At Manager Training, we offer the International Diploma in Business Analysis along with additional study support such as mentors, tutors, and recruitment services.Â
Contact us today to get started on the next step in your career journey.