Data Analysis in Business Analysis

How to analyze data to understand business problems

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Business analysts use a variety of techniques to analyze problems, understand their root cause, and help business stakeholders define and build the solutions.

While process modelling and asking questions is often front and center when we talk business analysis, data analysis is no less important.

What is data analysis? The definitions will vary depending on the context and the field (statistics, scientific research, business analytics, management analysis etc.)

Let’s start with these two:

“Data analysis is the process of transforming raw data into usable information” — OECD

“Data analysis is the process of examining information, especially using a computer, in order to find something out or to help with making decisions.” — Cambridge dictionary

How can data analysis be useful for business analysis activities?

Understanding business data

A business analyst needs to understand the business, the context of the business problem, essential business processes and applications that support them.