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Why Should One Become a Business Analyst?
As a business analyst, one has the opportunity to directly impact the success and growth of their organisation. Someone who requires constant challenges to stimulate their mind would thrive as a business analyst as they would be required to consistently come up with new ideas to manage the growth of the business.
As a business analyst, one also gets to have overarching insights into several industries that help them play a pivotal role in any organisation. Due to this, the job of a business analyst comes with a lot of security, as in recent years, their demand has increased exponentially across different industries.
What Are The Duties of a Business Analyst?
Companies may hire business analysts with varying objectives in mind — this could be to expand their business domains, analyse the problems affecting the business and come up with solutions, or other similar requirements. However, irrespective of the reasons, there are some common responsibilities that any business analyst would have to take up. Let us take a look at some of these responsibilities in detail.
- They must carry forward requirement analysis to understand the major needs of the organisation. This would require an in-depth understanding of the goals and vision of the company.
- They must engage with clients and stakeholders regularly to understand any breakdowns and design solutions for them accordingly.
- They must document data findings and build business solutions to support the projects and ensure the clients’ needs are met.
- They must work closely with product and software development teams to design solutions and implement them effectively.
- They must review and manage projects, develop plans, and review performances.
What are The Skills Needed to Become a Business Analyst?
Based on the job description, we can understand that a business analyst needs to have a combination of soft and technical skills to excel in their role. Let us look at some of these skills:
1. Business Awareness
As a business analyst, one must possess a deep understanding of industry domains, finances, operational needs, and other similar factors that would help them gauge the requirements of a business. Beyond this, it is also important for business analysts to have knowledge of methodologies and frameworks that can be implemented for growth and stability such as Six Sigma and Agile Business Analysis.
2. Data Analysis Tools
A business analyst needs to work with big data in order to come up with appropriate solutions for the company. To do so, one must have a strong grasp of tools such as Microsoft Excel and Tableau. Likewise, they must also be familiar with programming languages that would help them track, organise, and analyse data.
3. Effective Communication
Since business analysts are required to convey their understanding and strategies to others in a clear and concise form, it is essential that they are proficient in verbal and written communication. This way, they will be able to convey their analyses and solutions to everyone, including the top management of the company, in a simple manner.
How to Become a Business Analyst?
If you have decided to become a business analyst, there are some essential academic milestones that you must achieve.
Since the role of a business analyst does not demand any specific stream, students may choose to pursue commerce with computer programming in their pre-university or secondary education (10+2). For the unreserved category, it is essential to score at least 50% to be eligible for the entrance examinations.
In order to pursue a bachelor's degree, some universities may also ask you to appear for entrance examinations such as
- Delhi University: DUET (Delhi University Entrance Test)
- Indraprastha University: IPU CET (Indraprastha University Common Entrance Test)
- Jamia Millia Islamia: JMIEE (Jamia Millia Islamia Entrance Examination)
- Jawaharlal Nehru University: JNUEE (Jawaharlal Nehru University Entrance Examination)
- Narsee Monjee Institute for Management Studies: NPAT (National Test for Programs after Twelfth)
A bachelor’s degree that gives candidates exposure to statistics, data management systems, computer science, and information management will help them develop their profile as business analysts. Candidates should also look for internships or apprenticeships that would give them opportunities to implement what they have learned.-
Then, to consolidate their profile for the role of a business analyst, candidates can pursue a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) in Information Technology (IT) and Systems Management. This specialisation helps candidates gain a deep understanding of commerce and IT which would come in handy in today’s digital world.
Below are the entrance examinations that one must appear for in order to pursue an MBA in IT and Systems Management:
- Common Admission Test (CAT)
- Management Aptitude Test (MAT)
- Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT)
- Symbiosis National Aptitude Test (SNAP)
- Common Management Aptitude Test (CMAT)
Prospective candidates can refer to the schedule given below for these entrance examinations.
In order to get admission in the programme for MBA in IT and Systems Management, candidates should score at least 50% in their bachelors. In the selection process, the combination of their score in bachelor's degree and entrance examination would be considered.
Today, candidates also have the opportunity to pursue an MBA while working part-time or even remotely. However, currently, only Amity University is providing a distance MBA in IT and Systems Management. The duration of the course is two years with weekly lectures.
Tips to Crack MBA Entrance Examinations
The standard duration of MBA (Masters of Business Administration) entrance examinations is between 120 to 180 minutes. The examination papers are usually divided into three to four sections. These sections include:
Verbal Ability:
Here, the candidate’s language proficiency is tested through grammar and reading comprehension questions. To prepare for this, candidates must read a variety of passages that would help in developing their comprehension skills.
Reasoning Ability:
Here, the focus is on testing a candidate’s logical and analytical thinking. Therefore, it is important that must pay attention to detail, be quick to think and come up with out-of-the-box solutions.
Quantitative Ability:
This section deals with a candidate’s mathematical skills. However, rather than focusing on complex theories, candidates must familiarise themselves with number functions and focus on increasing their mathematical speed.
Since some of these entrance examinations also include negative marking, it is important that candidates be extremely careful when answering the questions.
- It would also help if candidates solve past papers and time themselves while doing so
- To improve vocabulary, candidates can also use game-based apps to make learning fun
- Solving puzzles and situation-based questions will help in developing logical thinking
However, it is important to balance out your preparation with nutritious food, adequate breaks, and appropriate sleep. This will ensure that you are mentally and physically ready for the examination.
Breakdown of MBA in IT and Systems Management
An MBA in IT and Systems Management is a two-year professional degree where students are exposed to advanced business and technological trends that will help them thrive in the digital world.
To understand what an MBA in IT and Systems Management syllabus can offer you, let us look at some important subjects that the course offers:
Apart from these mandatory subjects, students pursuing an MBA in IT and Systems Management are also offered the following electives:
To build stronger profiles as business analysts, candidates may also pursue certifications that would help them keep them updated and allow them to demand higher salaries:
- Certification of Competency in Business Analysis Certification
- IIBA Entry Certificate in Business Analysis (ECBA)
- IIBA Certification of Capability in Business Analysis (CCBA)
Job Prospects and Salaries Available after MBA in IT and Systems Management
Once you have completed an MBA in IT and Systems Management, some of the top companies that hire finance managers are:
- Infosys
- IBM
- Microsoft
- TCS
- Accenture
- Oracle
- HCL Infotech
- Dell
Thus, several job prospects are open for candidates after an MBA in IT and Systems Management which include roles such as:
- IT Manager
- Project Manager in IT
- Programme Manager
- Computer and Information System Manager
- Information Technology Consultant
The salaries for business analysts who are freshers after an MBA in IT and Systems Management in India are usually between ₹7 lakh to ₹11 lakh per annum. For experienced candidates, this could be between ₹15 lakh to ₹23 lakh per annum.
