12 Business Analyst Skills: Definition and Examples

By ResumeCat Editorial Team
Updated June 7, 2023

The business analyst role is constantly evolving, and with that, the skills required to be a successful business analyst. Here are 12 essential business analyst skills, with definitions, that will help you stay ahead of the curve.

Business analysis

Business analysis is the process of identifying business needs and requirements and then determining solutions to business problems. It involves understanding how businesses operate, how they are structured, what their goals are, and how they can be improved.

As a business analyst, you will need to be able to understand the needs of a business and then find ways to improve the efficiency of that business. This may involve developing new processes or redesigning existing ones. You will also need to be able to communicate effectively with stakeholders in order to ensure that they understand the proposed changes and how they will benefit the business.

Requirements gathering

Requirements gathering is the process of identifying and documenting the requirements for a software system. This is typically done by interviewing stakeholders and users, and then creating a requirements document that outlines the goals and objectives of the system.

Requirements gathering is important because it helps to ensure that the final software product will meet the needs of the stakeholders and users. Without a clear understanding of the requirements, it would be difficult to create a system that meets everyone's needs.

Process improvement

Process improvement is the systematic process of identifying opportunities to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of your business processes. It can be used to improve any type of process, from simple daily tasks to complex business operations. By improving your processes, you can increase productivity, reduce costs, and improve quality and customer satisfaction.

Data analysis

Data analysis is the process of examining data in order to draw conclusions about that data. This can be done in order to find trends or patterns, to make predictions, or to simply understand the data better. Business analysts need this skill in order to be able to understand and make use of the data they are given.

Business process modeling

Business process modeling is the process of creating a model that depicts the steps in a business process. This is typically done in order to improve the efficiency of the process or to document it for future reference.

Business requirements documentation

Business requirements documentation is a written description of what a business needs in order to achieve its goals. It is used to communicate the business' vision and objectives to stakeholders, and to guide the development of the system or solution.

Functional specifications documentation

Functional specifications documentation is a document that outlines the specific functionality of a system, application, or component. It is typically created by business analysts during the requirements gathering phase of a project. Functional specifications are used to communicate the business requirements to the development team and to ensure that all stakeholders have a clear understanding of what the system will do.

Use case development

Use case development is the process of identifying and documenting the steps that a user takes to complete a task using a software system. This is important for business analysts because it helps them understand the user's needs and how the software can be used to meet those needs.

Gap analysis

Gap analysis is the process of identifying the difference between where a business is currently and where it wants to be in the future. This process can help businesses to identify areas where they need to improve in order to reach their goals.

As-is and To-be Analysis

As-is and To-be analysis is a process of identifying the current state of a system or business (As-is) and then determining what the desired state should be (To-be). This process can be used to improve processes, systems, or businesses. It can help to identify gaps and areas for improvement, and can be used to develop plans for how to achieve the desired state.

Stakeholder management

Stakeholder management is the process of identifying, assessing, and managing the expectations and needs of people who have a vested interest in your project or organization. It's important to do this because stakeholders can have a major impact on the success or failure of your project.

There are a few key skills you need for effective stakeholder management:

1. Communication: You need to be able to communicate clearly and concisely with stakeholders. This includes being able to listen to their concerns and explain your plans in a way that they can understand.

2. negotiation: You need to be able to negotiate with stakeholders to get them on board with your plans. This may involve compromise, but it's important to remember that you're ultimately trying to achieve the best possible outcome for your project.

3. conflict resolution: There will inevitably be some conflict between stakeholders. It's important to be able to resolve these conflicts in a constructive way that doesn't damage relationships or jeopardize the success of the project.

Business process reengineering

Business process reengineering is the process of redesigning business processes to improve efficiency and effectiveness. This may involve changes to organizational structure, job roles, technology, or processes. Business analysts may be involved in business process reengineering projects to help identify opportunities for improvement and to help develop and implement the new processes.

How to improve business analyst skills

As the business analyst, you are responsible for improving business efficiency and effectiveness by analyzing business processes and recommending solutions. In order to be successful in your role, you must continuously develop and sharpen your skills. Here are some tips on how to improve your business analyst skills:

1. Keep up with the latest trends and technologies

The business world is constantly changing and evolving, so it’s important to keep up with the latest trends and technologies. This will help you identify opportunities for improvement and make better recommendations to your clients or employer. You can stay up-to-date by reading industry publications, attending conferences, or taking online courses.

2. Develop strong analytical skills

As a business analyst, you need to have strong analytical skills in order to effectively analyze data and identify problems or issues. You can improve your analytical skills by practicing data analysis techniques, such as creating Excel spreadsheets or using data visualization tools.

3. Improve your communication skills

Communication is key in any job, but it’s especially important for business analysts since they need to be able to clearly explain their findings and recommendations to others. If you want to improve your communication skills, try attending workshops or taking public speaking classes.

4. Build your project management skills

Project management is another important skill for business analysts since they often need to manage projects from start to finish. If you want to improve your project management skills, consider taking a course or certification program.

How to highlight business analyst skills

As a business analyst, you need to be able to identify and assess opportunities, as well as define and implement solutions. You should also be able to effectively communicate with stakeholders in order to ensure that they are kept up-to-date with progress and that their expectations are managed. Furthermore, it is important that you have strong analytical and problem-solving skills in order to be able to identify issues and recommend solutions.

On a resume

As a Business Analyst, you will want to highlight your skills in data analysis, process improvement, and stakeholder management. Your resume should detail your experience working with teams to identify business needs and requirements, as well as your ability to create detailed documentation. Be sure to showcase your skills in data visualization and presentation, as well as your ability to effectively communicate with stakeholders of all levels.

In a cover letter

In your cover letter, be sure to highlight your skills as a Business Analyst. Include your experience working with data and analytics, as well as your ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders. Be sure to detail how you can add value to the organization and help them achieve their goals.

During an interview

When interviewing for a Business Analyst role, be sure to highlight your skills in data analysis, process improvement, and stakeholder management. Discuss how you have used these skills to drive business results in your previous roles. Provide specific examples of how you have identified opportunities for improvement and implemented solutions that delivered value to the organization. Demonstrate your ability to effectively communicate with stakeholders at all levels and across functions to ensure everyone is aligned on the goals and objectives.