![[Featured image] A female business analyst interviews a female employee. Both have their laptops in front of them.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/5vfQELyaDvsspcLpsigHEy/ec1810ecd32ac851a47d952a4f5d1e5d/dat_analyst_vs_business_analyst.png?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
Business Analyst vs. Data Analyst: What’s the Difference?
Learn how data analysts and business analysts work with data to drive better business decisions (and find out which might be a better career fit for you).
April 16, 2021
Article
Start Your Business Analyst Career
Business analysts use data to identify ways that businesses can improve efficiency, reduce costs, or strengthen processes. Learn how to get started in this growing career path.
![[Featured image] A business analyst stands in an office hallway holding a laptop computer as they prepare for a meeting.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/2Ryrw0DOjSsU1LdasXCkil/032bec22303d79aaaf51bf6eda3dd44f/GettyImages-1217242446-used-Google.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
Grow key business analysis skills
Status: Free
Johns Hopkins University
Skills you'll gain: Risk Modeling, Regression Analysis, Microsoft Excel, Business Analytics, Business Modeling, Data Modeling, Business Analysis, Risk Management, Resource Allocation, Analysis, Statistical Analysis, Mathematical Modeling, Process Optimization, Financial Analysis, Spreadsheet Software, Transportation Operations
Status: New AI skills
Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Rmarkdown, Data Visualization, Data Presentation, Interactive Data Visualization, Data Ethics, Interviewing Skills, Data Cleansing, Data Validation, Ggplot2, Tableau Software, Presentations, Spreadsheet Software, Data Analysis, Data Visualization Software, Dashboard, Sampling (Statistics), Analytics, R Programming, Stakeholder Management
Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Requirements Elicitation, Risk Mitigation, Business Analysis, Business Process Modeling, Data Presentation, Risk Analysis, Process Optimization, Data Visualization, Requirements Management, Risk Management, Business Requirements, Stakeholder Management, Work Breakdown Structure, Scope Management, Process Analysis, Stakeholder Engagement, Excel Formulas, Microsoft Excel, Analysis
A business analyst uses data to discover new business insights for a company. They typically focus on improving efficiency and effectiveness, and may work across all areas of business, including IT processes, organizational structure, or supply chain management.
At the entry-level, a business analyst may participate in team efforts to identify and prioritize an organization’s functional and technical needs, use SQL and spreadsheet software to conduct data analysis, and create data visualizations and financial models in order to address crucial business questions.
Similar and adjacent roles include IT business analysts, data analysts, business data analysts, supply chain analysts, and business intelligence analysts.
Learn more about entry-level careers in business analysis:
