Business analysts are professionals who are responsible for assessing a company’s overall structure, which includes aspects such as sales and marketing, management, accounting, systems management, facilities, and labor. Analysts range from accounting business analysts to information technology business analysts. Following an objective assessment, the business analyst usually makes constructive recommendations for improving the efficiency of specific areas of the company, with the goal of increasing the company’s stability and profitability.
For many years, a business analyst would apply general principles to almost any type of organization, regardless of industry affiliation. To some extent, this was often successful, as the basic principles of risk management, communication processes, labor utilization, and process management are applicable to almost any business setting. With the advent of computer technology in the mid-twentieth century, the IT business analyst arose as a way to assist businesses in converting to electronic data storage rather than relying solely on traditional methods. Many business analysts continue to provide this level of service in the business community today, often assisting many struggling businesses in making changes that help them get back on their feet.
In recent years, it has become common to find a business analyst who specializes in a single industry or a small number of business functions. The business analyst, who specializes in evaluating a company’s information technology infrastructure, is a modern example. The quality of computer hardware used in each department of the company, the efficiency of the network that connects all sections and locations of the company, and how efficiently information flows from one area to another using software and databases are all areas that the IT business analyst focuses on. Often, an IT business analyst with a focus on IT functions can provide helpful advice on how to integrate one or more system components, or how to migrate to a new software package or network. This is done with the goal of streamlining data flow and, as a result, improving the corporation’s bottom line.
An IT business analyst can take anywhere from a few days to a year to complete a detailed analysis of a company and produce a comprehensive report that identifies strengths, weaknesses, and change recommendations. In some cases, an IT business analyst may decide to sign a contract with the client in order to stay on board while the upgrades or enhancements are being implemented.