What Is a Business Analyst? Job Description, Salary, and Skills

 By bringing business needs together with IT resources, business analysts come up with ways to improve organizations. They listen to leaders, stakeholders, and others at a company to understand a current situation or problem. Then, they work on improving it through data analysis.

If you think you’d be good at helping organizations make important changes to their processes, products, and services, here’s a look at what’s involved in a career as a business analyst.

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Business Analyst Job Description

Companies employ business analysts to help them get from where they are to where they want to be. Specifically, business analysts use data to evaluate processes and procedures, determine what needs to change and how to change it, and present their findings to the company.

Business analysts realize, however, that parameters such as cost constraints and technical feasibility affect what actions an organization can take.

In determining their recommendations, business analysts often perform duties such as:

• Talking to people to understand goals and gain information on current operations
• Questioning assumptions about why problems exist and why things are done in certain ways
• Outlining findings and possible solutions
• Making data-driven recommendations
• Budgeting and forecasting
• Monitoring progress and presenting reports

Types of Business Analysts

Though many job titles say “business analyst,” in some respects, this title is a catchall phrase. And while many business analysts conduct their studies across entire businesses, there are those who focus on specific areas of analysis.

For example, management analysts analyze an organization’s processes and procedures, then recommend ways the company can improve their efficiency. But a compensation, benefit, and job analyst compares compensation and benefit plans, then recommends the best choices for the company.

Other job titles include:

• IT Business analyst
• Systems Business Analyst
• Business Performance Analyst

Relation to Team

A one-size-fits-all description of where a business analyst fits into company structure does not exist. Organizations may employ several business analysts or just one or two, and some places assign them to specific departments, while others put them on projects based on most pressing needs. Leaders often prefer when business analysts do not have an affiliation with a certain team because it allows them to approach a problem from a fresh perspective.

Typically, business analysts work in close association with project managers. They also frequently interact with IT staff and financial reporting teams.

Desirable Skills for Business Analysts

Inquisitive problem-solvers who ask both the “dumb” and the hard questions make good business analysts. Gathering information, however, is only part of the job. These professionals need strong analytic skills to process the data and come up with achievable action plans based on technical feasibility and company resources. Mastery of Excel, PowerPoint, performance analytics software, CRMs, and other tools enables business analysts to sort data and present findings.

The ability to communicate clearly contributes to success in this role. Business analysts regularly interact with others at various levels, so they need to eliminate jargon to present information and instructions in ways that make sense to their audience.

Business Analyst Qualifications

Business analysts commonly hold an undergraduate or graduate degree in business administration, finance, economics, statistics, or another similar discipline. Many business analysts also have a background in IT jobs or software development roles.

Industry-recognized certification can enhance career opportunities. The International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA) awards several certifications to candidates who pass an exam and demonstrate a work history that meets criteria.

• Entry Certificate in Business Analysis (ECBA)
• Certification of Competency in Business Analysis (CCBA)
• Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP)
• Certificate in Cybersecurity Analysis (IIBA-CCA)
• Agile Analysis Certification (IIBA-AAC)
• Certification in Business Data Analytics (IIBA-CBDA)

Business Analyst Salary and Job Outlook

Glassdoor reports the national average salary for a business analyst as $68,346. Note, though, that this figure can differ substantially based on specific duties and experience. A senior IT business analyst, for instance, makes an average salary of over $90,000.

Similarly, employment projections vary by role, with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics showing growth of 7% to 27% between 2016 and 2026. As an example, demand for management analysts—one of the most common titles within the general field of business analysis—is expected to increase 14% as companies put a greater emphasis on cost-cutting and efficiency.

Your Career as a Business Analyst

Since so many organizations can benefit from the services of a business analyst, job opportunities exist at both for-profit and nonprofit companies as well as with the government. Newcomers often begin as junior analysts and progress into specialized roles or take on larger, more complex projects.

And, if you’re looking for business analyst jobs, we can help! FlexJobs offers flexible jobs in more than 50 different career fields!

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Best street food in Mumbai: An insider's guide to the top 9 scrumptious food joints in the city

 https://www.gqindia.com/live-well/content/an-insiders-guide-to-the-best-street-food-in-mumbai

By some estimates, the earliest street food in Mumbai can be traced back to the mid- to late-1800s, when the local cotton traders would work the graveyard shift and help meet the global demand for cotton during the American Civil War when Lincoln’s navies blockaded the cotton supply from the South. At the end of the workday (somewhere closer to daybreak) local restaurants would mash up the leftover vegetables with spices and serve it with bread that would be made by local Jesuit bakeries in the neighbourhood. In effect, this was how pav bhaji was born. Even though some may qualify bhel as the quintessential Mumbai dish, it’s pav bhaji that embodies this city’s entrepreneurial spirit. Both, however, form the cornerstone of street food in Mumbai along with that Maharashtrian staple, vada pav. The idlis, dosas (and the many variations thereof) came in much later, but are an important part of the city’s street food scene today. For the most part, street food in Mumbai remains dominated by vegetarian snacks, even though the city serves a mean mutton and chicken spread in select neighbourhoods. Whether it's vada pav or kebabs, it’s crucial you know where to land the best ones. That’s where we come in with our list of where you can get the best street food in Mumbai.

