Business Analyst job description: Duties, skills and responsibilities

Business Analysts are essential in bridging the gap between technical solutions and business objectives. They identify opportunities for process improvements, drive cost efficiencies and align strategies with company goals.

If you’re aiming to hire a Business Analyst, this guide will help you craft a concise, effective job description that attracts skilled candidates ready to make a difference in your organisation.

Business Analyst job duties and responsibilities

Business Analysts act as the link between internal stakeholders, systems and projects to deliver improved outcomes. Their work involves significant research, problem-solving and collaboration to meet organisational needs effectively.

Key responsibilities for a Business Analyst include:

• Strategic planning and analysis
  • Collect and interpret data to assess current business processes and identify improvement areas.
  • Develop detailed business cases supported by relevant data to recommend effective solutions.
  • Collaborate with stakeholders to identify company objectives and align them with actionable strategies.

• Requirements gathering and documentation
  • Work with teams to define and document business needs, technical specifications and solution requirements.
  • Translate complex business processes into key deliverables using flow charts, diagrams and technical documentation.
  • Ensure clarity and consistency in requirements to streamline communication between stakeholders and developers.
• Project support 
  • Act as a liaison between technical teams, vendors and business units to ensure an accurate understanding of goals.
  • Monitor project milestones, timelines and deliverables to ensure alignment with expectations.
  • Support testing efforts and validate that solutions meet business needs.
• Performance monitoring and reporting 
  • Develop and provide dashboards to track key performance indicators (KPIs).
  • Analyse project outcomes to ensure they meet predefined business objectives.
  • Recommend adjustments to projects based on performance metrics or unforeseen challenges.
• Relationship building 
  • Foster strong relationships with stakeholders to ensure continuous process improvement.
  • Communicate findings and project updates clearly and persuasively to executive teams.
  • Ensure that proposed solutions align with organisational priorities through ongoing collaboration.

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What should be included in a Business Analyst job description?

To craft an effective job description, ensure that you include these key elements:

• Position summary: Provide an overview of how this role contributes to the organisation’s success.
• Core responsibilities: List key tasks and expectations, such as data collection, requirements documentation and stakeholder collaboration.
• Required skills: Identify technical competencies and soft skills that align with the role, such as systems analysis and strong communication abilities.
• Qualifications and experience: Highlight essential educational and professional credentials.
• Work environment details: Share whether the role includes hybrid work, travel requirements or specific project commitments.
• Call-to-action: Provide applicants with clear instructions on how to apply.

Including these guidelines will ensure that candidates fully understand the scope of the role and its importance to the organisation.

Example of a job description

We are seeking a strategic and detail-oriented Business Analyst to join our organisation. This role is critical in aligning operational capabilities with company goals through detailed analysis and collaboration.

Key responsibilities:

• Work closely with stakeholders to identify key business objectives and translate them into actionable insights.
• Analyse existing processes to uncover efficiency gaps, process bottlenecks and opportunities for improvement.
• Document requirements and workflows clearly to maintain alignment across departments.
• Provide consistent project updates, dashboards and presentations to stakeholders.
• Collaborate with development teams to test changes and measure their impact.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Data Science or a related field.
• 3–5 years of experience in business analysis or a related role.
• Competency in tools such as SQL, Tableau, Microsoft Excel and project management software.
• Advanced data visualisation skills to align complex insights with strategic objectives.
• Exceptional problem-solving and communication skills to liaise effectively across teams.

Work environment:

• Hybrid working environment with remote work opportunities.
• Occasional travel to project sites or client meetings may be required.

If you excel at balancing strategic acumen with technical disciplines, we’d love to hear from you!

What is the best way to screen candidates?

Finding the right Business Analyst requires assessing a candidate’s analytical mindset, technical skill and ability to collaborate effectively. To streamline candidate evaluation, consider the following steps:

• Resume assessment: Spot experience in similar roles, particularly those requiring data analysis and process improvement. Verify competency with technical tools like SQL, Tableau or Microsoft Excel.
• Core skills testing: Conduct exercises to gauge proficiency in data modelling or analytical reporting. Assign tasks where candidates must document workflows or deliver requirement specifications.
• Scenario-based questions: Use interview questions testing their approach to resolving poorly-defined project requirements. Ask candidates how they balance competing stakeholder priorities when defining project scope.
• Soft skill evaluation: Look for examples of effective communication during their client or stakeholder collaboration. Assess how well their personal values align with your company culture.

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What skills should a Business Analyst have?

To drive organisational improvements and deliver actionable insights, Business Analysts require a mix of technical and interpersonal skills.

Key skills

• Data proficiency: Advanced Microsoft Excel and SQL knowledge. Familiarity with data visualisation tools like Tableau or Power BI.
• Analytical thinking: Expertise in identifying inefficiencies or cost-saving techniques and an ability to connect finer details with strategic goals.
• Communication and collaboration: Efficiency in liaising with diverse teams and stakeholders as well as the capability to explain complex findings in clear, actionable terms.

Tailor the skills list to suit your organisation’s priorities and systems to attract the most relevant candidates.

What qualifications should a Business Analyst have?

Though experience often outweighs formal education, the following qualifications are commonly valued:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Data Science or an equivalent field.
• Technical certifications: Certifications like CBAP (Certified Business Analysis Professional) or IIBA (International Institute of Business Analysis).
• Experience: Proficiency demonstrated through 3–5 years of functional analysis, project management or data analytics roles.

By clearly defining expectations, you’ll better align with candidates who match your specific needs. 

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Should Business Analysts be required to have any specific education or training?

Generally, a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Data Science, Information Technology or a related field is a common requirement for Business Analyst roles in New Zealand.

For entry-level Business Analyst positions, a relevant Bachelor’s degree might be sufficient, especially if accompanied by internships or practical experience in data analysis or business processes.

For mid-level Business Analysts, in addition to a Bachelor’s degree, employers often look for 3-5 years of experience in functional analysis, project management or data analytics. Technical certifications such as CBAP (Certified Business Analysis Professional) or IIBA (International Institute for Business Analysis) are highly valued and can demonstrate a commitment to the profession.

For senior-level or lead Business Analyst roles, a Master’s degree in a related field might be preferred, alongside extensive experience (5+ years) and a proven track record of successfully leading complex projects, driving significant process improvements and demonstrating strong strategic thinking. Relevant certifications are also increasingly important at this level.

Continuous learning through workshops, online courses and industry-specific training is also highly beneficial for Business Analysts at all levels to stay updated with evolving technologies and methodologies. 

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