What is a Business Intelligence Analyst? 

(A Guide to a Successful Career)

IoT-based sensors, an ever-growing internet user population, and a dramatic uptick in social media engagements are all contributing to a plethora of new possibilities for organizations to collect vast quantities of data. In today’s information age, many analysts believe that data is the “new oil” that drives organizational efficiency and boosts performance, profits, and user experiences. Businesses can’t make data-driven, well-informed decisions without first being able to examine their data and draw useful conclusions. Business Intelligence (BI) is receiving more attention due to the growing requirement to exploit data to achieve strategic objectives.

Data processing tools and technologies, such as those used for data visualization, data modeling, decision support, database administration, and data warehousing, are all part of business intelligence. Recent years have seen extensive acceptance of Business Intelligence across various industries thanks to the platform’s capacity to allow intelligent decision-making, which speeds process enhancements, increases productivity, and enhances the end-user experience.

Studies by Gartner, Inc., a global research and consultancy group, and the US Bureau of Labor Statistics show that the need for business intelligence specialists is on the rise due to the growing interest in BI. Due to the increasing importance of business intelligence analyst positions, there is a serious scarcity of qualified BI analysts worldwide. Not ideal for businesses, but great news for those who want to break into the dynamic Business Intelligence industry thanks to the abundance of job openings created by the severe shortage of qualified candidates. If you’re interested in a career as a business intelligence analyst, you’ll find all the resources you need here.

What is a Business Intelligence Analyst?

In order to make sense of the vast amounts of data presently available, businesses need business intelligence analysts. Having a good knowledge of both business and IT, business intelligence analysts are able to gather and analyze data to offer growth ideas for a company. After a business intelligence analyst has made suggestions for new technology, they are often asked to train their coworkers and management on how to use the new tools.

What are the Competencies of a Business Intelligence Analyst? (Roles and Responsibilities)

The following are examples of some of the most important tasks performed by a business intelligence analyst:

• Maintaining and reporting on the defined areas in a regular manner.
• Helping organizations with data solution development.
• Forming reports, from high-level dashboards to more granular ones for managers and supervisors.
• Verification of report data and introduction to users.
• Implement data audits and enterprise-wide data solutions.
• Incorporates and encourages both internal and external audits.

What Qualifications Must One Possess to Become a Business Intelligence Analyst?

• Business Skills

A bachelor’s degree in finance, IT, stats, or data analysis plus two to three years of relevant work experience are typical requirements for a position as a BI Professional.

• Technical Skills

Knowledge of one or more business intelligence tools like Tableau, Birst, or comparable products is highly preferred. In addition, having the experience of more than a year with SQL technologies like SSIS, SSRS, and SQL Server, and more than three years of skill with Microsoft Office, focusing on Excel and Access. would be of great help!

What makes Business Intelligence such a Lucrative Field?

Firms increasingly rely on business intelligence (BI) solutions to maintain a competitive edge to provide a comprehensive overview of all relevant data. After all, current adoption rates for BI tools hover around 50%, with projected growth in the near future.

However, individuals who haven’t chosen a tool yet or are merely curious about BI may find it challenging to grasp the concept. A firm’s efficiency and bottom line can benefit greatly from the insights provided by a business intelligence analyst who helps the organization make better use of the data it already collects. By efficiently querying databases, they comb through mountains of data, find patterns, and write reports that may be used to make decisions for a company.

Future Business Intelligence Opportunities and Scope in 2022

Business Intelligence is the process of gathering, analyzing, and displaying data for the purpose of improving business choices. Improving the company’s processes, plans, and procedures is a mental exercise that can’t be automated. The commercial sector has recently come to appreciate business intelligence’s true value and, as a result, is prepared to spend heavily on acquiring qualified analysts. The use of Business Intelligence can be attributed to a number of factors, including an increasingly aware customer base, stringent government and industry regulations, and a rapidly expanding market. As a result, operations, processes, and competency have vastly improved. When gathering information about the past, BI plays a significant role in questioning, reporting, and answering queries.

The field of BI is undoubtedly expanding rapidly. Many businesses are putting resources into building out their business development departments to compete more effectively. As a company grows, so does the need for skilled workers who can mine that data for insights and make informed recommendations. Even so, it’s a great moment to be a business intelligence professional and work for a data-driven organization since it’s becoming increasingly clear that data is the future. Take advantage of the data revolution and boost your career.

