You're evaluating a Business Analyst's performance. How do data analysis skills play a role?

I agree with what is stated above, data skills are absolutely necessary for a business analyst! From my experience it is important to spend time in understanding what will be useful for business, and find your stakeholders - people who will use the insights to make decisions, this helps set the sails in right direction. 2nd is to collect the data, this is a tricky stage, sometimes data is available and accessible but when it’s not, this stage can start feeling like a challenge. For collection of data, I talk to multiple people, to get a holistic view, and then take a comprehensive view of all the data that I have available to me. Having analytical skills is crucial of the role of a business analyst.

Actually this is spot on. Many at times the roles are often blurry, in the sense of the roles and responsibilities. A data analyst can actually carry out the duties of a Business Analyst and that's why there is an intersection. The business analyst, has the edge of domain knowledge which showcases the clients problems and goals in more detail terms. And can now utilize the Data Analyst skills to efficiently get the objectives done.

When evaluating a Business Analyst's performance, data analysis skills are crucial as they demonstrate the ability to interpret complex data and provide actionable insights. Proficiency in data analysis indicates the analyst’s capability to identify trends, solve problems, and support decision-making with evidence-based recommendations. Assess their skill in using analytical tools and techniques to deliver accurate, timely reports and forecasts. Effective data analysis also reflects their contribution to improving processes, optimizing strategies, and adding value to projects, highlighting their overall impact on organizational goals.

Data analysis skills are crucial for a Business Analyst as they enable the extraction of actionable insights from data, driving informed decision-making. These skills help in identifying trends, patterns, and anomalies that inform business strategies. Effective data analysis directly impacts the quality of recommendations and overall business performance.

A Business Analyst must also excel in translating complex data into actionable insights, communicating effectively with stakeholders, and understanding the broader business context. It's essential to assess not only their analytical prowess but also how they integrate data with business strategy and stakeholder needs. A well-rounded BA should demonstrate the ability to balance data-driven insights with practical implementation and collaborative problem-solving to address business challenges effectively.

To solve complex business problems, a Business Analyst plays a vital role by defining business needs and analyzing data to understand the root causes of issues. Which then develops and evaluates potential solutions, considering feasibility, impact, and risks. Business Analysts drive decision-making by providing insights and recommendations to inform business decisions. Which also aligns with a data analyst

I would also add within the scope of technical skills the knowledge of data visualization tools such as Tableau or Qliksense. They are very important to help in decision making and transmit insights in a visual way.

It's always said, the goal of a analysis is not the fancy dashboards or the software tools use to run the analysis, but the impact from the insights. What problem is your analysis solving, what value is it generating to your clients. This is fundamental to every task at hand.

Ultimately what is real need of business has to be kept on top of everything considering what we are planning to deliver. This become more crucial when it comes to analyzing requirements.