Working as a Business Analyst

Job Profile of a Business Analyst

What Does a Business Analyst Do?

A Business Analyst plays a key role within organizations by bridging the gap between business objectives and technological solutions. This professional examines business processes, identifies bottlenecks, and advises on strategic and operational improvements. Through data analysis, process modeling, and stakeholder management, the business analyst helps organizations operate more efficiently, be more customer-focused, and prepare for the future.

Typical Business Analyst Job Profile

While the exact responsibilities may vary depending on the sector or organization, a typical business analyst job profile generally includes the following elements:

• Relevant academic background – For example, in business administration, information management, economics, or industrial engineering.
• Strong analytical skills – Able to understand and translate complex data, processes, and structures into practical recommendations.
• Problem-solving mindset – Creative and pragmatic in finding solutions that align with business goals.
• Excellent communication skills – Able to effectively communicate with stakeholders at different levels, both verbally and in writing.
• Stakeholder management – Experience in aligning departments such as IT, finance, marketing, operations, and executive leadership.
• Knowledge of business processes – Understanding how organizations operate and how processes can be optimized.
• Experience with project-based work – Skilled in project management methodologies such as Agile, Scrum, or PRINCE2.
• Technical skills – Familiar with data modeling and analysis tools like Microsoft Excel, SQL, Power BI, or similar tools.
• IT affinity – Understanding of IT systems, databases, APIs, and integrations is a plus.

Additional Competencies and Soft Skills

In addition to subject matter expertise, the following traits are often essential for a successful business analyst:

• Organizational sensitivity – Able to navigate internal relationships and interests effectively.
• Eagerness to learn – Open to technological developments and process innovations.
• Results-oriented – Focused on achieving measurable improvements.
• Independence and initiative – Proactive in identifying improvement opportunities.

Importance of the Role

The role of a business analyst is becoming increasingly important in an era where digitalization, data-driven decision-making, and customer-centricity are key. Companies that effectively leverage business analysis are better equipped to implement change, reduce risks, and seize opportunities in an increasingly competitive market.

A Day in the Life of a Business Analyst

A Day in the Life of a Business Analyst

A typical workday for a Business Analyst revolves around understanding business needs and translating them into data-driven solutions. The role requires sharp analytical skills, excellent communication, and a solid understanding of both technology and business processes. Below is an example of what such a day might look like.

08:30 – Starting the Day: Emails and Status Updates

The day begins with a cup of coffee and reviewing emails, meeting requests, and updates in project management tools like Jira or Asana. The analyst checks for any new questions or issues raised by the project team or stakeholders. Dashboards are also quickly reviewed to identify any notable anomalies or trends.

09:30 – Stand-up Meeting with the Project Team

During the daily stand-up, the Business Analyst discusses progress with the scrum team: what was done yesterday, what’s planned for today, and are there any blockers? Priorities and dependencies are aligned with developers, testers, and product owners.

10:00 – Stakeholder Interviews

One-on-one interviews follow with internal stakeholders such as marketers, finance managers, or operations leads. The Business Analyst asks targeted questions to uncover business needs. What are the key KPIs? Where are processes breaking down? What insights are missing?

11:30 – Data Analysis and Modeling

Back at the desk, the analyst dives into the data. Using SQL, Excel, or BI tools like Power BI or Tableau, datasets are cleaned, trends identified, and hypotheses tested. Sometimes, it’s necessary to visualize a data model or create a wireframe for a new dashboard.

13:00 – Lunch and Informal Check-ins

Lunchtime offers a moment of relaxation, but often informal conversations with colleagues arise that provide valuable insights for ongoing projects. Occasionally, there’s a brief discussion with the IT department over lunch about data quality or system integrations.

14:00 – Facilitating a Workshop

In the afternoon, the Business Analyst facilitates a workshop with multiple departments. Together, they brainstorm process improvements or desired functionality for a new system. The analyst acts as a connector, ensuring everyone is heard.

15:30 – Documentation and Requirements Writing

After the workshop, the outcomes are translated into concrete business requirements and user stories. The Business Analyst ensures everything is documented clearly, structured, and testable so the development team can work with it.

16:30 – Reporting to Management

At the end of the day, the analyst presents the results of a recent analysis to the management team. With clear visualizations and concise conclusions, he or she advises on strategic decisions, such as improving the customer journey or optimizing inventory management.

