How to Become a Business Analyst 2025: Step-by-Step Guide

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicted a growing demand for business analysts by 2025. This led people to search “How to become a business analyst?” on Google. Chances are you might be one of them.

The good news is your search ends here. We’ve compiled a detailed guide that covers everything to become a business analyst in 2025. After this guide, you won’t need any other resources.

If you’re wondering how to Become a Business Analyst though the demand for good business analysts is increasing every year, the supply is still limited. Right now is a golden opportunity for you to step into this lucrative (and high-paying) profession. We’ll show you how to become a business analyst without any experience, or if you’re already in some other profession.

But before that, we’ll start with something rarely any aspirant knows with absolute clarity…

What Does A Business Analyst Do?

As the name suggests, how to become a business analyst is by analyzing data and creating solutions to improve a company’s processes, products, services, and even software.

A Business Analyst’s main job is to help the company identify flaws in operations and products and improve them by bringing effective solutions to the table.

Here’s how he does it:

• Communicates with teams across departments to gather insights on company challenges and issues.
• Analyzes collected information to spot trends, patterns, and areas for improvement.
• Develops solutions, such as new software or process changes, to address identified problems.
• Collaborates with IT teams, project managers, and other departments to implement solutions.
• Tests and monitors implemented solutions to measure their effectiveness and impact.
• Identifies and prioritizes the company’s functional and technical needs.
• Uses SQL and Excel to analyze large data sets.
• Creates charts, tables, and visual reports to present data insights.
• Builds financial models to support decision-making.
• Understands business strategies, goals, and requirements.
• Plans the structure and organization of business operations (enterprise architecture).
• Conducts forecasting, budgeting, and financial analysis to track performance.

Why Choose a Career in Business Analysis?

A career in business analysis allows you to contribute to an organization’s success by providing data-driven insights. It’s a dynamic role with new challenges every day, offering opportunities to solve problems, ask questions, and work independently. If you enjoy analyzing data, improving processes, and helping teams make better decisions, this could be the right career path for you.

Business Analyst Salary

• The average annual salary for business analysts in India is around ₹9,55,000 (as per Glassdoor).
• Salaries vary based on location, company, and experience:
  • Mumbai: Close to the national average.
  • Bangalore: Higher, at approximately ₹10,47,500.
  • Chennai: Lower, at around ₹7,65,000.

Job Outlook

• The demand for business analysts is growing, with a projected 14.3% increase by 2026 in India.
• Similar roles include management analyst and operations analyst, which involve comparable responsibilities.

What does a day in the life of a Business Analyst look like?

A typical day in the life of a Business Analyst involves assessing data, communicating insights with stakeholders, and developing a strategy. A business analyst’s everyday responsibilities may include the following:

• Understanding the business requirements.
• Evaluating data requirements.
• Data Collection and Analysis
• Collect information and deliver it to stakeholders.
• Monitor the deployment of the new process.
• Take responsibility for project duties and ensure their timely completion.
• Design and carry out A/B test procedures to extract data from test runs.
• Evaluate and make inferences from data on customer behaviour.

Educational and Background Requirements

The good thing about how to become a Business Analyst profession is that there are no special educational or background requirements to enter and no fixed criteria. You just need to be a graduate with good MS Excel and soft skills.

What skills are we talking about? You must have:

• Analytical skills: You must have the skills to analyze the data and derive meaning from it. You must know how to identify patterns and trends and draw meaningful conclusions.
• Problem-solving skills: A lot of a business analyst’s job is finding solutions to companies’ problems. You must be a problem solver to be a great business analyst.
• Communication skills: A business analyst must interact with many people to gather information, so good communication skills will be a great asset.
• Technical Skills: This is non-negotiable. You must be proficient in tools that help in data analysis, such as MS Excel, SQL, Microsoft Visio, etc.

Relevant experience in project management, IT, Sales, Business operations, or Accounting also helps. It’ll give you a head start, as you’ll already be familiar with how things work.

But what if you don’t have the relevant experience or no experience at all? Will it be the end of the road for you? Definitely not! The next section will show you how you can enter the business analyst role without experience. We’ll explore how to become a business analyst without prior experience.

How to Become a Business Analyst With No Experience?

Before you even wonder, yes, it is possible to become a business analyst with no experience. Though, your path might be slightly longer and full of hard work. Here’s how to become a business analyst.

