12 BI Analyst Skills: Definition and Examples

The job of a BI analyst is to help organizations make better decisions by providing them with accurate and timely data. To do this, BI analysts need a combination of technical and soft skills. Technical skills include the ability to use data mining, modeling, and reporting tools, as well as SQL. Soft skills include the ability to communicate effectively and work well with others. To be successful, BI analysts must be able to understand the business they’re working in, as well as the data they’re working with.

SQL

SQL is a database query language that allows you to select, insert, update, and delete data from a database. It is the most commonly used database language and is essential for any BI analyst.

Data analysis

Data analysis is a process of inspecting, cleansing, transforming, and modeling data with the goal of discovering useful information, suggesting conclusions, and supporting decision-making.

As a BI analyst, you need strong data analysis skills to be able to understand and make sense of the large amounts of data that your company collects. You will need to be able to identify trends and patterns in the data, and then use this information to help improve business decisions.

Data visualization

Data visualization is a way of representing data in a graphical format. It can be used to help communicate data to people who are not familiar with working with data, or to help people see patterns and trends in data that they might not be able to see otherwise.

Business intelligence

Business intelligence is a term that refers to various technologies, processes, and practices used to collect, store, analyze, and provide access to data that can be used to improve business decision making.

The need for business intelligence arises from the fact that organizations have increasingly large amounts of data available to them, but lack the ability to effectively use this data to improve decision making. Business intelligence provides a way to turn this data into actionable information.

There are many different components to business intelligence, but some of the most important include data warehousing, data mining, and OLAP (online analytical processing).

Reporting

The ability to produce accurate and insightful reports is essential for any business intelligence (BI) analyst. A BI analyst must be able to understand the data that they are working with, as well as the needs of their audience, in order to create reports that are both informative and useful.

Dashboards

A dashboard is a graphical way to display data, usually in the form of charts and graphs. It is a useful tool for BI analysts because it allows them to quickly see patterns and trends in the data.

Scorecards

A scorecard is a performance measurement tool that can be used to track and monitor progress towards specific objectives. Scorecards can be used to track progress in any area, but they are particularly useful for tracking progress towards strategic objectives.

The main reason to use a scorecard is to help ensure that an organization is making progress towards its objectives. A scorecard can help to identify areas where progress is being made and areas where more work is needed. Additionally, scorecards can be used to track trends over time, which can help to identify patterns and areas of improvement.

KPI's

A Key Performance Indicator (KPI) is a metric used to measure progress towards a specific goal. In business, KPIs are often used to track progress towards strategic objectives. For example, a company might track KPIs such as revenue growth, customer satisfaction levels, or operational efficiency.

As a BI Analyst, you will need to be able to identify and track KPIs in order to measure the success of your organization's business objectives. This skill is important because it allows you to effectively communicate the progress of your organization's goals to stakeholders.

Metrics

A metric is a quantifiable measure that is used to track and assess the performance of a business process or activity. BI analysts need this skill in order to be able to effectively communicate the results of their analysis to decision-makers.

OLAP

OLAP is a type of database technology that is designed for fast, interactive analysis of large data sets. It is often used by business intelligence (BI) applications to allow users to quickly analyze data from multiple perspectives.

ETL

ETL stands for Extract, Transform, and Load. It is a process that is used to move data from one place to another. This can be used to move data from a database to a file, or from one database to another. ETL can also be used to transform data before it is loaded into a new system.

Data mining

Data mining is a process of extracting valuable information from large data sets. It is used to discover patterns and trends in data that can be used to make predictions. BI analysts need data mining skills to be able to effectively analyze data and find useful information that can be used to make business decisions.

How to improve bi analyst skills

Data is becoming increasingly important in the business world, and as a result, the demand for skilled BI analysts is on the rise. If you’re looking to improve your skills as a BI analyst, here are a few tips to help you get started:

1. Understand the business.

The first step to becoming a successful BI analyst is to understand the business you’re working in. What are the company’s goals? What are the key areas of focus? What are the pain points? By understanding the business, you’ll be able to more effectively identify opportunities for improvement and make recommendations that have a real impact.

2. Know your data.

As a BI analyst, it’s important that you have a strong understanding of the data you’re working with. Where does it come from? How is it structured? What do the different fields mean? This knowledge will be essential in helping you effectively analyze and interpret the data.

3. Be analytical.

Of course, being analytical is one of the most important skills for any BI analyst. You need to be able to take large amounts of data and break it down into smaller, manageable pieces. Then, you need to be able to identify patterns and relationships within that data. This requires both critical thinking and creative thinking skills.

4. Communicate effectively.

Another important skill for BI analysts is effective communication. You need to be able to clearly explain your findings to those who may not be as familiar with the data or the analysis process. Additionally, you need to be able to present your recommendations in a way that is clear and actionable. Strong communication skills will help you build buy-in for your ideas and ensure that they are implemented successfully.

5. Stay up-to-date on trends and technologies.

The world of data is constantly changing, so it’s important that BI analysts stay up-to-date on trends and technologies. New tools and techniques are always emerging, so it’s important to stay abreast of these developments in order to be able to effectively use them in your work. Additionally, keeping up with trends will help you identify new opportunities for improving business processes through data analysis.

How to highlight bi analyst skills

As a BI Analyst, you will want to highlight your skills in data analysis, visualization, and presentation. You should also emphasize your ability to work with stakeholders to understand their needs and requirements. Additionally, highlighting your project management skills will show that you are able to lead and oversee BI projects from start to finish.

On a resume

In order to highlight your skills as a BI Analyst on your resume, you should include a detailed description of your experience working with data and analytics. You should also highlight any specific software or programming languages that you are proficient in. Additionally, you should list any relevant coursework or training that you have completed in the field of data analysis.

In a cover letter

In your cover letter, you will want to highlight your skills as a BI Analyst. You should detail your experience working with data and analytics, as well as your ability to communicate findings to stakeholders. Be sure to emphasize your ability to work independently and drive business results.

During an interview

As a BI Analyst, you will want to highlight your skills in data analysis, data visualization, and presentation during your interview. You should be able to demonstrate your ability to take data and turn it into insights that can be used to make decisions. Be sure to have examples of your work ready to show the interviewer.