Becoming Business analyst
A business analyst is a professional who acts as a bridge between business needs and technical solutions. Their role is to analyze processes, gather requirements, and identify opportunities for improvement to help organizations make data-driven decisions. Business analysts work closely with stakeholders to understand challenges, translate them into clear specifications, and ensure that technology or strategy solutions align with business goals. They often use tools like process mapping, data modeling, and performance metrics to evaluate options and recommend changes. Found in industries such as finance, healthcare, IT, and consulting, business analysts are key to driving efficiency, reducing costs, and supporting digital transformation. Their mix of analytical skills, communication abilities, and business knowledge makes them essential in shaping strategies and ensuring successful project outcomes.
What is the role of a business analyst?
The business analyst plays a key role within companies. They are specialized consultants who assess how well a company's information systems (IS) align with its strategic objectives. In the business world, the ability to effectively evaluate and optimize business processes is critical for success. A business analyst’s role is to drive business performance and improvement by providing insight into the operations of the organization. Business analyst responsibilities include analyzing processes, identifying opportunities for improvement, and ensuring that business needs are met through technology or strategy solutions.
In other words, the business analyst acts as a liaison between various operational departments of the company and the Information Systems Department (ISD). By studying numerical data, they conduct analyses and provide strategic recommendations. Their ability to conduct data analysis and interpret findings is essential to generating valuable insights.
Business analyst duties involve giving value to the company's key figures under the supervision of marketing and/or commercial management. The business analyst conducts structural analyses of the market, verifies financial and marketing mechanisms, evaluates the effectiveness of strategies, and makes necessary adjustments. This requires working closely with professionals across business areas such as sales, finance, and management to ensure alignment with the company's strategic goals.
What are the main missions of the business Analyst ?
The principal missions of the business analyst include defining key performance indicators (KPIs), implementing monitoring and forecasting tools with the ISD, analyzing databases, synthesizing analysis results, identifying issues, and implementing corrective operations. A critical part of this role also involves gathering requirements from stakeholders and translating them into clear business requirements that guide solutions. Each step in these processes requires a deep understanding of business dynamics and a systematic approach to problem-solving.
The business analyst must also focus on improving processes by identifying inefficiencies and recommending solutions. They need to analyze various data sources to identify trends and patterns that can lead to better decision-making. This requires not only analytical skills but also strong communication skills to effectively share findings with stakeholders. Furthermore, the ability to implement effective change management strategies is crucial for driving improvements within the organization.
What are the skills required to be a business analyst ?
The business analyst is primarily an analyst. They must be comfortable with IT tools and complex statistical data. This professional must master data visualization tools such as Tableau, Power BI, or Google Data Studio, which are essential for presenting complex data in an understandable manner. Proficiency in data analytics and business intelligence is vital for identifying insights that drive business value.
Technical-functional profiles must have skills in Python programming. Specific qualifications related to the company's sector (banking, finance, insurance) are also valuable assets. Lastly, a business analyst, who often operates internationally, must be fluent in English. Understanding the global market is a key skill for business analysts, especially when working for multinational companies.
Beyond technical skills, they must possess soft skills such as precision, analytical thinking, interpersonal skills, and proposal and persuasion strengths. These skills enable them to communicate effectively with various stakeholders, including clients and team members, ensuring that their analysis leads to actionable business decisions.
How to become a business analyst ?
For students with a high school diploma
The career path to becoming a business analyst can be supported by various programs. The Global BBA is a four-year program in international management, based on project-based learning, with numerous academic and professional immersions abroad, and a specialization in the fourth year. This program is accessible after graduating high school. With the courses in this program, you will master the management of impactful projects in an international context across various domains, from start-ups to multinationals, through enriching international experiences and exchanges with partner universities.
For students with a bachelor’s degree
emlyon business school offers Master of Science programs that allow entry into business analyst positions, such as the Master in Digital Marketing & Data Analytics. This program is divided into four competency blocks over the year, where you will master the realms of digital marketing and data exploitation. The program includes training in the latest data analysis techniques and tools, preparing students to tackle complex business challenges with confidence.
You will learn to lead a digital strategy and its performance indicators, produce and analyze data, develop your skills in programmatic marketing to meet a company's marketing challenges, and finally, identify new opportunities and development potentials with ethical and environmental considerations in mind. These competencies are crucial for the evolving roles of business analysts, especially as they integrate more with the digital aspects of business operations.
For students with a master’s degree
The Advanced Master in Stratégie & Développement des Affaires Internationales (taught in French only), offered by emlyon business school, is a 13-month program designed to train experienced international business engineers. This program is ideal for those looking to deepen their understanding of international business dynamics and develop strategic planning skills crucial for senior business analyst roles.
What is the salary and career progression of a business analyst?
The median annual salary of a business analyst varies depending on geographic location, years of experience, and the scope (and complexity) of the role. The size of the company also affects remuneration. On average, a junior business analyst can expect an annual gross salary between €40,000 and €45,000, while a senior profile can earn up to €65,000 annually. These salaries reflect the high demand for skilled analysts who can drive business success.
The business analyst profession offers numerous career opportunities, such as pre-sales consultant, consultant in project management support, Big Data Manager, Marketing Manager, and Financial Manager. As business analysts gain experience, they may progress to higher-level positions, such as product manager, business architect, or even management consultant roles.
Why you need to choose emlyon business school?
The private higher education institution recognized by the State, specializing in business and management, emlyon business school celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2022. With its 200 international partners and a network of 45,000 alumni, the school offers genuine career opportunities to its students. emlyon business school adopts an “makers pedagogy”, a system focused on collective and individual experimentation and learning by doing.
emlyon business school emphasizes the importance of business education in preparing students for the dynamic world of business analysis. The school offers programs designed to develop critical business analyst skills and knowledge, ensuring graduates are well-equipped to meet industry demands. By integrating modern technology and innovative learning approaches, emlyon provides an education that is both relevant and impactful.
The comprehensive curriculum offered by emlyon ensures that students not only meet the academic requirements but also gain practical experience through internships and industry collaborations. This combination of education and real-world application helps students develop the skills necessary for a successful career in business analysis.
In conclusion, the role of a business analyst is indispensable for organizations aiming to improve business performance and achieve strategic goals. With the right education and training, such as those offered at emlyon business school, aspiring business analysts can develop the skills needed to excel in this dynamic field.
FAQ
To become a business analyst, follow a clear career path combining education and practical training. Start with a degree in business administration or a related field, then enroll in courses in this program to build skills in data analysis, process modeling, and project management. Completing a business analyst certification or specialized diploma can validate your expertise and help you stand out in the job market.
The job outlook for business analysts is strong, with numerous job openings expected due to the growing need for data-driven decision-making. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment projections indicate a faster-than-average growth rate over the next decade.
Business analysts commonly use management software (like Jira or Trello), data analytics tools (such as Excel, SQL, or Python), business intelligence platforms (like Power BI or Tableau), software development tools (e.g., UML, Agile frameworks), and business systems (such as ERP or CRM solutions).
The job description of a business analyst role is partly technical; they need to understand data, systems, and tools—but it is not as deeply technical as a developer or engineer. Their work blends technical skills (data analysis, software tools, system knowledge) with business skills (communication, strategy, process improvement).