Best street food in Mumbai

1. Soli Pav Bhaji

Most lists will likely point you to Sardar Pav Bhaji in Tardeo. But here’s the thing: while Sardar used to be great once upon a time, the bhaji is now wanting in flavour, being reduced to just a vegetable mash cooked in overbearing red chilli powder. Mercifully, your salvation lies just down the road from Sardar near Haji Ali. Unlike Sardar, a brick-and-mortar establishment, Soli is a stall that’s located outside Heera Panna Shopping Centre, but beats its more illustrious competitor hands down. You’ll have to really look out for Soli because, really, it’s easy to miss him and they open only in the evenings, but there’s a good possibility you won’t regret getting out of your expensive SUV for a quick bite.

Address: Outside Heera Panna Shopping Centre, Malviya Nagar, Haji Ali

2. Karachi Sweets

Purists tend to be divided on where you should be having a great bhel/paani/sev puri in Mumbai. While every street corner has a stall that sells these snacks, very few do a good job with it. Bandra’s Elco is a more popular option, but walk a few hundred meters towards the sea along Hill Road and you’ll spot Karachi Sweets that’s grown from a hole-in-the-wall to a well-established restaurant. It’s also one of the few places that has managed to maintain the flavour and quality of its food even while expanding its menu.

Address: Homeland Apartments, off Hill Road, Bandra (W)

3. Aram Vada

The vada pav has been a Maharashtrian staple that’s made its way into the urban culinary history thanks to the mills in the city. Before the malls replaced the factories, thousands of workers would make the trek to the cloth mills to earn their daily bread. A large population of these workers came from rural Maharashtra and made this city their home. The batata vada, a deep-fried potato dumpling, served with bread became the most filling and the cheapest meal for the working class. Since then the legend of vada pav has only grown and several vendors sell it at every nook and corner. However, Aram Vada remains one of the most reliable places in the city to have vada pav. Conveniently located diagonally opposite Mumbai CSMT, Aram’s kothimbir vadi (deep-fried coriander slabs) is as highly recommended as its vadas. Make sure you ask for the chutney and keep a bottle of water handy.

Address: Capitol Cinema Building, Dr DN Road, Mumbai CSMT

4. Ayub’s Restaurant

You will always be told to head over to Bade Miya’s in Colaba for a late-night non-vegetarian snack–think biryani, kebabs, bheja, baida roti. But while Bade’s isn’t an altogether terrible idea, consider Ayub’s in Kala Ghoda for similar fare. Ayub’s doesn’t serve biryani, but makes up for it in the variety of rolls and kebabs.

Address: 43 VB Gandhi Marg, Kala Ghoda, Fort

5. Bhima Calcutta Roll

Despite the thriving Bengali population in the city, the cuisine is yet to leave its mark in the city. Even though restaurants such as Bhojohori Manna and Peetuk among others have mushroomed in the last decade or so, Bengali street food remains an elusive beast. It’s where Bhima Calcutta Roll comes in. This stall outside the DN Nagar Metro Station in Andheri (W) does a darned good job with its limited menu – from bhetki fish fries to chicken rolls – and ensures you return for more.

Address: 1 JP Road, Indian Oil Nagar Bus Stop, DN Nagar Metro Staion, Four Bungalows, Andheri (W)

6. J Hearsch & Co, Bandra

Named after the German baker who sold his business to a local in the ‘20s, J Hearsch & Co remains an icon even a century later. The menu has since been upgraded to include biryanis and Chinese meals (both popular, but avoidable) but it’s their burgers, puffs and patties that steal the show.

Address: 90-A, Next To Holy Family Hospital, Hill Road, Bandra (W)

7. Dhiraj Sandwich

The name can be misleading because this tiny establishment serves a lot more than a wide range of vegetarian sandwiches – from grilled and toasted to plain. For one, its vada pavs are a winner, but equally outstanding are its dozen variations of dosa – from shezwan to paneer and more. It’s impossible to miss Dhiraj Sandwich that stands bang opposite Mithibai College.

Address: Navyug Society, Opposite Mithibai College, Vile Parle (W)

8. Bachelorr’s

The spelling error notwithstanding Bachelorr’s, remains an iconic place for all kinds of vegetarian sandwiches and quick bites along Marine Drive. But what it does best is its wide range of shakes, fruit creams and ice creams. It’s spectacularly easy to spot Bachelorr’s opposite the Mafatlal Swimming Pool because of the crowd outside it.

Address: 45 Sattar Sea View, Marine Drive, Chowpatty

9. New Kulfi Centre

Some 100m north of Bachellor’s is New Kulfi Centre, another iconic place that serves a wide range of kulfis. Over the years, after having tried every single flavour (we’re a dedicated lot) we can safely recommend malai and pista kulfis to start with or, indeed, a plate of mixed flavours. New Kulfi Centre also serves kulfi by the kilo, which means you don’t have to necessarily eat standing on the corner of a street.

Address: Marina Mansion, 556 Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Road, Sukh Sagar