How to Start a Career as a Business Analyst in Australia

Business Analysts (BAs) are one of the most sought-after professionals in the world and this is not surprising as business analysts play a huge role in helping organisations towards profitability and efficiency.

They are change agents; with their role at the intersection of business stakeholders and technology teams, analysing business problems and delivering solutions that will address the needs.

Australia, similar to other developed country rely on tech companies and professionals to drive its prosperity, necesitating the need for Business analysts who can collaborate with diverse stakeholders to develop innovative solutions. Over the years, the profession has continued to thrive in Australia with competitive salaries with average salaries between AUD $105k to $115k according to Seek Australia.

Aside from the financial benefits of being a business analyst in Australia, you will also have the privilege of working in an enabling environment, contribute to meaningful projects that improve business processes, drive organizational success while developing critical skills crucial for career development.

At this point, I know you are eager to find out who a business analyst really is?  Let's dive right in:

Who is a Business Analyst (BA)?

A business analyst facilitates organizational change by identifying business problems, analysing business problems and then delivering solutions that maximize value for stakeholders. 

Simply put, they are a problem solver, a translator, a planner and a helper in a business environment acting as a bridge in order to ensure everything runs smoothly and efficiently. Sounds exciting? I bet!

Now that we know who a Business Analyst is, let's explore the

Steps required to become a Business Analyst

To begin anything in life, there are important considerations that would set you up for success. In this case there are 6 important things to consider that can get you started :

1. Gain an understanding of the career path.

2. Build and acquire skills and competencies

3. Develop a compelling online profile i.e. Optimised LinkedIn profile , Applicant tracking system compliant CV/Resume, Optimised Seek profile and other job platforms

4. Build interviewing skills such as crafting an elevator pitch, project ideas.

5. Gain work experience i.e. internships

6. Practice framework.

Understanding the Business Analyst Career Path

Aspiring business analysts must be willing to acquire and develop the skills essential for optimal performance in this role. There are different levels such as junior business analyst, business analyst, senior business analyst, and principal business analyst.

Depending on the organization, junior and senior business analysts may perform similar core functions, but their roles can differ in terms of leading teams, managing multiple concurrent projects, or handling critical projects.

The role of a business analyst is dynamic and multifaceted, providing a solid foundation for transitioning into various other analytical and leadership positions such as Product Owner (PO), Scrum Master(SM), Project Manager(PM), and more.

These roles share core competencies, including problem-solving, communication, and strategic thinking, analytical thinking to mention but a few. As you gain expertise in business analysis, you also build valuable knowledge and capabilities that are transferable to these related positions mentioned above, enabling career growth and diversification within the field.

You probably wonder what the metric is to deternmine the different levels. Here is a breakdown of each level:

Entry-Level Business Analyst (0-2 years of experience)

Entry-level positions primarily require an individual with basic understanding of business analysis principles, gathering and eliciting requirements, supporting senior analysts, strong communication and problem-solving skills amongst others.

As an entry-level business analyst, you will receive guidance and mentorship from your superiors. While traditionally, most companies required business analysts to have degrees in fields such as business, finance, economics, information technology, or related disciplines, many organizations are now valuing skills from diverse industries and are no longer strictly mandating these degrees.

As an entry-level business analyst you may be in roles such as:

·       Junior business analyst

·       Junior analyst

Mid-Level Business Analyst (2-5 years of experience)

Mid-level business analysts are required to have a solid understanding of business analysis techniques and tools, display proficiency in requirements gathering, process modeling,developing useful artefacts, faciilitate workshops and possess strong stakeholder management skills. Their roles may also involve leadership responsibilities, particularly in mentoring and guiding entry-level analysts through solving complex problems.

To be considered a mid-level business analyst, at least 2-5 years of work experience (varies company by company), in addition to your educational degree and relevant certifications.

As an mid-level business analyst you may be in roles such as:

• Business Analyst 

• Technical Business Analyst

•   Business architect 

Senior-Level Business Analyst (5-10 years of experience)

Senior-level business analysts make critical decisions and play strategic roles in an organisation.

Senior-level business analysts have an advanced knowledge of business analysis methodologies and considered experts in requirements elicitation, process improvement and strategic planning . They may be tasked with providing support and mentorship to other analyst with lesser years of experience.

As an senior-level business analyst you may be in roles such as::

·       Senior Business Analyst

·       Lead Business Analyst

·       Principal Business analyst

·       Technical Business Analyst

As a Business Analyst, you have the flexibility to pivot and explore various other roles within the industry. With your analytical skills, strategic thinking, and experience, you can transition into positions such as Change Manager, Scrum Master, Project Manager, or Product Owner.

