How can you succeed as a BI analyst?

Mastery of tools such as Power BI, Tableau, SQL, Excel, and various BI tools is essential. Furthermore, possessing domain knowledge in the business you're providing intelligence for is crucial. Critical thinking plays a vital role in the analysis. Understanding various categories of analytics and knowing when to apply them for suitable solutions is imperative. Always conduct comparisons; descriptive numbers should be evaluated in relation to something, be it Actual Vs. Budget, Competitors, or other relevant benchmarks.

Learn the required skills in a chronological order. >Statistics (Basics) >MS Excel (Basics to intermediate), practice with sample data >SQL (Basics to pro level), learn SQL Server / MySQL, etc and practice with sample dataset by installing respective database >Power BI / Tableau (Basic to Advance level), learning by practicing helps easy to crack interview as well >Having domain knowledge(like Finance, Retail, Manufacturing,etc) >Analytical thinking >Problem solving approach >Soft skills >Communication skills >Project Management >Understanding business

Melhor forma de dar os primeiros passos: - Aprendizado Técnico: definir as ferramentas que deseja se desenvolver. Hoje sempre indico começar pelo Power BI e Excel, posteriormente noções básicas de SQL. - Desenvolver projetos práticos: o foco ao longo da sua jornada de estudo deve ser através de resolução de problemas. Empresas buscam profissionais que saibam resolver problemas e não apenas mexer em ferramentas. Isso também vai ajudar no desenvolvimento das suas softskills. - Cumprir os 3 pilares no desenvolvimento de qualquer projeto: Assertividade (informações corretas), Design (primeira impressão é a que fica) e Funcionalidade (recursos que são capazes de garantir a melhor experiência para o seu cliente).

To understand a business domain, think about how the business makes money and all the possible factors surrounding that. Let's try some: How does an airline make money? How does a school make money? How does a hospital make money? Remember, answer the question plus the possible factors surrounding it. Eg, A school makes money through students. Potential students will pay application fees, get admitted or rejected. Admitted students will pay admission fees or default. Admitted students will be assigned a course and a department. They'll pay their school fees or default....etc. You'll have an idea what to expect in a school dataset and the kind of analysis that should be useful.

Imagine you're an explorer in a new land. To be great at it, you've got to learn everything about this place. That's what understanding your domain is all about. So, as a BI analyst, you're like an explorer of your company's world. You need to know the important stuff – the numbers that matter, how things work, what's tricky, and where the exciting opportunities are. It's like knowing the map of your company's journey. But it's not just about the place; it's also about the people who live there. You want to understand what makes them happy, what's tough for them, and what they expect. That way, you can be like a tour guide, showing them exactly what they need to see.

In the beginning of your career becoming proficient in SQL, Power Bi, Tableau and Excel is key. I would also add knowing a little bit about cloud computing such as Azure or AWS.

To master tools, you need hours. Study hours, practice hours and experience hours. These are my approach to mastering any tool. Study hours include classes, courses, YouTube, blogs, articles, books etc. Technology advances fast so one can't stop learning even what has been mastered. Practice hours can be gained through practice exercises, personal projects and very importantly, answering questions from community forums. Experience hours are the richest because they are real and actual work experiences. However, the first two earlier mentioned are the backbones of Experience hours.

Excel is crucial because, at times, it helps in grasping SQL concepts. Similarly, for verifying calculations in the filter context in Power BI, I turn to Excel. Therefore, Excel, SQL, and Power BI are the most important and fundamental tools for Data Analytics and BI. Once you secure a job, it's beneficial to delve into at least one orchestration tool like ADF or AWS Glue to automate pipelines. As companies shift towards big data, learning a cloud technology, starting with an orchestration tool, becomes significant. Afterward, you have two paths: one involving learning basic Python, progressing to libraries like Pandas, NumPy, and PySpark. Alternatively, you can explore Power Automate and Power Apps.

Very well written article. A couple of additional points. A BI analyst should not only understand their domain but also master the data for the domain. They should be the functional expert that is partnering with the data engineering team to make the data better. The ROI of the work is usually done at the overall org level tying back to OKRs etc. If you are doing good work mostly your immediate stakeholders know it and often they do pass on the feedback. Lastly, usually for senior analysts managing change is also an important aspect of their job.

To complement mastering your tools, it's essential to also emphasize the significance of data literacy. As a BI analyst, you need to not only excel in using the tools but also be fluent in the language of data. This means understanding data structures, recognizing patterns, and being capable of extracting meaningful insights from data. Additionally, honing your data storytelling skills is crucial, as it enables you to convey the significance of your findings to stakeholders in a compelling and actionable manner.