1. Develop Key Business Analyst Skills

• Business Acumen – Understand finance, accounting, and business operations to identify and solve issues.
• Communication – Clearly present ideas and collaborate with different teams and management.
• Data Analysis – Work with tools like Excel, Tableau, and BI Tools, and learn SQL for handling large datasets.
• Business Analysis Methods – Familiarity with Agile, Six Sigma, or Rational Unified Process can be beneficial.
• Industry Expertise – Understanding industry-specific challenges helps in crafting better business solutions.

2. Take a Business Analyst Course

• Enroll in online or in-person courses to stay updated on business analysis trends and tools.
• Learn data analytics and business analytics, focusing on tools like Tableau, Excel, and MySQL.

3. Earn a Business Analyst Certification

Getting certified can enhance your skills and job prospects. Consider:

• ECBA (Entry Certificate in Business Analysis) – Ideal for beginners.
• CBAP (Certified Business Analysis Professional) – For experienced professionals.
• CCBA (Certification of Capability in Business Analysis) – For mid-level analysts.
• PMI-PBA (Professional in Business Analytics) – For those with project management experience.

4. Consider a Degree

• Bachelor’s Degree – A degree in finance, economics, data science, computer science, or statistics can prepare you for business analysis roles.
• Master’s Degree/MBA – A Master’s in Business Analytics or an MBA with a specialization can provide an edge in career growth.

5. Gain Experience Through Entry-Level Roles

• Start with internships or junior roles in finance, accounting, or business operations to build experience.
• Look for entry-level business analyst positions to get hands-on industry exposure.
• If you’re in university, consult a career counsellor for guidance on job opportunities.

At this point, you should be looking for internships and online freelance jobs to get some hands-on experience. Contribute to as many projects as you can. Build a portfolio to showcase your work. Apply for entry-level jobs: At last, when you’re done with certifications, internships, and your portfolio, start applying for entry-level jobs. Also, consider how to become a business analyst consultant if you have a knack for advising companies on improving their processes.

Building Experience as a Business Analyst

How to Become a Business Analyst Successfully? You see, after you get an entry-level job, you’ll need to get to work and gain experience. It’ll be an ongoing journey. Here are some things you can do to get ahead of your game:

• Take initiatives: To learn how to become a business analyst, you need to be more proactive in your current role and take the initiative to identify and solve your company’s problems. Don’t wait for someone to handle the tasks.
• Continuous learning: If you’re looking to understand how to become a business analyst, make sure you’re learning never stops. Even after getting a job, you should be learning new tools and technologies that might make your job easier. Enroll yourself in advanced certification courses like CBAP (Certified business analysis professional) or PMI-PBA. There are a plethora of online courses and workshops available that might put you ahead. 
• Document Everything: Make a habit of maintaining a journal. Write your findings and learnings in it. Documenting everything will help you remember what you’ve learned, and it’ll be a good resource to use when you’re stuck on something.
• Seek Feedback: Don’t be shy to ask for feedback from your seniors. Feedback will tell you where you lack and how you can improve it.

Build a Business Analyst Portfolio

Showcasing your skills through a portfolio can help you stand out to potential employers. Uploading your projects, reports, or code to platforms like GitHub or similar portals demonstrates your expertise and problem-solving abilities. A well-executed project can highlight your skills and impress hiring managers.

5 Tips for Business Analysis Projects

• Choose a Focus Area – Pick a business analysis topic or a real-world problem you want to solve.
• Ask a Question – Define the key problem or challenge to address.
• Gather Data – Collect relevant information to analyze the issue.
• Solve with Data – Use analysis and numbers to find a solution, documenting your process.
• Present Your Findings – Create clear visualizations and explain your insights effectively.

By showcasing real-world impact, well-documented analysis, and effective solutions, your portfolio can highlight your expertise and make you a strong candidate for business analyst roles.

Specialized Paths on how to become a Business Analyst

The role of a business analyst isn’t one-size-fits-all. There are specialized paths you can pursue, each focusing on different areas of expertise.

IT Business Analyst

An IT Business Analyst focuses on improving the efficiency and effectiveness of IT systems. making it a key area for those wondering how to become a business analyst. They work closely with IT teams to identify technology needs, design solutions, and implement new systems or upgrades. If you’re curious about how to become a business analyst in a technical field. Proficiency in technical tools and an understanding of software development life cycles are crucial.

