What skills does a business analyst need?

A business analyst needs 25 essential skills including digital data processing, business analysis, data visualisation software, risk management, market research. Core competencies include Developing People, Problem Solving, Learning Agility.

Will AI replace business analyst jobs?

The AI disruption score for business analyst is 80/100 (very high risk). Some tasks may be automated but the role will evolve rather than disappear entirely.

Financial ServicesBusiness and administration professionalsISCO 2421

business analyst

Business analysts research and understand the strategic position of businesses and companies in relation to their markets and their stakeholders. They analyse and present their views on how the company, from many perspectives, can improve its strategic position and internal corporate structure. They assess needs for change, communication methods, technology, IT tools, new standards and certifications.

About business analyst

As a business analyst, you will play a crucial strategic role in helping organizations understand their competitive position and identify opportunities for improvement and growth. Your work involves conducting in-depth analysis of business operations, market dynamics, and organizational structure to provide actionable insights and recommendations. You will assess the need for organizational change, evaluate technology solutions, and identify gaps in processes, systems, and compliance standards. Working with stakeholders across all levels of the organization, you will document requirements, analyze financial and operational data, and present findings through clear business communication. This role demands strong analytical thinking, technical proficiency with data tools, and the ability to translate complex information into strategic recommendations. Poland's rapidly evolving business landscape, with increasing digital transformation and competitive pressures, creates strong demand for skilled business analysts who can drive organizational improvement.

Key Work Functions

Core areas of responsibility for a business analyst.

Business Analysis and Research

Conduct comprehensive business analysis to understand strategic position relative to markets and stakeholders
Perform market research and competitive analysis to identify market trends and opportunities
Analyze internal factors of companies including organizational structure, processes, and capabilities
Apply scientific research methodology to ensure rigorous and objective analysis

Data Analysis and Interpretation

Process and analyze digital data from multiple sources using business analytics tools
Interpret financial statements and analyze financial performance of companies
Conduct quantitative research and statistical analysis to support business recommendations
Create data visualizations to present complex information in clear, actionable formats

Change Management and Improvement Recommendations

Assess needs for organizational change and identify undetected organizational needs
Apply change management principles to recommend and implement organizational improvements
Advise on efficiency improvements and operational optimization strategies
Analyze business plans and provide recommendations for strategic direction

Technology and Standards Assessment

Assess technology requirements and evaluate IT tools and solutions for organizational needs
Evaluate management systems standards and compliance requirements
Review new standards and certifications relevant to the industry and organization
Use business simulation tools to test scenarios and predict outcomes

Communication and Documentation

Engage in management consulting activities providing strategic guidance to leadership
Develop clear business communication strategies for presenting findings and recommendations
Document requirements, findings, and recommendations in detailed reports and presentations

Do You Have the Skills for This Role?

Core competency requirements inferred from the occupation's skill profile. Take the free assessment to see how you match.

Must-Have Skills (Advanced)

Developing PeopleAdvanced

Supporting Skills

Problem SolvingIntermediate

Learning AgilityIntermediate

Transdisciplinary ThinkingIntermediate

CollaborationIntermediate

Decision MakingIntermediate

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (25)

digital data processingdigital data processingIdentify, locate, retrieve, store, organise and analyse digital information, judging its relevance and purpose.business analysisbusiness analysisThe research field which addresses the identification of business needs and problems and the determination of the solutions that would mitigate or prevent the smooth functioning of a business. Busines...data visualisation softwaredata visualisation softwareA computer tool or application that creates a graphical and visual representation of data, allowing a better understanding and interpretation of complex data through visual elements such as maps, char...risk managementrisk managementThe process of identifying, assessing, and prioritising of all types of risks and where they could come from, such as natural causes, legal changes, or uncertainty in any given context, and the method...market researchmarket researchThe processes, techniques, and purposes comprised in the first step for developing marketing strategies such as the collection of information about customers and the definition of segments and targets...business analyticsbusiness analyticsThe disciplines and technologies for solving business problems through employing quantitative methods such as data analysis and statistical models.business communicationbusiness communicationThe process of effectively communicating within the workplace and to external bodies to achieve organisational goals.management consultingmanagement consultingThe process of giving paid advice with the aim of improving businesses performance and promote their growth.scientific research methodologyscientific research methodologyThe theoretical methodology used in scientific research involving doing background research, constructing an hypothesis, testing it, analysing data and concluding the results.management systems standardsmanagement systems standardsThe standards that improve the performance of an organisation by outlining activities that helps to achieve goals and objectives. They also help to create an organisational culture that provides groun...perform business analysisperform business analysisEvaluate the condition of a business on its own and in relation to the competitive business domain, performing research, placing data in context of the business' needs and determining areas of opportu...apply change managementapply change managementManage development within an organisation by anticipating changes and making managerial decisions to ensure that the members involved are as less disturbed as possible.identify undetected organisational needsidentify undetected organisational needsUse the collected input and information from interviewing stakeholders and analysing organisational documents in order to detect unseen needs and improvements that would support the development of the...use business simulation toolsuse business simulation toolsEmploy software to perform simulations to improve business skills such as business acumen, financial and market analysis and decision making.analyse business plansanalyse business plansAnalyse the formal statements from businesses which outline their business goals and the strategies they set in place to meet them, in order to assess the feasibility of the plan and verify the busine...interpret financial statementsinterpret financial statementsRead, understand, and interpret the key lines and indicators in financial statements. Extract the most important information from financial statements depending on the needs and integrate this informa...conduct quantitative researchconduct quantitative researchExecute a systematic empirical investigation of observable phenomena via statistical, mathematical or computational techniques.analyse financial performance of a companyanalyse financial performance of a companyAnalyse the performance of the company in financial matters in order to identify improvement actions that could increase profit, based on accounts, records, financial statements and external informati...advise on efficiency improvementsadvise on efficiency improvementsAnalyse information and details of processes and products in order to advise on possible efficiency improvements that could be implemented and would signify a better use of resources.analyse internal factors of companiesanalyse internal factors of companiesResearch and understand various internal factors that influence the operation of companies such as its culture, strategic foundation, products, prices, and available resources.analyse external factors of companiesanalyse external factors of companiesPerform research and analysis of the external factor pertaining to companies such as consumers, position in the market, competitors, and political situation.build business relationshipsbuild business relationshipsEstablish a positive, long-term relationship between organisations and interested third parties such as suppliers, distributors, shareholders and other stakeholders in order to inform them of the orga...align efforts towards business developmentalign efforts towards business developmentSynchronise the efforts, plans, strategies, and actions carried out in departments of companies towards the growth of business and its turnover. Keep business development as the ultimate outcome of an...liaise with managersliaise with managersLiaise with managers of other departments ensuring effective service and communication, i.e. sales, planning, purchasing, trading, distribution and technical.make strategic business decisionsmake strategic business decisionsAnalyse business information and consult directors for decision making purposes in a varied array of aspects affecting the prospect, productivity and sustainable operation of a company. Consider the o...

