As we enter the fourth industrial revolution, businesses are generating more data than ever before. Hidden within this data are valuable insights that can help organisations achieve digital transformation, reduce risk, and gain a competitive edge.
At the centre of this transformation stands the Business Analyst — a professional who bridges business objectives with technical solutions. Whether you are new to the field or an experienced professional looking to advance your expertise, mastering the key skills to become a Business Analyst is essential.
At TSG Training we provide accredited Business Analysis courses through BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, to help learners gain recognised qualifications and practical experience.
What Does a Business Analyst Do
A Business Analyst acts as the link between business goals and technology solutions. They analyse processes, identify opportunities for improvement, and ensure technology investments deliver measurable value.
Key responsibilities include:
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Translating stakeholder requirements into actionable business outcomes
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Analysing and improving existing processes
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Managing collaboration across teams and departments
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Leading change management and digital transformation initiatives
In short, Business Analysts make transformation possible.
1. Technical Skills
Technical knowledge is at the heart of effective business analysis. Most Business Analysts work within an organisation’s technology function, where their recommendations often result in system or software improvements.
A successful BA understands:
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IT systems and applications
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Data analysis tools such as SQL or Power BI
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Software testing methods and Agile frameworks
At TSG Training we offer a range of courses that build these skills, including the BCS Foundation Certificate in Business Analysis and BCS Agile Business Analysis.
These qualifications provide both theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience that you can apply directly to real projects.
2. Research Skills
Every project starts with a question — a business problem that requires investigation. Strong research skills help Business Analysts gather, interpret, and validate information that guides decision-making.
To succeed, you need to:
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Ask insightful questions that uncover the root cause of issues
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Analyse data and identify patterns or trends
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Benchmark findings against industry best practices
These abilities ensure your recommendations are supported by evidence, which builds trust with stakeholders and decision-makers.
3. Critical Thinking Skills
Critical thinking separates great analysts from good ones. Beyond collecting data, Business Analysts must be able to evaluate different solutions and think several steps ahead.
This involves:
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Considering multiple outcomes and evaluating each option’s impact
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Assessing risks and feasibility
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Asking “what if” questions to anticipate challenges before they arise
By performing thorough assessments, Business Analysts provide organisations with confidence that decisions are informed and strategic.
4. People Skills
The ability to work effectively with people is one of the most important skills for a Business Analyst. You will regularly interact with stakeholders, project managers, developers, and end users.
Strong people skills help you:
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Build trust with colleagues and stakeholders
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Understand diverse motivations and goals
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Lead collaborative workshops and meetings
In a modern digital workplace, these interactions may take place across locations and time zones. Being able to manage relationships remotely is essential to maintaining communication and collaboration.
5. Communication Skills
Clear communication is one of the most vital skills to become a Business Analyst. You must be able to translate complex technical information into language that everyone can understand.
Effective communication involves:
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Actively listening to uncover hidden concerns
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Adjusting your message based on your audience
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Providing regular updates to ensure everyone stays informed
Senior leaders might prefer concise summaries or dashboards, while developers may require detailed technical documents. Understanding these preferences ensures that all stakeholders remain aligned.
6. Negotiation Skills
Negotiation is where analysis meets action. A Business Analyst must bring together individuals with different priorities and help them agree on the best course forward.
Successful negotiation requires:
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Balancing individual preferences with organisational objectives
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Resolving disagreements constructively
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Achieving decisions that deliver value for everyone involved
This skill takes practice but is essential for gaining stakeholder buy-in and ensuring your proposed solutions are implemented successfully.
Career Development Opportunities
A career in Business Analysis offers many opportunities for growth. You can move into leadership positions, specialise in business transformation or product management, or focus on a specific industry such as financial services or IT.
Through TSG Training and our BCS-accredited Business Analysis qualifications, you can progress from Foundation to Practitioner and Professional levels. These certifications are recognised in over 200 countries and support the SFIAplus framework, helping professionals plan and track their career development.
By gaining the right training and qualifications, you will be well-equipped to lead strategic projects and contribute to organisational success.
Download 6 skills to become a business analyst whitepaper here
