A planning analyst’s job is to use their knowledge of existing and potential customer bases to help an organization strategically plan the projects that will be completed to serve these customers. Finance, marketing, and operations are all part of this job function. An analyst develops work process procedures, evaluates their effectiveness, and collaborates with team members from various fields. This position is responsible for meeting customer needs and expanding business opportunities.
A planning analyst needs to be up to date on industry and marketing information. He must be up to date on current trends and technology in his field, and he must apply this knowledge to ensure that the business process runs smoothly. In most cases, an analyst will gather data such as customer statistics and then use it to make recommendations or plan processes for his company. Furthermore, this job function entails being aware of competitors and then planning for the development of new business and the retention of existing customers.
A planning analyst may work on the executive team and be in charge of the company’s overall planning strategies, delegating project management to other employees. In some organizations, an analyst is assigned to specific projects and is responsible for creating, analyzing, and managing the process from start to finish. A planning analyst may also work as an independent contractor, developing strategic planning activities for a variety of businesses.
An analyst’s job responsibilities vary greatly depending on the industry in which he works and the company for which he works. An analyst will almost certainly require knowledge of a specialized industry, as well as previous work experience in that sector as well as extensive planning and analysis experience. For example, an analyst in the health-care field may be required to manage a large amount of data pertaining to medical services and equipment, as well as have prior experience in the medical field. In some companies, the planning analyst reports to the finance manager, and his responsibilities are primarily accounting-related. This could include budget management, economic trend monitoring, and communicating this information to team members or the senior management team.
The majority of a planning analyst’s day is spent at a desk, working on a computer. He’ll be in a lot of meetings, and he might be in charge of creating and delivering presentations, as well as managing other employees in the company. He might spend some of his day at the job site troubleshooting, analyzing, or providing solutions for processes.