Start a Successful Business Intelligence Analyst Career in Five Easy Steps:

• Acquire a Bachelor’s Degree

Degree programs in data science, computer science, information systems, business administration, economics, engineering, and related fields are all good options for undergraduates interested in learning more about how businesses and organizations function. Before entering the workforce, you are highly recommended to take courses in data mining, database design, data architecture, data visualization, and other related subjects. In addition, you should be proficient in Excel and SQL before you graduate.

• Gain Entry-level Work Experience by Completing an Internship

If a business intelligence analyst does not have work experience but has other qualifications, such as a Master of Business Administration, they may be hired by some companies. An internship in the financial sector is an excellent way to get your foot in the door and gain exposure to the inner workings of a business, which is a great foundation for a successful career.

Think about working in the field of data analysis or business analysis once you graduate, or even as a data report writer. Job duties may include SQL querying, data modeling and analysis, and project scope definition and management. These activities will help you make important connections in the field and gain insight into the full scope of the projects that a business intelligence analyst often works on.

• Get a Professional Certification 

The Microsoft Certified: Data Analyst Associate credential is the gold standard for business intelligence analysts. This credential demonstrates your proficiency in designing and implementing data-driven solutions using SQL. Business solution design, data warehouse and model implementation, and SQL database querying are all on the exam’s syllabus. It’s also a good idea to obtain certification inBusiness Intelligence applications such as Tableau.

• Start a Career as a Business Intelligence Analyst

Business intelligence analyst is not typically entry-level; however, some employers may be willing to overlook a lack of experience in exchange for an advanced degree. You can apply for business intelligence analyst jobs if you have acquired the essential abilities, work experience, and professional certifications. You should have at least four or five years of professional experience; however, eight years of experience is preferred for some positions. You should also have at least one to two years of managerial experience under your belt since business intelligence analysts frequently take on managerial roles such as project managers.

• Pursue an Advanced Degree

However, candidates with appropriate work experience and professional credentials are often considered even if they lack an MBA for this position. You can also pursue a master’s degree in the field you wish to specialize in, such as computer technology or business.

Top Trending and Fastest-growing Career Opportunities in Business Intelligence

See below for a list of some of the most popular and rapidly expanding business intelligence careers. Let’s get into business intelligence job opportunities now.

• Business Intelligence Analyst

For a company to boost productivity and profits, a business intelligence analyst must turn the information that has previously been gathered into actionable insights. Through reports and the discovery of trends, they analyze massive amounts of data to discover useful information for businesses. The business intelligence (BI) analyst field is promising. They work together across departments in teams to promote the use of BI tools and manage live product demos of BI software.

• Business Intelligence Project Manager

It is the product manager’s job to define success for a product by taking into account both the immediate needs of customers and the company’s longer-term goals. Data warehouse, portal, and application developers often work with in-house groups. Also, they find holes in the business and figure out how to fill them. This position also calls for a strong inclination toward function and structure and highly persuasive communication across various stakeholders.

• Business Intelligence Developer

This person is an engineer responsible for the design, implementation, and upkeep of business intelligence (BI) user interface components such as query tools, ad hoc reporting, interactive dashboards, data visualization, and data modeling tools. Developers of business intelligence (BI) produce effective solutions that meet the needs of their customers. Plus, they provide ETL to aid in data integration requirements. Database applications in Oracle, DB2 or SQL Server are also under the purview of a BI developer.

• Business Intelligence Administrator

This is the perfect field for those who enjoy learning about other industries and helping them organize their data. They also manage crucial business data associated with infrastructure, system architecture, software, and hardware. Additionally, they must compile the information into generic and specific reports.

• Business Intelligence Consultant

These experts aid in the development of corporate strategy and policy from within the organization. A better BI road map is planned after an assessment of current data and analytics solutions. Consulting firms specializing in business intelligence teach companies advanced techniques for handling large amounts of data. In addition, consultants aid businesses in increasing productivity by upgrading software or introducing new technologies.

Find the Best Professional Certificate Program in Business Analysis

A business analyst is someone who helps businesses find technical answers to their difficulties. You’ll be responsible for defining, assessing, and documenting needs in this position. Business analyst training will provide you with the technical skills necessary for success in this field. Since a Business Analyst’s primary focus in an IT setting is on technical matters, the first section of this course is dedicated to covering the fundamentals of that discipline.

You may get a head start on your career as a business intelligence analyst by enrolling in a Certified business intelligence analyst course offered by Ohio Computer Academy. The nice aspect is that your resume will also benefit from this certification. In addition, we hope for the best for you professionally.