17:30 – Reflection and Preparing for Tomorrow

The day ends with a short reflection: what went well, what could be improved? The analyst briefly prepares for the next day’s session and schedules time for further analysis or meetings. Then it’s time to disconnect.

Which tools does a Business Analyst use?

Data Query Tools

Business Analysts use data query tools such as SQL and NoSQL to communicate directly with databases. These tools allow them to ask targeted questions of structured and unstructured datasets. They form the foundation for extracting the data needed for analysis, reporting, and decision-making.

BI & Reporting Tools

To visualize insights and create dashboards, Business Analysts use powerful Business Intelligence tools like Power BI, Tableau, and Qlik Sense. These tools help identify trends, monitor KPIs, and make complex data accessible to various stakeholders within an organization.

Data Analysis Software

Advanced data analysis requires flexible and powerful software. Business Analysts often use R, Python, or Excel. These tools enable them to clean datasets, perform statistical analyses, simulate scenarios, and even develop predictive models.

Excel and Google Sheets

While more advanced tools exist, Excel and Google Sheets remain indispensable in the Business Analyst’s toolkit. They are used daily for building financial models, conducting sensitivity analyses, creating pivot tables, and quickly analyzing smaller datasets.

CRM Software

Business Analysts use Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software such as Salesforce, HubSpot, and Microsoft Dynamics 365 to gain insights into customer behavior, sales funnels, and marketing effectiveness. By analyzing customer interactions, they can make recommendations to optimize customer-centric processes.

ERP Systems

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems like SAP, Oracle, and Microsoft Dynamics are essential for analyzing business processes. Business Analysts use these systems to measure operational efficiency, identify bottlenecks, and propose improvements that contribute to cost savings and process optimization.

Project Management Tools

Project success hinges on good management. Tools such as Jira, Asana, Monday.com, and Trello are often used by Business Analysts to structure tasks, map dependencies, and monitor project progress. They facilitate clear and efficient collaboration within multidisciplinary teams.

Data Warehousing Tools

When working with large volumes of data, Business Analysts rely on modern data warehousing solutions such as Snowflake, Google BigQuery, and Amazon Redshift. These platforms offer scalability, speed, and flexibility—crucial for running complex queries and analyses over millions of rows of data.

Communication and Presentation Tools

Analysis is only valuable if the insights are clearly conveyed. That’s why Business Analysts use presentation tools such as Microsoft PowerPoint, Google Slides, or Prezi to share their findings with stakeholders. Clear visualizations, graphs, and infographics ensure that insights are presented in a comprehensible and persuasive manner.

What does a Business Analyst earn?

The salary of a Business Analyst can vary greatly depending on factors such as experience, location, type of organization (such as government, consultancy, or private sector), and the use of specific analysis tools and methodologies. Business Analysts play a crucial role in translating business needs into data-driven solutions. They serve as the bridge between business and IT and contribute to strategic decision-making. Below is an overview of salary expectations based on different levels of experience.

Entry Level (Junior Business Analyst)

A Junior Business Analyst, often with a bachelor's or master’s degree in Business Administration, Information Science, or Economics, typically earns between €2,800 and €3,500 per month. At this stage, they work under supervision to gather business requirements, perform process analyses, and support reporting. Experience with tools such as SQL, Excel, and Power BI is often desired.

Mid-level (Business Analyst)

A Business Analyst with several years of experience (usually between 3 and 6 years) earns on average between €3,500 and €4,800 per month. At this level, they work independently on project analyses, stakeholder management, and creating functional specifications. Proficiency in tools such as Tableau, Power BI, BPMN software, and methodologies like Agile/Scrum is important.

Senior Level (Senior Business Analyst)

A Senior Business Analyst with more than 6 years of experience can expect a salary between €4,800 and €6,000 per month. These professionals are often involved in strategic decision-making, lead change processes, and act as sparring partners for management and executives. They often coach junior analysts and are skilled in conducting impact analyses and complex data modeling.

Lead Business Analyst / Consultant

A Lead Business Analyst or Consultant with an advisory or leadership role often earns between €6,000 and €7,500 per month, especially within consulting firms or large organizations with multiple stakeholders and complex IT environments. In addition to subject matter expertise, leadership skills, change management knowledge, and experience with enterprise architecture are highly valued.

Location and Sector

Business Analyst salaries are generally higher in the Randstad region compared to other areas, particularly at large financial institutions, consulting firms, and multinationals. In the (semi-)public or non-profit sectors, salaries tend to be slightly lower, but this is often offset by greater job security and work-life balance.