Presentation Skills. Business Intelligence Analysts need to build up their presentation skills otherwise someone else will take the shine for the work you’ve done and your place might end up being at the backend crunching data always. Being able to explain the what and why of your report to key stakeholders is a valuable skill. They are not just looking for the numbers. They will appreciate insights and intelligence that can be derived from the numbers. Anyone who helps them figure out this insights is much more appreciated than the one who gives the number. Advice: take a practical step to practice presenting your work. First to your immediate team and gradually you will be better prepared when a bigger opportunity shows up.

In my experience, communicating the value of BI solutions is a critical aspect of succeeding as a BI Analyst. Effective communication doesn't stop at the initial implementation. It's an ongoing process Example : In a project for an FMCG company, Implementing a BI solution that streamlined their inventory management process. By accurately predicting demand patterns and optimizing procurement, we can significantly reduce excess inventory levels while ensuring products were consistently available on shelves. By consistently and effectively communicating the tangible benefits and return on investment of our BI solutions, we can build a strong level of trust and credibility with our stakeholders

💡 O sucesso de um projeto depende do entendimento do problema e de quem utilizará a solução! 👉 Depois disso que definimos o processo, as ferramentas e análises! Um bom analista consegue identificar a melhor ferramenta para cada solução!

Vejo a comunicação como um pilar fundamental para profissionais de BI, e que vai além de apenas comunicar seu valor. Desde o início de qualquer iniciativa é necessário saber falar a linguagem do negócio e entender com clareza as necessidades/dores da área sendo capaz de traduzir para a linguagem técnica materializando entregas através das ferramentas. Tão importante quanto comunicar o valor de suas entregas, através de um bom storytelling e análises, é ser capaz de compreender o problema de forma adequada.

As a BI Analyst, Effective Communication is a core skill needed to convey ACTIONABLE INSIGHTS to stakeholders in a way that's easy to understand. I like to subdivide BI Communication Skills into 3: 1. Written Communication 2. Verbal Communication 3. Visual Communication Avoiding technical language or Statistical jargon is key to effective communication of business insights & recommendations. Know how to tell a contextual data story that's compelling, engaging, and meaningful. Use visuals that are easy to read and understand at a glance (within 3 to 5 seconds). Avoid complex visuals by all means! Bar Charts, Pie/Doughnut Charts and Line Charts are easy to understand, but Box Plots, Ribbon Charts, and Spider Diagrams are complex.

As a BI Analyst you always need to keep yourself updated with all the latest advancements, learn about them and keep on upgrading yourself. Continuous learning  and improvement will- a) Help you to be a better version of yourself in terms of knowledge b) Help you to have new perspectives to approach your day to day tasks c) Help you to solve business problems with a better solution d) Help you to compete with other BI professionals for better career growth So keep learning and keep growing!!

In my experience For being a good BI analyst spend time understanding business domain and strategy, expected business outcomes. Spend some time getting an overview of data architecture. Understand data patterns and be aware of the tool sets. Be ready to learn and unlearn in this space. Collaborate with different types of users and stakeholders.

Best way to take the first steps: - Technical Learning: define the tools you want to develop. Today I always recommend starting with Power BI and Excel, followed by basic SQL concepts. - Developing practical projects: the focus throughout your study journey should be on problem solving. Companies look for professionals who can solve problems, not just use tools. This will also help in developing your soft skills. - Adhering to the 3 pillars in the development of any project: Accuracy (correct information), Design (first impression matters), and Functionality (features that ensure the best experience for your client).

As Business Intelligence to stay relevant, my advice is: don't forget where you come from, the "back end" is more appreciated nowadays than pretty visualizations. The skills of data engineers are essential.

Learn as much as you can from the user community and the way in which the BI you generate impacts on customers and the business overall. Only then can you be in a position to proactively develop and serve insight independently and grow beyond purely delivering against set requirements

Creativity and Curiosity are functions of the state of the mind. This probably will not make it into the list you'll see around but sleep, rest, diet and exercise will help massively here. If you have ever tried solving a problem all day without success, only to have the solution first thing in the morning after sleeping. Then you should understand the power of rest and sleep.

An example is, how do explore graphic design tools to deliver impressive yet insightful dashboards to your end user? I have in many instances used figma to create background page for my dashboards and end users have found them impressive and insightful. This can form part of creativity in how else we can leverage other tools to deliver BI end products.

