Businesses, government agencies, and nonprofits regularly ask us how best to recruit for highly competitive tech roles, including those they might need but don’t already have.
We tell those companies the same thing we’ll share now: business analysts (BAs) are one of the most crucial, but often missing, roles. They are also one of the most in-demand positions in tech right now.
Read on to find out why BAs are critical to executing important IT projects—new products, large-scale migrations, digital transformation—and what to look for when hiring one.
What business analysts do and why they are important
Business analysts play an important (and often under appreciated) role in enhancing business value. They straddle the line between end-user experiences and operational execution, providing data-driven recommendations vital to improving processes, products, and outcomes.
BA contributions are especially crucial during periods of great change, like today’s age of digital transformation, where greater agility and reduced costs create a distinct competitive advantage.
That’s why modern business analysts are well-versed in user-centered and self-service platforms, environmental, social, and governance (ESG) programs, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. It’s also why they are in high demand.
In Canada, specifically, demand will outweigh supply for some time to come. Canada’s Job Bank statistics share that over 2019-2028, there will be an expected 113,000 job openings for information systems analysts and consultants, while only 98,700 new job seekers are expected to hit this particular market.
Currently, there are approximately 14,800 business analyst job openings in Canada, and skills in this field are expected to see a 2.5% annual growth rate over the next decade.
So, it’s never too early to start planning for how a business analyst can benefit your team.
Four top projects handled by business analysts
When it comes to Canadian tech initiatives, we’ve seen four distinct types of projects rise to the top in terms of where business analysts are adding the most value.
A successful ERP deployment consists of many moving parts that require a clear roadmap. Business analysts work as part of the team that defines the project’s vision, develops its use cases, and carefully maps these to each business objective.
Today’s BAs understand the crucial role of cybersecurity in business success. As digital acceleration and the shift to remote/hybrid work continue driving demand for security upgrades, so too will demand rise for teams (with BAs) to implement them.
Successful digital transformation projects lead to long-term gains. What contributes to success? Informed, data-driven business analysis resulting in improved business efficiency, a better customer experience, and the creation of new revenue streams.
BAs are process improvement experts, using methodologies like ADKAR and Lean to implement stronger change management practices across an organization. The result is measurably better outcomes, especially for larger, enterprise-wide projects.
Two distinct types of analyst positions
As you consider an analyst for your next tech initiative, keep in mind that the type of analyst needed depends on the deliverables involved. Analyst sub-specialties run the gamut from statistics, to support, to research and beyond. But all fall under one of two distinct categories:
Business Analyst. Acts as a bridge between business stakeholders and the development team, assuring communication throughout the project lifecycle.
Systems Analyst. Takes communicated IT or software requirements and translates them into viable end-user solutions.
A business analyst will focus on the broader context of business changes and systems development for a business. A systems analyst will focus on system-specific requirements that align more directly with the technology side of the organization.
The type and scope of project you plan to implement will dictate whether you need one or both categories of analyst.
What to look for in a business analyst
Now that you have a better idea of what business analysts do, let’s look at what to consider when searching for a highly skilled analyst.
Six hard skills every business analyst should have
While the typical BA skill set can be quite broad, there are six top skills we’re seeing in high demand:
Agile project delivery: delivery and management of tech projects in a way that prioritizes continuous improvement, collaboration, and iterative gains
Software development lifecycle: planning, analysis, design, building, testing, deployment, and maintenance to accelerate production of high-quality software
Business case development: the early-stage why, what, how, and who that determines if a project is worthwhile
Business process re-engineering: real-time workflow adjustments implemented as needed to improve product output, quality, and cost control
Data analysis: reviewing and modeling raw data to draw accurate conclusions that inform successful decision-making throughout a project lifecycle
Use case modeling: functional design created to represent a discrete interaction between a user and the new system being developed
Four soft(er) skills every business analyst should develop
In addition to hard skills, there are a number of soft skills common amongst successful BAs. We recommend looking for these four, in particular, in the next analyst you hire:
Emotional intelligence
Commitment to stakeholder engagement
Excellent communication
AI expertise
Top business analyst certifications
BAs are required to hold a bachelor’s degree in business, management, accounting, statistics, or computer science—but employers want more.
They need analytical and critical thinking skills, and those willing to keep pace with evolving requirements. Be sure your next BA holds some (or all) of the following credentials:
Certified Business Analyst Professional (CBAP)
Business Data Analytics (CBDA)
Entry Certificate in Business Analysis (ECBA)
Competency in Business Analysis (CCBA)
Agile Analysis Certification (AAC)
Certification in Business Data Analytics (IIBA-CBDA)
IQBBA Certified Foundation Level Business Analyst (CFLBA)
Advanced (CALBA)
IREB Certified Professional for Requirements Engineering (CPRE) — Engineering
PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PBA)
Creating competitive compensation: analyst salaries in Canada
Experienced business analysts can pay off in big dividends for your company. However, attracting top BA talent means understanding how to create a competitive compensation package that appeals to in-demand candidates.
Knowing what you’re up against in the market is the first step in determining what salary range to offer. Here are the current pay averages to keep in mind for each type of analyst role across multiple experience levels:
Junior Business Analyst: $68,250
Mid-level Business Analyst: $98,479
Senior Business Analyst: $124,950
Access the full staffing guide for a deeper dive
Now that you understand the value of a business analyst, download the Guide to Staffing Project Management & Business Analyst Talent for helpful tools and insights to understand the current landscape and develop a staffing strategy that works for your organization.
