The proliferation of IoT-connected devices, IoT-based sensors, ever-increasing internet users, and a sharp rise in social media engagements are all boosting opportunities for businesses to capture massive amounts of data.
Many industry analysts see data as the 'new oil' that drives organizational efficiency in today's information age, optimizes performance, profitability, and experiences. However, having a vast amount of data is useless if businesses cannot analyze it to extract actionable insights that enable data-driven, informed decision-making.
The emerging need to leverage data for accomplishing organizational goals is bringing Business Intelligence (BI) in the spotlight. BI includes the operation and management of data processing tools and systems, such as data visualization tools, data modeling tools, decision-support systems, database management systems, and data warehousing systems.
In recent years, Business Intelligence is witnessing the widespread adoption in diverse sectors for its capability to facilitate intelligent decision-making, which accelerates process enhancements, improves productivity, and boosts the end-user experience.
Because of BI’s increased popularity, the demand for business intelligence professionals is also on the rise, as demonstrated in studies by the global research and advisory firm Gartner, Inc., and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. With business intelligence analyst roles gaining heightened prominence, the demand is outpacing the supply of talent, and organizations worldwide are facing a severe shortage of skilled BI analysts.
Unfortunately, not the best-case scenario for companies, but the acute talent gap broadens the career opportunities for individuals seeking to enter the exciting field of Business Intelligence. This document provides you with the information you need to start a successful career as a business intelligence analyst.
Become a Business and Leadership Professional
- Top 10 skills in demandBusiness Analysis As A Skill In 2020
- 14% Growth in JobsOf Business Analysis Profile By 2028
Business Analyst
- Industry-recognized certifications from IBM and Simplilearn
- Masterclasses from IBM experts
11 monthsPost Graduate Program in Business Analysis
- Certificate from Simplilearn in collaboration with Purdue University
- Become eligible to be part of the Purdue University Alumni Association
6 months
Here's what learners are saying regarding our programs:
Sauvik Pal
Assistant Consultant at Tata Consultancy Services, Tata Consultancy Services
My experience with Simplilearn has been great till now. They have good materials to start with, and a wide range of courses. I have signed up for two courses with Simplilearn over the past 6 months, Data Scientist and Agile and Scrum. My experience with both is good. One unique feature I liked about Simplilearn is that they give pre-requisites that you should complete, before a live class, so that you go there fully prepared. Secondly, there support staff is superb. I believe there are two teams, to cater to the Indian and US time zones. Simplilearn gives you the most methodical and easy way to up-skill yourself. Also, when you compare the data analytics courses across the market that offer web-based tutorials, Simplilearn, scores over the rest in my opinion. Great job, Simplilearn!
Vy Tran
I was keenly looking for a change in my domain from business consultancy to IT(Business Analytics). This Post Graduate Program in Business Analysis course helped me achieve the same. I am proficient in business analysis now and am looking for job profiles that suit my skill set.
What Is a Business Intelligence Analyst?
A business intelligence analyst analyzes data for the purpose of preparing market intelligence and financial reports. In these reports, patterns and trends are identified in a particular market that may affect the actions and goals of a company.
Business intelligence analyst is an individual proficient in computer programming languages, BI tools, technologies, and systems. BI analysts determine business-critical priorities and requirements, define KPIs (Key Performance Indicators), implement DW (Data Warehouse) strategies, and identify BI (Business Intelligence) by mining Big Data using advanced software and tools.
A business intelligence analyst's primary goal is to empower decision-makers with accurate, real-time, actionable insights that enhance workforce efficiency, increase productivity, strengthen market positioning, improve the competitive edge, and augment customer experience.
Enroll in the Post Graduate Program In Business Analysis to learn over a dozen of tools and skills, and gain access to masterclasses by Purdue faculty, exclusive hackathons, and Ask Me Anything sessions.
What Does a Business Intelligence Analyst Do?
A Business Intelligence (BI) Analyst is crucial in transforming data into insights that drive business decisions. BI Analysts are at the heart of data-driven organizations, using data analytics and visualization tools to understand trends, patterns, and insights that inform strategic and operational decisions. Here's a detailed overview of what a Business Intelligence Analyst does:
1. Data Collection and Management
Data Sourcing: BI Analysts identify and collect data from various sources, including internal databases, external datasets, and cloud-based data services. They ensure the data is relevant, accurate, and comprehensive.
Data Cleaning and Preparation: They clean the data by removing duplicates, correcting errors, and handling missing values to ensure the data's quality and reliability for analysis.
2. Analysis and Interpretation
Data Analysis: Using statistical methods, algorithms, and analytics tools, BI Analysts analyze the collected data to identify trends, patterns, and anomalies.
Data Interpretation: They interpret the data analysis results, translating complex datasets into understandable insights that can inform business strategies.
3. Reporting and Visualization
Report Creation: BI Analysts create reports that summarize their findings, using tables, charts, and graphs to present data in a way that is accessible to stakeholders.
Dashboard Development: They also develop interactive dashboards that provide real-time insights, allowing users to drill down into specific data points for deeper analysis.
4. Decision Support
Strategic Recommendations: With their insights, BI Analysts advise senior management on strategic decisions, suggesting actions based on data-driven analysis.
Operational Efficiency: They identify opportunities for operational improvements, such as cost reduction, process optimization, and enhancing customer satisfaction.
5. Collaboration and Communication
Stakeholder Engagement: BI Analysts work closely with organizational stakeholders to understand their data needs and ensure the insights provided are relevant and actionable.
Cross-functional Collaboration: They collaborate with IT departments, data scientists, and other analysts to ensure data consistency, share best practices, and integrate insights into the broader business strategy.
6. Continuous Learning and Adaptation
Keeping Up-to-date: The field of business intelligence is rapidly evolving, requiring BI Analysts to stay updated on the latest tools, technologies, and methodologies.
Skill Development: They continually refine their data analytics, visualization, and interpretation skills to enhance their effectiveness and adapt to changing business needs.
Business Intelligence Analyst Salary
Ranked by American business magazine Forbes as one of the hottest jobs in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) field, a business intelligence analyst can expect lucrative salaries because of the strong demand in varied industries, including finance, healthcare, manufacturing, insurance, technology, and e-commerce.
- A business intelligence analyst in the United States earns over $82,000 annually
- In the United Kingdom, a business intelligence analyst earns over £45,00 annually
- A business intelligence analyst in India with 1 year or less experience gets an average compensation of ₹357,394/year. The average pay package of BI professionals with one to four years of experience is ₹510,457/year, while mid-level and senior-level business intelligence analysts draw an average salary of ₹817,958/year and ₹1,179,162/year.
Become a Business and Leadership Professional
- Top 10 skills in demandBusiness Analysis As A Skill In 2020
- 14% Growth in JobsOf Business Analysis Profile By 2028
Business Analyst
- Industry-recognized certifications from IBM and Simplilearn
- Masterclasses from IBM experts
11 monthsPost Graduate Program in Business Analysis
- Certificate from Simplilearn in collaboration with Purdue University
- Become eligible to be part of the Purdue University Alumni Association
6 months
Here's what learners are saying regarding our programs:
Sauvik Pal
Assistant Consultant at Tata Consultancy Services, Tata Consultancy Services
My experience with Simplilearn has been great till now. They have good materials to start with, and a wide range of courses. I have signed up for two courses with Simplilearn over the past 6 months, Data Scientist and Agile and Scrum. My experience with both is good. One unique feature I liked about Simplilearn is that they give pre-requisites that you should complete, before a live class, so that you go there fully prepared. Secondly, there support staff is superb. I believe there are two teams, to cater to the Indian and US time zones. Simplilearn gives you the most methodical and easy way to up-skill yourself. Also, when you compare the data analytics courses across the market that offer web-based tutorials, Simplilearn, scores over the rest in my opinion. Great job, Simplilearn!
Vy Tran
I was keenly looking for a change in my domain from business consultancy to IT(Business Analytics). This Post Graduate Program in Business Analysis course helped me achieve the same. I am proficient in business analysis now and am looking for job profiles that suit my skill set.
How to Become a Business Intelligence Analyst
Individuals who intend to pursue a career as a business intelligence analyst will require a wide range of skills, including soft skills, analytical skills, and technical skills.
Popular business intelligence analyst skills include:
- Knowledge of data collection protocol and software
- Expertise in integrating programs and software into data services
- Familiarity with data mining tools, data modeling concepts, and data warehouse architecture
- Proficiency in SQL, Python, R, C#, Tableau, and Hadoop
- Experience in database management and business administration
- Excellent problem-solving and critical-thinking capabilities
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- Good understanding of privacy and data protection laws
Although a 4-year degree in computer science, business administration, or statistics can help you secure a job, leading employers place little emphasis on long-term academic degrees. Instead, top organizations, including Facebook, Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and many others, are looking for candidates with certification from industry-recognized institutions, such as Simplilearn, to fill in talent gaps quickly.
Get Ahead With Simplilearn
With over a dozen of features, and world-class lessons on data analysis, statistics, Agile Scrum methodologies, and data visualization, hands-on industry training, and access to various real-world projects, Simplilearn’s Professional Certificate Program In Business Analysis, will ensure that you are equipped with the most in-demand tools and techniques to advance your BI career.