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Business Analyst vs. System Analyst: Differences and Similarities

Last Updated September 23, 2021

A pair of hands holding a pen writing on a piece of paper.

The terms “business analyst” and “business system analyst” are often used interchangeably to describe the same job. But the two are actually completely different positions, with distinct descriptions and duties. Here, we’ll explain the differences between business analysts and systems analysts, as well as a few commonalities the two professions share.

What Does a Business Systems Analyst Do?

Systems analysts utilize an organization’s IT systems to help achieve strategic business goals. They may design and develop new systems by configuring new hardware and software or use existing systems in new ways to accomplish additional or different outcomes.

Typical tasks performed by systems analysts include:

  • Consulting with management and users to determine the needs of the system
  • Designing a system to meet the business goals
  • Specifying inputs and formatting outputs to meet users’ needs
  • Using techniques such as sampling, model building, and structured analysis, along with accounting principles, to ensure the solution is efficient, cost-effective, and financially feasible
  • Developing specifications, diagrams and flowcharts for programmers to follow
  • Overseeing implementation, coordinating tests, and observing initiation of the system to validate performance

Education and Training Required for Business Systems Analysts

Most employers will look for at least a bachelor’s degree when hiring systems analysts, typically in a technical field such as computer science, information technology, engineering, or information systems. However, some prefer a business background combined with computer skills. Others seek industry-related experience, such as finance, telecommunications, or healthcare, along with technical skills.

In general, the systems analyst job requires more in-depth technical knowledge, while the business analyst position requires a better understanding of the complexities of business problems and using technology to solve them.

What Does a Business Analyst Do?

Business analysts generally possess technical knowledge as well. Their main focus is identifying opportunities for improving a business’s processes and using technology to eliminate problems that affect productivity, output, distribution, and ultimately, the bottom line. So, knowing how technology can solve business problems is vital to a business analyst’s success. These professionals require a high degree of specialized skills in order to solve business problems through a variety of typical job duties, including:

  • Analyzing the business processes in an organization for inefficiencies.
  • Making recommendations for solutions or improvements that can be accomplished through new technology or alternative uses of existing technology.
  • Acting as liaison between business stakeholders, such as management, customers or end users, and the software development or information technology team.
  • Analyzing and communicating stakeholder needs by translating business requirements into software requirements.
  • Documenting and evaluating required data and information.
  • Using modeling, testing and data models to improve the flow of information through an organization to enhance project success.

Education and Training Required for Business Analysts

Becoming a successful business analyst takes a special combination of technical skill and business acumen, along with a high degree of confidence – usually acquired as a result of proper education, business analysis training and experience. Many professional business analysts break into the field by earning a degree in information technology, business administration, finance, or a related area, or by working in human resources, management, or finance, and then pursuing specialized training. Industry certifications, such as the Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP®) designation by the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA®), are becoming more valuable, as employers increasingly demand these respected credentials.

Skills and Attributes Required for Both Business Analysts and Systems Analysts

Strong problem-solving and analytical skills, communication and interpersonal skills, and the ability to focus with close attention to detail are required in both the business analyst and systems analyst professions. A business analyst needs a broad base of business knowledge and sharply honed essential skills, while the systems analyst’s skill set is more technology-specific.

Outlook and Salary for Business Analysis and Systems Analyst Jobs

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts both the business analyst and systems analyst fields will expand employment in years to come – and much faster than the average of all other careers. Still, competition for positions will be tough, partly because of the salaries earned. The latest Occupational Outlook Handbook data from the BLS lists the average salary for computer systems analysts as $87,220, while management/business analysts annual salaries came in at $81,330 on average.

A Systems Analyst is Not the Same as a Business Analyst

While there are some common skills and knowledge requirements between systems analysts and business analysts, the business analyst profession requires an entirely different set of core specialty skills involving eliciting, analyzing, communicating, testing, and verifying requirements, plus the ability to identify opportunities to solve business problems and improve processes. Business analysts are functional experts who work for change and improvement, helping organizations reach their strategic goals through continual, successful technology improvements.

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