Process Analyst

A Process Analyst examines business processes and identifies opportunities for improvement, making it a great path for those wondering how to become a business analyst. They focus on streamlining operations, reducing costs, and increasing efficiency. Familiarity with process modelling tools and methodologies like Six Sigma is beneficial.

Financial Analyst

A Financial Analyst specializes in evaluating a company’s financial data making it a compelling avenue for those curious about how to become a business analyst. Strong skills in financial modelling, accounting, and Excel are key for this role.

Systems Analyst

A Systems Analyst works on integrating and managing a company’s computer systems. They ensure that IT systems meet the needs of the business. This role requires an understanding of system architecture, database management, and network security. Also, if you’re coming from a QA background, you might be interested in how to become a business analyst from a tester.

Who can become a Business Analyst?

Fresh MBA Graduates

If you are a recent MBA graduate looking to work as a business analyst, you will find plenty of chances if you have the necessary skills and certification.

MBA Students

Nowadays, many organizations prefer to hire recent MBA graduates as business analysts, although the competition is frequently fierce. As a result, students prefer to take certification courses in order to increase their chances of obtaining a business analyst position.

Software Developers, IT Analysts, and Testers

Every software engineer/developer and IT analyst/tester is well-versed in programming languages, which increases competition and makes it tough to acquire decent promotions. Professionals with business analysis skills can pursue a career as a business analyst and earn higher salaries. Career advancement in the business analysis profile is also possible if professionals can learn the necessary tools and skills in the field.

Data Analysts

Certified data analysts can easily transition to a business analyst position because the average compensation is higher, and the work is more flexible.

Sales professionals

Sales personnel desire to transition to a business analyst role because it offers opportunities for advancement and a break from the pressures of sales metrics and targets.

Transitioning from other Careers

Is starting from scratch the only way how to become a business analyst professionally? Definitely not! You can always easily transition from other professions. A lot of people are doing exactly the same to get higher paychecks, and here’s how you can do the same:

How to become a business analyst after engineering?

If you’re an engineer and wondering how to become a business analyst, you’ll need to get your basics straight. You enroll yourself in online courses like ECBA and other courses we’ve talked about in previous sections.

You can carry forward your analytical and problem-solving skills as an engineer to this new profession as you explore how to become a business analyst. Once you’ve completed your basic training, you can apply for entry-level business analyst jobs. Similarly, there are specific paths if you’re considering how to become a business analyst or how to become a business analyst in Salesforce.

Can you only transition to a business analyst role after engineering? Of course not. You can transition from any career, be it sales, accounting, IT, marketing, or business administration. The process for how to become a business analyst will be more or less the same, regardless of your background. Whether you are figuring out how to become a business analyst from a developer.

Advancing Your Career

You must focus on continuous growth and innovation to excel as a business analyst. Here’s how to become a business analyst and advance your career:

Network Actively: Build a strong professional network by connecting with industry leaders, attending conferences, and joining business analysis forums. Networking can open doors to new opportunities and provide valuable insights from experienced professionals.

Mentorship: Seek out mentors who can provide guidance and share their experiences. A mentor can offer personalized advice, help you navigate challenges, and support your professional development.

Specialize: Consider specializing in a particular industry or type of analysis. Specialization can make you an expert in a niche area, increasing your value to potential employers and clients.

Stay Informed: Stay current with industry trends, market shifts, and emerging technologies by reading industry publications, following thought leaders, and participating in relevant webinars.

Leadership Skills: Develop leadership skills by taking on more responsibility within your projects. Leading initiatives and managing teams can prepare you for senior roles and demonstrate your capability to drive business success.

Your Path to a Successful Career: How To Become a Business Analyst Starts Here

Going through this guide on how to become a business analyst, you must have noticed that you’ll need to put in a lot of work to become a business analyst successfully. Be it landing your first job without any experience, becoming a good business analyst, or advancing your career. There’s no alternative to hard work. If you do everything, we’ve talked about in this guide honestly, there’s a fat chance you’ll be working in top companies like Accenture, KMPG, PWC, etc. in the future.

The role of a business analyst is pivotal in driving business success. By identifying areas for improvement and proposing effective solutions, you can make a significant impact on your organization. If you’re wondering how to become a business analyst, Embrace the journey, stay curious, and keep pushing the boundaries of your knowledge and expertise. With these steps, you’ll be well on your way to a successful and fulfilling career as a business analyst.

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