Education and Skills

Business Analysts typically hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree. Key skills include analytical thinking, communication abilities, knowledge of data analysis, and process modeling. Certifications such as CBAP, Agile Business Analyst, or PRINCE2 can contribute to higher salaries. Familiarity with tools like SQL, Power BI, Tableau, Visio, and Jira is often a plus.

How to Become a Business Analyst

Interested in a career as a Business Analyst? This versatile role requires a combination of analytical insight, communication skills, and technical knowledge. Whether you're just starting out or considering a career switch, there are clear steps you can follow to successfully begin your journey as a business analyst.

1. Education: Laying the right foundation

A solid education is often the first step. Consider pursuing a bachelor's or master's degree in business administration, economics, information management, computer science, or a related field. More and more colleges and universities are offering specific tracks or minors focused on business analysis, data analysis, or digital transformation.

2. Certifications: Demonstrating your expertise

Certifications are a powerful way to validate your knowledge and skills, especially if you don’t have years of experience. Popular certifications for aspiring business analysts include:

• Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP) – a recognized certification for experienced analysts.
• PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA) – combines project management with business analysis.
• Agile Analysis Certification (IIBA-AAC) – ideal for analysts working in an agile environment.

3. Practical experience: Learning by doing

Gaining hands-on experience is crucial. Look for internships, traineeships, or project-based assignments where you can work on process analysis, drafting requirements, or improving business operations. Roles such as junior analyst, project assistant, or data analyst can also serve as valuable stepping stones.

4. Technical skills: Understanding tools and data

While not every business analyst needs to be a technical expert, knowledge of tools like SQL, Excel, Power BI, or Tableau is often a plus. Skills in process modeling (such as BPMN) and writing user stories or use cases are also valuable.

5. Soft skills: Communicating and persuading

Business analysts act as bridges between the business and IT. Clear communication, stakeholder management, and problem-solving abilities are essential. Invest in developing your presentation skills and learn how to handle resistance during change processes.

6. Networking: Learning from peers

Join professional networks such as IIBA or PMI, or become part of (online) communities on LinkedIn and Slack. Attend meetups, webinars, and conferences to learn from experienced professionals and connect with potential employers.

7. Keep learning: Stay relevant in a dynamic field

The role of a business analyst is constantly evolving due to changes in technology, data, and customer expectations. Regularly follow courses, webinars, and online training on topics such as design thinking, agile working, data literacy, and digital business.

By following these steps, you’ll develop into a valuable professional who improves business processes with smart, data-driven solutions.

Potential career paths for Business Analysts

As you gain experience and further develop your skills as a business analyst, various interesting career paths become available. This role often serves as the starting point for a versatile career in data, strategy, and business development. Depending on your ambitions and specializations, different directions are possible.

Senior Business Analyst

As a senior business analyst, you play a key role in complex projects. You mentor junior analysts, ensure the quality of analyses, and act as a sparring partner for management. Often, you also take on a more strategic role, participating in organization-wide improvement initiatives, policy recommendations, and change processes.

Business Architect

In the role of business architect, you bridge the gap between business strategy and operational execution. You design blueprints for business processes and advise on the setup of systems, structure, and governance. This position requires deep insight into business models, change management, and technological developments.

Project Manager

Many business analysts progress into the role of project manager. In this role, you're responsible for leading multidisciplinary teams, planning and steering projects, and achieving deadlines and objectives. Your analytical skills are especially valuable when it comes to monitoring progress and risks.

Product Owner or Product Manager

In this role, you represent the voice of the customer and determine the direction of a product or service. You set priorities in the product backlog, align with stakeholders, and work closely with development teams. Business analysts with a passion for innovation and user experience often thrive in this role.

Business Intelligence Analyst

Business intelligence analysts translate data into actionable insights. They develop dashboards, perform in-depth analyses, and advise on KPIs and strategic direction. This role requires analytical precision and knowledge of tools such as Power BI, Tableau, or SQL.

Data Analyst

As a data analyst, you dive deep into datasets to discover trends, patterns, and correlations. You often work with large volumes of data from various sources and support decision-making with substantiated insights. This role requires both technical skills and business acumen.

Business Analysis Consultant

As a consultant, you work for external clients and help organizations solve complex problems. You can position yourself as a generalist or specialize in a specific domain, such as supply chain, customer journeys, digital transformation, or process optimization. The variety of assignments makes this a dynamic path.

