Business Analyst Roadmap

A Business Analyst is a Data Science professional who uses the data generated by the business to analyze and forecast the performance of a business, design and manage the creation of new data products, and bridge the gap between business stakeholders and technology teams. If you are aiming for the role of a business analyst and looking for a step-by-step roadmap, this article is for you. In this article, I will take you through a Business Analyst Roadmap with learning resources you can follow to become a Business Analyst.

Business Analyst Roadmap

Here’s a complete step-by-step roadmap you can follow to become a Business Analyst:

1. Step 1: Develop knowledge about the business environment and business models 
2. Step 2: Learn the Fundamentals of Business Analysis 
3. Step 3: Learn Data Analysis techniques for Business Analytics 
4. Step 4: Learn Business Intelligence & Forecasting Techniques 
5. Step 5: Learn Essential Business Analytics Tools 
6. Step 6: Work on Projects

Now let’s go through each step of this Business Analyst roadmap one by one.

Step 1: Develop Knowledge about Business Environment and Business Models

As a Business Analyst, it is essential to have a comprehensive understanding of the business environment and different business models. It involves studying the industry, market dynamics and emerging trends. Additionally, acquiring insights into different business models will help you understand how organizations create and deliver value to their customers while achieving sustainable growth.

Below are some of the best resources you can follow to develop knowledge about the business environment and business models as a Business Analyst:

1. Business Models for Dummies
2. International Business Environment by Coursera
3. Digital Business Models

Step 2: Learn the Fundamentals of Business Analysis

Mastering the fundamentals of business analysis is essential to succeed in this role. This step of the business analyst roadmap involves understanding the basic concepts, methodologies, and techniques used in business analysis.

Below are some of the best resources you can follow to learn the fundamentals of Business Analysis:

1. Business Analytics, 2nd Edition
2. Business Analytics Specialization by Coursera
3. Business Analytics Fundamentals by Udemy

Step 3: Learn Data Analysis techniques for Business Analytics

Data analysis is an essential skill for a business analyst. Understanding data analysis techniques and statistical methods enables you to gain insights and make recommendations based on data. You must learn how to explore and clean data, perform descriptive and inferential analysis, and present results effectively.

Below are some of the best resources you can follow to learn Data Analysis techniques for Business Analytics:

1. Data Analysis Projects by Aman Kharwal
2. Data Science for Business
3. Storytelling with Data

Step 4: Learn Business Intelligence & Forecasting Techniques

Business Intelligence (BI) and forecasting play a valuable role in business analysis. In this step of the Business Analyst roadmap, you need to delve into BI tools, data visualization, and predictive modelling. Learn how to transform raw data into actionable information and use forecasting techniques to anticipate future trends.

Below are some of the best resources you can follow to learn Business Intelligence and Forecasting techniques:

1. Forecasting: Principles and Practice
2. Google Business Intelligence Professional Certificate

Step 5: Learn Essential Business Analytics Tools

Mastery of business analysis tools is crucial for a business analyst. Below are some of the most valuable tools you should learn for the role of a Business Analyst:

1. Microsoft Excel
2. Project Management Tools (such as Asana, Trello, and Jira)
3. Visualization Tools (such as Tableau or PowerBI)
4. Requirements Management Tools (such as Rational RequisitePro and CaliberRM)
5. Data Analysis Tools (such as R or Python, and SQL)

Step 6: Work on Projects

The last step in your Business Analyst roadmap is to gain hands-on experience by working on real-world projects. Engaging in hands-on projects allows you to apply your knowledge, develop critical thinking skills, and showcase your abilities as a business analyst. Look for opportunities to work on group projects, solve business problems, and present your findings as presentations, project reports, or documentation.

Below are some project ideas you can work on as a Business Analyst:

1. Social Media Reach Analysis & Forecasting
2. Retail Price Optimization
3. Supply Chain Analysis
4. Store Profit & Sales Analysis
5. Customer Lifetime Value Analysis

Summary

So below is a complete step-by-step roadmap you can follow to become a Business Analyst:

1. Step 1: Develop Knowledge about the business environment and business models 
2. Step 2: Learn the Fundamentals of Business Analysis 
3. Step 3: Learn Data Analysis techniques for Business Analytics 
4. Step 4: Learn Business Intelligence & Forecasting Techniques 
5. Step 5: Learn Essential Business Analytics Tools 
6. Step 6: Work on Projects

I hope you liked this article on the Business Analyst Roadmap with learning resources. Feel free to ask valuable questions in the comments section below.