BRIEF INTRODUCTION
A business process analyst is a specialised role that is becoming more critical to the success of companies.
Tasked with analyzing, evaluating and optimising a business’s processes, their role is devoted to assessing things and making them as good as they can be.
Business process analysts tend to liaise with many departments within an organization, such as IT teams and customers, digesting the information they obtain and redesigning operations accordingly, all with the aim of boosting a company’s profits.
If you want to learn more about what it takes to become a business process analyst, this guide is for you. Below, you can explore in greater depth what the role involves, how it compares to others, what key skills are needed for the job, and how you can qualify for the role. We also provide useful information on salary. Let’s begin with the basics.
What Does A Business Process Analyst Do?
In short, a business process analyst’s role involves examining existing operations and looking for ways to make them better.
To achieve this, the analyst has to liaise and work closely with different department leaders, management teams and technical teams to develop and implement improvements.
Below, you can find an example of a typical job description for a business process analyst, but on a day-to-day basis, they generally perform:
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- Mapping out and documenting processes
- Analyzing workflows to detect inefficiencies
- Recommending solutions such as automation, software integration, or process redesign
- Facilitating stakeholder meetings and workshops
- Managing process change implementations and providing training and support
- Measuring process performance post-implementation
So, as you can see, a business process analyst is focused heavily on systems and operations and how efficiently they run. There are similar roles in organizations, however, and there can be confusion. Let’s clear that up.
Business Analyst vs Business Process Analyst
A common role in companies is a business analyst (BA), but they aren’t the same as a business process analyst.
A business analyst’s role is gathering and interpreting stakeholder requirements for various projects. This may involve conducting surveys, interviews or assessing data from management systems.
On the other hand, a business process analyst specifically targets the improvement and optimization of organizational workflows.
So in short, a business analyst has a broader role which can involve day-to-day data analysis and project management tasks, whereas business process analysts concentrate on process mapping, streamlining operations, and implementing continuous improvement methodologies.
A Typical Business Process Analyst Job Description
We’ve discussed some of the functions and responsibilities of a business process analyst. To give you a clearer idea of what the job involves, here’s a sample of a typical job description for a job advertisement. It should give you a good idea of what to expect:
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- Identifying, documenting, and analyzing existing business processes
- Collaborating with stakeholders to gather insights and define improvement goals
- Designing and proposing optimized process solutions
- Working with IT teams to develop and deploy solutions
- Conducting training sessions and workshops for stakeholders
- Monitoring and reporting on the effectiveness of implemented processes
- Utilizing continuous improvement methods (such as Lean, Six Sigma) to sustain efficiencies
What Typical Tools Do Business Process Analysts Use?
To help complete the functions we’ve described above, it’s necessary for business process analysts to use specialized tools. Different tools are designed to help with different processes.
For example, if you’re looking for support with process modeling as well as helping with diagramming, tools like Visio and Lucidchart would be the go-to options.
To help with workflow automations, tools like UiPath, Nintex and Kissflow are popular choices. Data analysis tools like Tableau and Power BI are also popular amongst analysts.
As for the project management side of the job, commonly used tools include Jira, Asana and Monday.com. They’re all popular and easy-to-use.
It’s important to be aware of these tools and what they do. In having this understanding, you’ll be able to practise and hone your skills, which will give you an extra advantage when it comes to applying for jobs.
The All-Important Salary: How Much Does A Business Process Analyst Make?
Before you embark upon degrees, studying and training to achieve your goal of becoming a business process analyst, it helps to have an idea as to whether or not the job will pay.
As with any job, it all comes down to experience and your ability to perform daily tasks. Other factors like your location and the industry you work in all play a role. For example, working in a busy city like San Francisco or New York for a tech company is likely to see you earn more than in a small-town accountancy firm in Ohio.
To give you an idea of average salaries, here’s a handy breakdown:
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- Entry level – $60,000 to $75,000 per year
- Mid-level – $80,000 to $90,000 per year
- Experienced with expertise and certifications – $120,000 to $140,000 and perhaps more
So with experience and skill, a business process analyst’s salary can be very rewarding indeed.
What Are The Most Important Skills You Need?
Now that you know all about working as a business process analyst, you may want to know what you need to become one. After all, it is a skilled role. Below, you can find a breakdown of the key skills you need, as well as details of the other skills that can make you a standout candidate.
Key Skills
To succeed in becoming a business process analyst, you need to ensure you have certain key skills. Some of the most essential include:
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- Analytical and critical thinking
- Process mapping and workflow analysis
- Effective communication with all types of people and facilitation
- Problem-solving capabilities
- Technical proficiency with business analysis tools
- Strong project management skills
- Familiarity with continuous improvement methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma)
Extra Positives To Have
In such a competitive business environment, it isn’t always enough to be able to do the job well. To attract those higher salaries you have to go above and beyond, and that’s where other skills and experience can come into play. Some other extra positives to have include:
- Certifications (CBAP, BPM Certification, Six Sigma Green or Black Belt)
- Experience with Agile methodologies
- Knowledge of specific industries or sectors
- Data analytics capabilities
How To Become A Business Process Analyst
You know what skills you need and what the job involves, so what steps do you need to take to become a business process analyst?
In short, you need a combination of good education, experience and specialist knowledge. We share more details on the education side below, but here’s a good insight into what you need to become a process analyst for businesses:
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- Obtain a relevant bachelor’s degree (Business Administration, Information Systems or Management)
- Gain experience in entry-level analytical or business roles
- Pursue relevant certifications such as Six Sigma, CBAP, or PMP
- Build proficiency with essential analytical and process modeling tools
What Are The Best Degrees For Business Process Analyst Jobs?
If you’re considering going to college and want to specialize in the field of process analysis, then there are some degrees you can pursue that will make your life much easier in the long run.
Some of the best degrees you can study include:
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- Bachelor’s or Master’s in Business Administration (MBA)
- Bachelor’s in Management Information Systems (MIS)
- Industrial Engineering
- Business Analytics
- Information Technology Management
If you don’t have a degree in any of the above, that doesn’t stop you. You may be able to take courses to help plug any gaps in knowledge, and nothing quite beats on-the-job experience too.
Examples Of Potential Interview Questions
If you’re training to be a business process analyst or you’re applying for jobs in the field, it always helps to be prepared. To give you an all-important head start, here are some common interview questions that you could get asked:
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- “Describe your process for analyzing an inefficient workflow.”
- “How do you handle resistance from stakeholders during process changes?”
- “Explain a successful process improvement initiative you led.”
- “What tools and methods do you use most frequently for process mapping and analysis?”
- “Can you provide an example of when you identified significant cost savings through process improvements?”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Below, you can find answers to different questions about the job of a business process analyst.
What is the difference between a business analyst and a business process analyst?
A business analyst often works across projects to gather requirements and understand business needs, while a business process analyst focuses on examining, improving, and optimizing workflows and processes within the organization.
What position is higher than business analyst?
Positions higher than a Business Analyst typically include Senior Business Analyst, Business Analysis Manager, Product Manager, Project Manager, Director of Business Analysis, or Chief Operating Officer (COO), depending on organizational structure.
What is the top-end salary for a business analyst?
The top-end salary for a highly experienced business analyst in the US often ranges between $110,000 to $140,000, with some specialized roles in certain industries (e.g., technology, finance) potentially exceeding these figures.