Trainer, Coach, or Mentor

With ample experience, you can focus on sharing knowledge. This could involve giving training sessions, developing learning programs, or mentoring junior analysts. This path is particularly suited for those who enjoy educating and inspiring others within the field.

Other Career Advancement Opportunities

Depending on your interests, there are plenty of other directions to explore. Consider roles such as data governance specialist, enterprise architect, change manager, or even CIO. Business analysis provides a solid foundation for many roles where insight, communication, and strategy come together.

Impact and Societal Relevance

The Impact and Social Relevance of a Business Analyst

A Business Analyst plays a crucial role in the success and agility of modern organizations. They serve as the link between day-to-day operations and strategic goals, ensuring that technological solutions closely align with actual business needs. By identifying bottlenecks in processes and offering improvement strategies, they contribute to structural optimization.

Tangible Impact Within Organizations

The contribution of a Business Analyst is often directly measurable. By designing more efficient processes, customer satisfaction can increase, operational costs can decrease, and the quality of products and services can improve. This includes implementing data-driven decision-making, enhancing customer journeys, or redesigning internal workflows. Business Analysts also assist in setting up KPIs and dashboards, giving organizations better control over their performance.

Social Relevance and Economic Value

On a societal level, the Business Analyst holds significant value. By helping companies improve their services, end users—such as consumers, clients, or citizens—benefit from more user-friendly digital tools, faster service, and products that better meet their needs. In sectors like healthcare, government, education, and energy, the recommendations of Business Analysts often lead to improved accessibility, sustainability, or efficiency.

Promoting Sustainability and Innovation

Business Analysts also contribute to sustainable innovation. By analyzing data and examining processes, they help organizations operate more sustainably: reducing waste, using resources more efficiently, and better accounting for impact. Their insights also enable organizations to respond more quickly to societal changes, such as digitalization, legislation, or emerging customer needs.

Strengthening Economic Resilience

By identifying risks and capitalizing on opportunities, Business Analysts help boost the resilience of organizations in rapidly changing markets. They make it possible to make better-informed strategic decisions, leading to increased agility and adaptability. As such, they play a key role in strengthening an organization’s competitive position—and, more broadly, in reinforcing the economy.

In Summary

The role of the Business Analyst goes far beyond analyzing numbers or processes. They are strategic thinkers, change agents, and bridge-builders. Through their work, they contribute to smarter organizations, better services, and a more resilient society.

Case Study: The Role of a Business Analyst

Background

FinCo, a rapidly growing financial services provider, had reached a turning point. Its customer base was expanding quickly, and its service offerings were becoming increasingly diverse. Despite this growth, the organization struggled to efficiently extract valuable insights from customer data. There was a lack of clarity and cohesion, making it difficult to understand customer behavior and respond effectively to customer needs.

The urgency was high: customer interactions needed to be smarter, and services more personal and effective. Only then could FinCo distinguish itself in a competitive market.

The Challenge

FinCo collected vast amounts of customer data every day—from contact moments and purchasing behavior to feedback and product usage. However, this information was stored across multiple systems without integration or structure. There was no central location where all data came together and could be analyzed.

As a result, important patterns and preferences were overlooked, leading to a generic customer experience and poor personalization. Customers didn’t feel truly understood, which led to increased churn and stalled growth.

Approach by the Business Analyst

Jeroen, an experienced Business Analyst, took the initiative to transform this fragmented data environment into a powerful source of insight. He began by mapping out all relevant data sources and developed a plan for data consolidation.

Using advanced analytics techniques and data modeling, he mapped customer behavior. He uncovered hidden trends, such as seasonal usage peaks, preferences for specific channels, and early indicators of customer dissatisfaction. These insights formed the basis for targeted optimizations.

In collaboration with IT and marketing, Jeroen led the implementation of a new CRM system. This system integrated real-time analytics and provided actionable customer insights to sales and service teams. Think of recommendations for cross-selling, personalized communication, and early warnings of potential cancellations.

Result

Thanks to Jeroen’s data-driven approach, FinCo underwent a clear transformation. Customer interactions became more relevant, faster, and more personal. Customer satisfaction visibly increased, as did retention.

Through the new system, employees gained immediate insight into customer needs, enabling more proactive and effective service. Management also benefited from the ability to make faster and better-informed decisions based on up-to-date customer data.

FinCo’s case demonstrates how the contribution of a Business Analyst can make all the difference: from fragmented data to concrete insights and measurable customer value. FinCo not only grew in size but also matured as a data-driven organization.

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