If you enjoy data analysis, becoming a business operations analyst could be the ideal position. It requires both hard and soft skills.
An important function of a business operations analyst is identifying operational problems and potential concerns for discussion with management and stakeholders.
Analyzes Business Processes
Business operations analysts use technology and analysis to help their companies perform daily business processes more effectively. A key aspect of their job is identifying inefficient or non-functional processes and devising ways to enhance them; this may involve restructuring workflow, increasing resources or changing communication strategies.
An analyst conducts a thorough assessment of staff to ensure their roles align with company goals and are necessary. He or she also creates queries and stored procedures to retrieve data for reports that require advanced inferential techniques.
Once performing a thorough assessment of a process, an analyst works with team members to create an improvement plan. This may involve creating new workflows which are documented through flow charts or other visual resources; improving KPI metrics; or even finding cost savings such as redundant tasks or time spent searching for documents. They then assist the organization with implementing these new plans.
Creates Reports
Business analysts generally spend most of their time conducting research and collecting information, before compiling reports for other departments or stakeholders based on industry requirements such as warehouse operations, budgetary matters or customer-centric solutions.
Data analysis and collection require significant time, which means business analysts often have tight deadlines. Therefore, it is crucial that these professionals can work efficiently so they can meet their responsibilities without delay.
To do this effectively, business analysts require an easy reporting tool that gives them real-time data and valuable insights in an instant. Databox makes this possible, enabling business analysts to easily create interactive digital dashboards in minutes which make raw data come alive – helping identify issues within operations while taking preventative steps that save both time and money while improving revenue and productivity.
Recommends Changes
Recommending changes to processes, systems and procedures based on business needs; providing monthly reports to decision-makers for approval; helping departmental leaders implement new policies, procedures and processes when necessary.
Communicates data nuances and insights clearly to all levels of management in an understandable manner. Draft reports that evaluate actual results against budget as well as proposed business strategies.
Responsible for designing business reporting solutions using Microsoft Power BI and Portal reporting tools. Provided analytical support for revenue recognition and bookings while performing audits to identify billing discrepancies. Ensured reporting was in compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) mandates while supporting with ad hoc information requests and CORE requests; assisted with new data center buildout as well as expansion efforts; managed capital hardware purchases/inventory.
Assists Management
Business operations analysts work alongside management to implement changes and train employees on new processes. Depending on their industry, business operations analysts could be involved with warehouse operations, budget reporting, customer-facing solutions or other projects. Excellent communication skills are a must, along with being adept at analyzing complex data sets.
Companies becoming more data-driven require professionals such as business operations analysts to make sense of all the data coming their way, leading them to seek professional help from business operations analysts – making for high demand and lucrative salaries.
Though they share many similar skills, business operations analysts and reporting analysts differ considerably in their duties and responsibilities. Reporting analysts specialize in handling data to produce executive-ready quantitative and qualitative analyses for managers or clients while business operations analysts focus on improving a company’s overall efficiency and pinpointing areas where improvement should occur.