5 essential traits of elite business analysts

If you’re interested in data and how it relates to business processes, a career as a business analyst (BA) might be for you. Business analysis will enable you to spend your days burrowing into numbers and emerging with nuggets of insight. You will need to really know your data to succeed. But as experienced business analysts will tell you, there’s much more to it than that. The ability to make data come alive for human beings — particularly those in management — is crucial. We spoke to a range of BAs (and those who work with them) about what differentiates a superior analyst from the pack. The answers will help you set your priorities for advancing in your career, and will provide insight into what day-to-day life is like in this increasingly in-demand job.