If you have to use Pie Charts, consider grouping minimal amounts into one category. For example, if you have age disease profiles where 72 different diseases add to represent <10% of the total, then group that together, and list the 72 (if necessary) by way of reference to a back appendix. Flooding a pie chart with numbers, percentages, and titles achieves little, if any, messaging impact.

Dos grandes habilidades creatividad para desarrollar soluciones y curiosidad para buscar nuevas soluciones a lo que actualmente se realiza o a lo que no se realiza y se podría abordar desde el concepto de negocio.

Honestly, continuous curiosity is such a necessity in all tech fields and BI is no exception. I hate be blunt, but I think anyone would have a hard time in tech or BI without being driven to learn for knowledge’s sake. Curiosity may mean learning domain knowledge or learning tools and definitely means keeping up to date with changes in the BI field. Technology and industry are changing significantly every year and it’s extremely difficult to remain competitive in your career without staying up to date.

As a BI Analyst, balancing priorities is an art. Begin by understanding the core objectives of your project or organization. This clarity will serve as your North Star. Simultaneously, master the essential tools of your trade - Tableau, Power BI, SQL, to name a few. Proficiency in these enables efficient data handling and visualization. Immerse yourself in the specific domain you operate in. Whether it's finance, marketing, or healthcare, understanding the intricacies ensures your analysis is contextual and actionable. Communication is paramount. Translating complex data into understandable insights is a skill worth honing. It ensures that your findings are not only accurate but also accessible and impactful to stakeholders

Follow the pareto principle- focus on the 20% that will give you 80% of the result. Equally crucial is maintaining a delicate balance of priorities. BI can be fast-paced, but effective time management ensures you're always on top of your game. Identify high-impact tasks, delegate when feasible, and allocate your time judiciously. By harmonizing domain expertise and efficient task management, you're on the path to becoming a standout BI Analyst.

Balancing priorities is essential for a successful BI analyst. Here are some strategies to help you manage your time, resources, and expectations effectively: 1.Understand Organizational Goals 2.Use Prioritization Techniques 3.Set Clear Objectives 4.Break Down Projects 5.Time Blocking 6.Learn to Say No 7.Regularly Reassess Priorities 8.Effective Communication 9.Delegate When Appropriate 10.Celebrate Achievements 11.Self-Care By striking a balance between your tasks, projects, and personal well-being, you can optimize your productivity and contribute significantly to your role as a BI analyst.

Balancing priorities is pivotal for BI analysts as they navigate the intricate landscape of data, analysis, and stakeholder needs. In striving for simplicity in their work, BI analysts must also weigh the importance of thoroughness against the urgency of decision-making timelines. This delicate equilibrium requires a keen sense of prioritization—determining which data sets, analyses, and visualizations will yield the most significant impact with the clearest insight. This strategic approach not only optimizes resources but also enhances the BI analyst's role as a pivotal decision-support partner, adept at navigating the complexities of data to deliver straightforward, actionable insights that drive informed strategic actions.

Everyone focuses on building technical expertise and learning tools like spreadsheets, sql, PowerBi, tableau etc. One thing that isn’t spoken about often however is understanding business needs and knowing how to use data to solve them. One thing that has helped me in being valuable is taking time to understand how the business operates and helps me to better answer business questions. There have been times in my experience that the business has a challenge and I suggest how we can use data to solve the problem, and it’s always good for everyone. Being cognizant of overall company goals and making sure to tie all your work to it is also very key.

Hard skills get you the job, soft skills get you the career. Understand the ball park you're playing in. Keep it simple. Leave your ego at the door, your way isn't the only way

To succeed as a BI analyst, I prioritize understanding business goals and aligning data insights with strategic objectives. I excel in data visualization using tools like Power BI, ensuring clarity and impact in presenting findings. Regular communication with stakeholders helps refine data requirements and deliver actionable insights. Continuous skill enhancement in SQL querying, data modeling, and statistical analysis enables me to provide valuable, timely recommendations. Finally, staying adaptable to technological advancements ensures I leverage the latest tools for effective BI solutions.

To excel as a BI Analyst, it's not just about data, soft skills matter as well. Communication, both written and verbal, is essential- you must convey complex insights in a clear and understandable way Critical thinking and problem-solving are vital. In the world of data, you'll encounter challenges that require innovative solutions. Adaptability- BI and BI tools and techniques are ever-evolving. Collaboration and teamwork, as well as the ability to work independently, round out the skill set

Two things to also consider is to Keep abreast of the latest trends and technologies in BI. The field is rapidly evolving, so staying informed will help you adapt and innovate. Secondly, Continuously learning and refining your skills is important. Consider certifications in relevant tools and technologies and enhance your data analytics, visualization, and business acumen.