Optional (26)

business intelligencebusiness intelligenceThe tools used to transform large amounts of raw data into relevant and helpful business information.sustainable manufacturingsustainable manufacturingThe generation of manufactured products using efficient and sustainable production process that enhances the conservation of natural and energy resources while minimizing negative environmental impact...business lawbusiness lawThe field of law concerned with the trade and commerce activities of businesses and private persons and their legal interactions. This relates to numerous legal disciplines, including tax and employme...organisational policiesorganisational policiesThe policies to achieve set of goals and targets regarding the development and maintenance of an organisation.investment bankinginvestment bankingThe branch of banking that provides services of capital raising and mergers and acquisitions (M&A).financial statementsfinancial statementsThe set of financial records disclosing the financial position of a company at the end of a set period or of the accounting year. The financial statements consisting of five parts which are the statem...market entry strategiesmarket entry strategiesThe ways to enter a new market and their implications, namely; exporting via representatives, franchising to third parties, collaborating joint ventures, and opening of fully-owned subsidiaries and fl...quality standardsquality standardsThe national and international requirements, specifications and guidelines to ensure that products, services and processes are of good quality and fit for purpose.business process modellingbusiness process modellingThe tools, methods and notations such as Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN) and Business Process Execution Language (BPEL), used to describe and analyse the characteristics of a business proce...business strategy conceptsbusiness strategy conceptsThe terminology related to the design and implementation of major trends and aims which are taken by an organisation's executives, while keeping in mind its resources, competition and environments.organisational learningorganisational learningThe process for continuous improvement of an organisation through obtaining experience to be used to generate knowledge with the aim of sharing it within the organisation itself.corporate lawcorporate lawThe legal rules that govern how corporate stakeholders (such as shareholders, employees, directors, consumers, etc) interact with one another, and the responsibilities corporations have to their stake...propose ICT solutions to business problemspropose ICT solutions to business problemsSuggest how to solve business issues, using ICT means, so that business processes are improved.advise on risk managementadvise on risk managementProvide advice on risk management policies and prevention strategies and their implementation, being aware of different kinds of risks to a specific organisation.interview peopleinterview peopleInterview people in a range of different circumstances.advise on communication strategiesadvise on communication strategiesProvide companies and organisations with consulting services concerning their internal and external communication plans and their representation, including their presence online. Recommend improvement...advise on financial mattersadvise on financial mattersConsult, advise, and propose solutions with regards to financial management such as acquiring new assets, incurring in investments, and tax efficiency methods.advise client on technical possibilitiesadvise client on technical possibilitiesRecommend technical solutions, including systems, to the client within the framework of a project.report analysis resultsreport analysis resultsProduce research documents or give presentations to report the results of a conducted research and analysis project, indicating the analysis procedures and methods which led to the results, as well as...support implementation of quality management systemssupport implementation of quality management systemsAdvocate the introduction of new business processes to help achieve quality standards, such as the improvement of the organisational structure or the development of new procedures in case of quality d...advise on organisational cultureadvise on organisational cultureAdvise organisations on their internal culture and work environment as experienced by employees, and the factors which may influence the behaviour of employees.define organisational standardsdefine organisational standardsWrite, implement and foster the internal standards of the company as part of the business plans for the operations and levels of performance that the company intends to achieve.shape organisational teams based on competenciesshape organisational teams based on competenciesStudy the profiles of collaborators and decide the best place for directors and collaborators following an strategic mindset and serving to the goals of the company.seek innovation in current practicesseek innovation in current practicesSearch for improvements and present innovative solutions, creativity and alternative thinking to develop new technologies, methods or ideas for and answers to work-related problems.marketing analyticsmarketing analyticsThe set of processes for employing data to improve the effectiveness of marketing activities. It involves analysing metrics such as the Return on Investment (ROI) for identify opportunities of improve...keep updated on the political landscapekeep updated on the political landscapeRead, search, and analyse the political situation of a region as a source of information applicable for different purposes such as information, decision-making, and management, and investments.