A good business analyst has both hard and soft skills. They’ve taken the right courses, earned the right experiences, but also have some emotional intelligence, critical thinking skills, and problem-solving ability. But what separates an average business analyst from a good one? Here are seven skills every business analyst needs to excel in their career.
Basic skills
There are some pretty important business skills that any stellar employee has. This includes communicating, problem-solving, critical thinking, self-discipline, and punctuality. It also includes some harder skills, like creating specifications, analyzing requirements, creating models, facilitating brainstorming sessions, and using any relevant business intelligence software and analytics program.
Resourceful
Good business analysts know how to find the information they need and know what questions to ask to get it. If they hit a roadblock, they can work around it and involve the right people at the right time.
Committed to growth
A good business analyst knows when they need to learn more or when they need to use a different tool, and then they go after those skills and knowledge. A diverse and wide-ranging set of skills make them more marketable, more productive, and more efficient.
Value consensus and ownership
Good business analysts can help resolve interpersonal conflicts because they know it’s crucial to have everyone agree on a solution before they start going after it. They understand that consensus is more important than a rushed decision that not everyone’s into. Instead, each person needs to feel like they had a hand in deciding what’s to happen next.
Create clarity and buy-in
A good business analyst understands that when people agree to things they don’t really understand, it can create confusion and frustration later on. They want to make sure that everyone’s on the same page and working toward the same goals, so that someone isn’t agreeing to something they’re not totally sure of. When that happens, it can crush morale and breed distrust.
Rely on trust
Business analysts focus on building positive, sustainable relationships instead of getting other people to do what they want. They make sure each person involved feels heard and appreciated, they keep their word, and they don’t make promises they can’t keep. They’re professional, don’t gossip, and keep things confidential when needed.
Manage projects
Though they’re not project managers, they know how to work with them in a way that’s proactive but doesn’t step on anyone’s toes. They know how to meet deadlines and honor commitments and keep everything moving along at the right pace.
A good business analyst is a valuable employee in any company—they navigate through the fog and create structure and stability for the rest of their team. For more tips on becoming a good business analyst, contact our team today.