Each of these roles leverages the core competencies you have developed as a business analyst, including problem-solving, leadership, communication, and the ability to drive projects to successful completion.

What are the essential skills for a Business Analyst?

Incase you are thinking about becoming a business analyst (BA) or you are already on that path, here are some of the must-have skills you will need to thrive in this role.

Analytical thinking and Problem Solving: You need to wear your detective hat! Wonder why? As a BA, you will be required to dve deep into identifying issues, opportunities, needs and figuring out solutions. i.e. imagine a trend in customer complaints and coming up with a new process that boots satisfaction

Communication Skills: Communication is key! So as a BA, whether you are engaging with the technical teams or explaining a new process to non-technical teams, you need to be clear and concise.

Technical Proficiency:Do not worry, you do not need to CODE, but having a grasp of analysing, mapping and documenting business processess is essential. You also need to understand the concept of the software development lifecycle (SDLC), the different methodologies, frameworks and concepts. Acquiring programming skills or learning SQL (structured query language) are not a must have skills for a business analyst.

Stakeholder Management: Stakeholder is a fancy word for people who are invested in or are impacted by something especially a business or project. In your life, your stakeholders may include your wife, husband, dad, church members etc. As a BA, you will interact with a bunch of different people so being good at stakeholder management means understanding their needs and keeping them happy.i.e. regualr updates to your stakeholders about project progress, addressing their issues or concerns promptly.

Requirement Gathering and Documentation: Recall when I said you had to wear your detective hat? Ok great, here you need to also add a bit of journalism here. As a BA, you will gather all necessary infromation from your stakeholders and document it in a succint and clear manner. This helps your stakeholders to understand what needs to be built.

Attention to Detail: As a business analyst, you need to pay attention to the little things by ensuring that every detail is correct and nothing is overlooked

Critical Thinking: You already do this today so dont stress. With your critcial thinking hat you are able to assess information and make informed decisions. You weight the pros, the cons and then choose the best path forward.

How do I learn business analysis?

There are several ways to develop the skills and competencies required to become a renowned business analyst. This may include self learning, bootcamps, online learning, or university education.

Now each learning channel offers unqiue benefits and challenges:

Self Learning: This allows you the flexibility to learn at your own pace, and schedule however due to lack of structure it presents, it can be challenging to ensure that you are covering all important topics comprehensively.

Bootcamps: Bootcamps are designed to allow you learn a lot in a short time, focusing on practical, hands-on skills and real world projects. They also provide you with opportunity to connect with real instructores and people on the same journey like you. Although, bootcamps cover a lot quickly, it requires a significant level of commitment

University Education: This provides a well-rounded education with in-depth theoretical concepts required however it may not necessarily prepare you fully with the confidence required as focus is on theory rather than the application of the concepts.

It is important to think about your preferred learning style, your personal circumstances and career goals when choosing your path way , but if you ask me the success rate of these learning pathway, I would say a blend of all three as adopted by SyncSkills has enabled successful transition and upskilling story for individuals who have embarked on a journey to build competencies as a Business Analyst.

Let's explore some certifications a Business analyst may acquire

For an aspiring business analysts there are several certifications that can be completed but before you rush out to get a bunch of certifications, ask yourself this question: "Do I have the skills and competencies required?" If your response is a 'Yes' then keep reading, if it is a 'No' then I suggest you explore ways of becomingg skilled. Certifications can be a nice addition to your resume, but they should not be your starting point.

Once you have built a solid foundation of skills, then it might be time to consider certifications to validate your knowledge and boost your credentials.

Here are some of the top certifications available for business analysts

• IIBA Entry Certificate in Business Analytics (ECBA)
  

• IIBA Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP)
  

• Professional Scrum Product Owner
  

• Professional Scrum Master
  

• PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PBA)
  

So, while certifications can definitely help you stand out, they should come after you've developed the essential skills that make you a great business analyst.

Start Your Business Analyst Career Today!

Thinking about a business analyst career in Australia? it is a fantastic opportunity to work flexibly, work remotely or work in a hybrid environment. It also allows you to earn well and build a future in a supportive environment.

So remember this!

• Understand the career path

• Acquire the skills and competencies

• Have a growth mindset

• Identify your preferred learning style

• Get certified

Do not Procrastinate, Take Action Now

The business analyst profession is here to stay. Don’t procrastinate—take the bold step today and enjoy the benefits of a rewarding career.

If you start your journey with the right mindset and the right training? You will be on your way to a successful business analyst career in Australia.