How important is it to code for a career in business analytics?

Business analysts aren’t usually expected to know how to code. On the other hand, some firms are on the lookout for a techno-functional business analyst. In my opinion, a general familiarity of SQL (though not at programming level) is always good.

A techno-functional business analyst does not develop code on a daily basis but has a thorough understanding of how the system functions both technically and functionally. As a result, when gathering requirements, be aware of the system’s capabilities and limits. This helps manage customer expectations because clients want to know what is and is not achievable upfront rather than 2–3 months later during the development period.

A techno-functional business analyst can provide an eyeball estimate of the project’s cost. This is because engaging the development team for a ballpark estimate is not always possible.

A techno-functional business analyst’s skill set should include an analysis of any technical difficulties that affect the system’s functionality.

A techno-functional business analyst can facilitate meetings with third-party software vendors and assess the return on investment of product purchase in terms of integrating with an in-house product.