Data Analytics vs.

Business Analytics
Data analytics is a field that uses technology, statistical techniques and big data to
identify important business questions such as patterns and correlations. The
implementation of data analytics in an organization may increase efficiency in gathering
information and creating an actionable strategy for existing or new opportunities.  

Business analytics is focused on using the same big data tools as implemented with
data analysis to determine business decisions and implement practical changes within
an organization. Business analytics is implemented to identify weaknesses in existed
procedures and to surface data that can be used to drive an organization forward in
efficient and other measurements of growth.

It is important to understand the similarities and differences between these fields when
considering starting a career in either data analytics or a career in business analytics.
These fields will often share the same goal of increasing efficiency through data, but
their differences are key. The skills, interests and background needed to be successful
in these fields should be considered before you pursue one of these paths.

What is data analytics?

A data analyst is tasked with collecting, processing and analyzing how available data
can be used to discover important insights that can help businesses improve efficiency
or solve problems.

Data analysts spend their time working with data in various ways, throughout the data
pipeline. The role of data analytics involves mining data, cleaning data, applying
statistical techniques, designing programs and databases to manage data and fixing
bugs. In the data analytics process, data analysts need to be able to work with different
departments such as IT and management to determine goals and then report results in
a clear and meaningful way.

To become a data analyst a strong background in math, statistics, and computer

science are essential. A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in a STEM field with a strong
set of software skills including programming in R, Python, and/or SAS and relational
database management are required for almost all data analyst positions. You will also
be well-versed in data analysis tools that support data visualization, data collection,
crawlers that extract big data, and access databases.

In order to continue to advance in this field, you will likely need a masters or doctorate in
a related field.  Certificate programs and data science bootcamps can also go a long
way in preparing students for a career or masters program in data analytics.

What is business analytics?

A business analyst uses data to make practical, concrete decisions for a company. The
evolution of business analytics is on-going but is rooted in solving problems and
improving efficiency using a combination of data-driven insight, managerial strategies
and clear communication. By applying the insights that can be derived from data, they
work on the frontlines of the data pipeline. Business analysts should have a working
knowledge of statistical tools and programming as well.

Business analysts often come from backgrounds in management, business, IT,

computer science or related fields. Business analysis combines many different topics
and a diverse background is a great asset. In our interview with a business analyst for
Monster, Chris Hunder said “One day you may be looking into customer data points,
and another you might be focused on fresh data sets; however, solving unique
problems keeps it fun.”

In business analysis, effective communication can be important. In order to make

changes work, you must ensure that stakeholders understand the reasoning. In this way
business analysts can act as the middle-man or translator between data analysts,
executives and stakeholders.

Though some business analytics positions require only a bachelor’s degree, a masters
may be necessary to get upper level positions. There are many online graduate
programs in business analytics that could prepare you for these roles and maybe
maximize your earning potential. Learning more about business analytics tools such as
SWOT, Rational Requisite Pro from IBM, Blueprint, and Axure could be beneficial to
spruce up your resume.

What is the difference between data analytics and

business analytics?
Though these two fields do share a common goal, the skills needed and the strategies
used are different. Data analysts and business analysts both may have career options
from accounting analytics to working in public policy.

Compared to a data analyst, a business analyst works more with implementing changes
and communicating results rather than processing data and drawing conclusions. A
business analyst needs to focus more on the people and on the practical changes to be
made. Data analysts need to have a stronger understanding of programming, statistics
and data processing in order to effectively leverage the data available. Data analysts
are more likely to work independently while business analysts need to work directly with
people in different departments and roles.

The end goal of data and business analysis is the same. These fields both work to
improve businesses by leveraging data. They both require an understanding of
statistical techniques, data management strategies and data visualization. These roles
can work together to successfully discover and apply insights to businesses.
Data Analyst vs Business Analyst Jobs

For data analysts, their careers may be found in many different type of businesses
including post-secondary education, software development, e-commerce, finance,
government, and healthcare. Because the role of a data analyst involves skills that can
be applied to many different industries, data analysts may find themselves working for a
hospital, university, Fortune 500 company or a tech start-up.

Business analysts roles can be further divided into several different job titles: operations
research analyst, market research analyst or financial analyst. Each of these roles focus
on a primary department of a whole organization. Along the same lines as the need for
data analytic skills in different industries, business analysts may find their career in
many different types of companies.