In our digital age, businesses are increasingly turning to IT to drive innovation, streamline processes and optimize performance. Roles like IT business analysts serve as a vital link between business operations and the realm of technology.
From conceptualization to implementation, IT business analysts play a key role in developing new systems and company practices that help them meet objectives and operate more efficiently.
What Does an IT Business Analyst Do?
An IT business analyst plays a crucial role in making sure an organization is able to use information technology to achieve its goals and stay competitive in the marketplace. By consulting with stakeholders and managers, IT business analysts identify a company’s needs and objectives, as well as any operational shortcomings that can be helped through technology.
After these issues have been identified, IT business analysts work with the IT team to develop solutions, including new software, hardware upgrades, or other solutions. They then oversee the implementation of these solutions and monitor their success.
In short, IT business analysts are responsible for understanding the requirements of a company, translating those requirements into IT solutions, and then working with both business and IT teams to implement those solutions.
What Are the Necessary Skills for an IT Business Analyst?
In order to be successful in the role, an IT business analyst needs a mix of business, technical, and soft skills.
- Analytical skills: An IT business analyst must be able to examine business processes and understand how they can be improved with technology.
- Technical knowledge: Familiarity with database management, IT infrastructure and programming, along with an understanding of relevant software and tools, are all crucial skills.
- Communication: IT business analysts need to communicate complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders, as well as translate business needs to the IT team. Excellent communication skills are necessary to clearly express these ideas.
- Leadership: These professionals often play a role in overseeing projects, so resource management, planning, and other leadership skills are important.
- Critical thinking: An IT business analyst must be able to assess different solutions to problems, and consider the potential impacts of each in order to choose the most beneficial option.
- System testing: Business analysts will need to check platform usability and ensure that new systems are functioning as intended. It’s also their responsibility to ensure that the deployment of these systems won’t negatively impact other IT infrastructure components.
While the specific skills necessary for success in the career can vary in different organizations and industries, these skills make a strong foundation that will be beneficial to most IT business analysts.
IT Business Analyst Career Path
The career path for an IT business analyst can be varied and follow different routes. Depending on your specific interests, skills, and career goals, you may approach the role from different paths. Several degrees and certifications can provide the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed as an IT business analyst.
Education
One of the best ways to begin one’s journey on the IT business career path is to foster the necessary skills and knowledge through an advanced degree. IT business analyst roles often require an advanced degree like a Bachelor of Science in Information Systems or another related field such as business or computer science.
Some IT business analysts may opt for a master’s degree to further their careers, such as a Master of Science in Management Information Systems. These programs can provide a deeper understanding of business strategy, data analysis, and IT project management, all of which can be beneficial on this career path.
IT Business Analyst Salary
According to data from PayScale, the average business analyst in the IT industry can expect a typical salary of $73,257 annually, or as much as $103,000 annually depending on the working environment and other factors. However, to earn this position, professionals must have the right skills and education.
The Future of IT Business Analysis
As technology increases, the role of IT business analysts evolves and adapts to meet emerging trends. The demand for these professionals is also likely to increase, with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projecting the wider field of computer and information systems managers to increase by 16% from 2021 to 2031. Some developments that will shape the future of the career include:
- Greater focus on data analytics and AI: IT business analysts may need a strong understanding of machine learning and AI in order to effectively analyze and interpret data. They may even need to be able to use these tools to automate processes and create more accurate analyses.
- More remote work: The COVID-19 pandemic changed the way companies look at remote work. What was a necessary adaptation became the catalyst for expanding the talent pool, particularly for tech-savvy careers like IT business analysts. This trend could persist into the future, meaning IT business analyst careers will have a greater emphasis on collaborating and managing teams remotely.
- Increased importance of cybersecurity: As businesses increasingly rely on digital systems, keeping these interactions and networks secure becomes more important. IT business analysts may need to become more involved in implementing and maintaining cybersecurity measures and integrating them into business practices.
Though it’s impossible to know exactly what the future holds for this field, it’s clear that IT business analysts will continue to play an important role in many different organizations.
Sources:
Payscale, “Average Business Analyst, IT Salary”
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Computer and Information Systems Managers”
IEEE Computer Society, “5 Things Business Analysts Can Do to Advance Their Cybersecurity Practice”