Technical Skills for a Business Analyst

Author: Victor Evans

Technical skills are important for business analysts. Technical and business abilities must be combined in order for business analysts to analyze data effectively, spot trends, and offer insightful information that can help with decision-making.

As a business analyst at Prilient Information Technologies, one of the most important lessons I've learned is the value of good communication. In order to bridge the gap between different stakeholders, including clients, project managers, and development teams, clear and concise communication is important.

Business analysts use technologies in a variety of crucial contexts, including collaboration, requirement elicitation, project management, use case analysis, workflow management, and prototype development.

Business analysts have several tools for data visualization that can help them communicate with stakeholders. The choice of data visualization tool depends on your specific requirements, budget, and expertise. These following tools are using for data visualization

Technical skills and analytical skills should be combined when working as a business analyst.

The following technical skills and abilities are helpful for a business analyst using

  1. Power BI:

Business intelligence is carried out using the data visualization tool Microsoft Power BI. Business analysts will design and use Power BI.Multiple data sources can be connected using the Power BI tool. This tool obtains information from the following sources:

  • Excel Workbook

  • Power BI datasets

  • Dataflows

  • Dataverse

  • SQL server

  • Analysis service

  • Text CSV

  • Web

  • Odata feed

  • Blank query

  • Json

  • PDF

Power BI has significant importance for a business analyst.

Data Visualization : Power BI allows business analysts to transform complicated data into visualizations and reports. This feature helps Power BI present data in a clear format, enabling stakeholders to make informed decisions quickly.

Transformation and integration of data: Business analysts generally work with data from many sources, such as databases, spreadsheets. Power BI offers balanced data integration capabilities, it allows analysts to connect multiple data sources, transform data, and also create integrated datasets for analysis in Power BI. This well managed data preparation saves time and ensures data accuracy.

Sharing and Collaboration : Power Data collaborates with business analysts, stakeholders, businesses, and decision-makers, publishing and sharing in an easy way. Business analysts publish their reports and dashboards on the Power BI service. Business analysts can directly share their dashboards and reports with their stakeholders and also publish them on Power BI, so stakeholders can check on Power BI.

  1. Tableau :

Tableau is an analytics platform that helps individuals and organizations manage their data, revolutionizing the way we use data to solve problems.

An application for business intelligence named Tableau allows us to visually analyze raw data by presenting graphs, reports, etc.

Business analysts can use the robust data visualization and business intelligence platform Tableau. Tableau is a tool that is simple to use, efficient, and has interesting yet simple-to-understand visualizations. Tableau allows users to analyze and show data in an easy and understandable way.

Data visualization: charts, graphs, maps, dashboards, and other visualization choices are all available in Tableau. In order to effectively analyze data, spot patterns, and communicate findings, business analysts can quickly and easily generate interactive and visually appealing visualizations. Without the need for intricate scripting, creating engaging visualizations is simple with Tableau's drag-and-drop interface.

Data Analysis and Data Exploration: Business analysts can conduct in-depth data exploration and analysis using Tableau. Using Tableau's built-in functions, they may connect to many data sources, integrate and transform data, and create calculated fields and metrics. In order to obtain insights and find answers to business issues, analysts can use filters, drill down into particular dimensions, and do ad-hoc research.

  1. SQL :

Business analysts need to be proficient in SQL (structured query language). It is an important technical skill, since it allows them to effectively interact with and analyze data stored in relational databases.

Data Extraction: Business analysts can write queries in SQL to retrieve data from databases. To extract pertinent data for analysis, they might specify the tables, columns, and conditions. With the use of SQL's advanced filtering features, analysts are able to select specific groups of data based on variables like date periods, customer segments, or product categories.

Data preparation and cleaning: Business analysts frequently work with confusing or contradictory data. Data cleansing and processing tools, functions are provided by SQL. SQL maintains data quality and consistency for analysis, analysts can eliminate duplicates, handle missing values, convert data types, and apply data transformations.

Data Manipulation : Business analysts can manipulate the information obtained in a variety of ways using SQL. They are able to combine data to produce metrics and summaries of information by using functions like SUM, COUNT, AVG, and GROUP BY. SQL has the ability to combine data from multiple sources, join data from many tables, and change data using functions and expressions.

  1. Python :

A variety of applications, including business analytics, can be made with the help of Python, which is a technical skill and an efficient programming language. Python is an adaptable programming language that has gained popularity among business analysts due to its comprehensive data analysis, manipulation, and visualization abilities.

Data Visualisation : Popular libraries like Matplotlib and Seaborn, which have powerful visualization capabilities, are available in Python. Business analysts can create a variety of graphs, charts, and plots using these libraries in order to effectively communicate insights and show data visually. Analysts can produce engaging and dynamic visualizations because of the flexibility and customization options provided by Python's visualization modules.

Machine Learning and Predictive Analytics: Python has emerged as a top language for predictive analytics and machine learning. Business analysts may create predictive models, perform clustering, classification, regression, and other advanced analytics tasks using these libraries' extensive range of machine learning techniques and tools. Analysts can find patterns, spot trends, and anticipate outcomes through Python's machine learning capabilities.

Conclusion :

Business analysts have the necessary data visualization, subject-matter expertise, and communication abilities. Business analysts will be able to flourish in their professions and contribute to data-driven decision-making inside organizations if they possess proficiency in tools and technologies including SQL, Python, and Tableau, as well as knowledge of statistical analysis and project management.