You’re a business analyst who needs to get the job done. What tools should you use?

There are plenty of tools aimed at aiding data manipulation for analysis. We can choose Python programming for any kind of data cleaning. SQL is also convenient for data manipulation. However, when the data size is small, we can even use Excel for data preparation. Last but not least, we can use a variety of tools for data visualization, such as Power BI, Tableau, PowerPoint, as well as Python programming and R. The choice of tools could vary depending on the data analysis requirements.

1. Microsoft Excel 2. SQL (Structured Query Language) 3. Data Visualization Tools: Tableau, Power BI, or QlikView 4. Statistical Analysis Software: R or Python (with libraries like NumPy, Pandas, and SciPy) 5. Business Intelligence (BI) Platforms: MicroStrategy, IBM Cognos, or SAP 6. Requirements Management Tools: JIRA, Trello, or Microsoft Azure DevOps. 7. Collaboration Tools: Tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, or Zoom 8. Prototyping Tools: Prototyping tools like Axure RP or Balsamiq 9. Document Management Systems: Systems like SharePoint or Google Drive 10. Version Control Systems: Version control tools like Git or SVN 11. Text Analytics Tools: Tools like IBM Watson or Google Cloud Natural Language Processing

Data Analysis Tools: Excel: Widely used for data manipulation, analysis, and visualization. SQL: Essential for querying databases and extracting relevant data. Python/R: For advanced data analysis, statistical modeling, and machine learning tasks. Tableau/Power BI: For creating interactive dashboards and visualizations to communicate insights effectively. Project Management Tools: Trello: Helps in organizing tasks and workflows using boards. Asana: Great for managing projects, tracking tasks, and collaborating with teams. Jira: Particularly useful for Agile development projects, offering issue tracking and project management capabilities.

A escolha da ferramenta sempre depende do objetivo a ser alcan?ado, deve-se entender o contexto de negócio e avaliar o tempo/custo de implementa??o, n?o adianta criar uma estrutura com as melhores ferramentas de mercado, alto custo com cloud, se no final das contas o retorno a médio/longo prazo for inferior ao valor investido com seus devidos reajustes.

Process modeling tools is vary based on your purpose, sometimes you just need to show the model for stakeholders to know about process, this time you can use Visio, Visual paradigm etc and this model is a logical model.But sometimes you want to implement the model on a BPMS , you need to use some other software like bizagi, camunda, process maker ..., this model must be a physical model.

- First, consider how well the tool integrates with software already in use within your organization. - Second, balance the need for advanced features against the tool’s learning curve. Tools like Lucidchart may be favored for their user-friendliness, while Visio or Bizagi Modeler might be chosen for their comprehensive feature sets. - If your process modeling work involves multiple stakeholders or teams, prioritize tools that offer strong collaboration features.

Microsoft Visio: Widely used for creating diagrams, flowcharts, and process maps. Visio offers a range of templates and shapes tailored for process modeling. Lucidchart: A cloud-based diagramming tool that allows collaborative process modeling. It offers various templates, including flowcharts, BPMN diagrams, and organizational charts. When selecting a process modeling tool, consider factors such as ease of use, collaboration features, compatibility with existing systems, and scalability. It's also essential to ensure that the chosen tool aligns with your organization's process modeling standards and methodologies.

Jira: Widely used for agile project management, Jira offers robust features for capturing and managing requirements in the form of user stories, epics, and tasks. It allows teams to prioritize, track, and update requirements seamlessly. Confluence: Often used in conjunction with Jira, Confluence provides a collaborative environment for documenting and sharing project requirements, specifications, and other related documentation. It integrates well with Jira, enabling teams to link requirements to project tasks and issues. When selecting a requirements management tool, consider factors such as the specific needs of your project, team size, collaboration requirements, integration capabilities with other tools, and budget constraints.

One of the tools that I use on a regular basis is MS List or SharePoint. It can help keep track of projects, stakeholders, dates. It can even store attachments which can help with keeping task documentation in one location. It is also simple to connect the List to a Power Automate which can send out reminders, update items automatically, or back up data on a recurring basis. I also use planner which can help easily keep track of smaller projects as a shared to do list. This can help keep others accountable for the due dates as well.

Microsoft Teams or Slack: These platforms facilitate real-time communication and collaboration among team members. Features like instant messaging, file sharing, and video conferencing enhance collaboration and streamline communication, allowing for quick decision-making and problem-solving. Trello or Asana: These project management tools help in organizing tasks, setting deadlines, and tracking progress. They offer features like task assignment, customizable workflows, and kanban boards, which enable effective project coordination and transparency among team members. Google Workspace (formerly G Suite): Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides are essential for collaborative document creation, data analysis, and presentation development.

Slack: Slack is a popular messaging platform that allows teams to communicate in real-time through channels, direct messages, and group conversations. It also integrates with various other tools and services, allowing for seamless collaboration. Zoom: Zoom is a video conferencing tool that enables teams to hold virtual meetings, webinars, and conference calls with high-quality video and audio. It also offers features like screen sharing, chat, and recording. Google Workspace (formerly G Suite): Google Workspace provides a suite of productivity tools, including Gmail, Google Drive, Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Slides, and Google Meet.

Selenium: This open-source automation testing tool is widely used for web application testing. It allows business analysts to create and execute automated tests across different browsers and platforms, ensuring the functionality and reliability of web-based systems. JUnit or TestNG: These Java-based testing frameworks are commonly utilized for unit testing in software development projects. Business analysts can use these tools to write and execute automated unit tests, validate individual components of the application, and identify any defects early in the development lifecycle.

Coursera: Coursera partners with universities and organizations to offer courses, specializations, and degrees in business analysis-related fields. Learners can enroll in courses covering topics such as business analytics, data science, agile project management, and business process management. Books and E-books: Reading books and e-books is another effective way to learn about business analysis concepts, methodologies, and techniques. There are many books available on topics such as requirements analysis, data analytics, process improvement, and business modeling, written by renowned authors and practitioners in the field.

LinkedIn Learning: LinkedIn is more formal and structured learning. It offers a wide range of topics anything from technical programs (Power BI, Visio, Excel, ect) to general skills (Project Management, Leadership Qualities, ect) Most courses have quizzes or knowledge checks, which can be helpful in ensuring you are retaining the information. YouTube: YouTube is more informal and as such can be more user friendly. However, it is hard to determine which video will be beneficial. Most of the time I use YouTube to troubleshoot issues with technical programs such as Power BI, Power Apps, Power Automate. It is helpful to get a step by step when you are trying to use more technical languages like DAX and M.

Communication: Business analysts need to communicate effectively with stakeholders at all levels of the organization. This includes listening actively, asking probing questions, conveying complex information in a clear and concise manner, and adapting communication style to different audiences. Problem-solving: Business analysts are often tasked with identifying and solving complex problems within the organization. They need to be able to analyze situations, gather relevant information, and propose viable solutions that address the underlying issues.