Data Analytics Vs. Business Analytics

Data analytics entails analysing data to uncover helpful insights and alter business processes for the better. On the flip side, business analytics interprets various information to make data-driven and functional business decisions.

Smaller companies often use both titles interchangeably. As such, they may employ a single person to perform both tasks. Larger companies, however, hire business analysts and data analysts to handle their unique work. 

If you desire to land a suitable career in today’s data-driven world, you must understand data analytics vs. business analytics and how they help shape organisations.

What Is Data Analytics? 

Data analytics involves analysing and categorising data. A data analyst may sort, store, and clean the data. Besides, identifying helpful patterns and understanding insights using statistical knowledge and technology also go into data analytics. 

Machine learning is one of the most widely recognised forms of data analytics. It processes extensive data sets and unveils hidden patterns within the data. As a result, it helps organisations make smart predictions and generate valuable insights. 

Consequently, businesses can answer complicated questions and resolve specific organisational problems. 

Data analytics is a bit more complicated than business analytics because it’s more technical. It uses Python, SQL, and other analytical tools to translate the raw data into meaningful information. 

Following this, data analysts present actionable insights to business stakeholders and decision-makers who must understand the data easily to upgrade business strategies. 

Data analytics is integral to improving a company’s organisational processes. Besides, it helps develop tactics to grab new opportunities. To sum up, data analytics unmasks trends and insights using the data.

What Is Business Analytics? 

Business analytics is more practical and focuses largely on utilising the data to spot a business’ shortcomings and optimise an organisation’s processes. 

Business analysts use data visualisation tools, reporting software, and data mining to level up certain business procedures - think customer service or sales. 

Business analytics creates solutions and solves existing problems within a business. So, people working in the field stay at the fore end of data, unlike data analysts who focus on the back end. 

Organisations treat their data as a business asset because it helps them gain a competitive edge. So, the better business analysts understand the technology and the business, the higher the chance of gaining insights to stand out from the crowd.

Data Analytics Vs. Business Analytics: Key Differences

Although data analysts and business analytics use data to tweak business strategies, they do so uniquely. 

A look into the skills and responsibilities of both positions will help you learn more about data analytics and business analytics.

Data Analyst Responsibilities

Data analysts help organisations translate raw and unstructured data and create reports to present data in an appealing way. They may use a storytelling format, charts, graphs, and even dashboards to illustrate data. 

Besides, they also identify new sources of helpful data and go above and beyond to understand the solutions companies seek. They do better at finding answers when they know the company's goals and objectives. 

Here’s what you can expect from a data analyst role: 

• Data analysts execute and design databases

• They help collect valuable data 

• They acquire and maintain the data 

• Data analysts clean the data to make it understandable 

• They interpret trends from complicated data 

• They are also responsible for communicating the key insights to business leaders and decision-makers

Business Analyst Responsibilities 

Business analysts are a communication channel between technology and business. They decide and share the strategies and objectives with everyone across the firm, from the management team to the company’s stakeholders. 

They have excellent problem-solving skills to approach different problems uniquely and develop relevant solutions. Typical responsibilities of business analysts include the following: 

• They remain abreast of the latest business tactics and share them with the organisation. This helps shape the business model 

• Business analysts define the problems and offer solutions for organisations 

• They also spot specific company requirements and communicate them with business stakeholders to alter the existing strategies. 

• They evaluate business processes for cost, effectiveness, and other related metrics. 

• Preparing helpful recommendations for improving business processes and performance is also the responsibility of a business analyst.

Data Analyst Skills 

Data analysts must have technical and non-technical skills, depending on the project type and the workplace environment. Here are some skills employers expect to see when considering data analysts for their company. 

• Excellent data visualisation and data mining skills 

• Communication skills 

• Attention to detail

• Innovative mindset 

• Knowledge of the domain (the industry you’re willing to work with) 

• An understanding of SQL 

• An understanding of Python, R, and other programming languages 

• Familiarisation with machine learning techniques 

• Statistical knowledge 

• Database design

Business Analyst Skills

Although data analyst and business analyst roles often overlap, the skills for the latter are slightly different. Here are some soft and hard skills to hone before applying for a business analyst role. 

• Programming skills 

• An understanding of statistical analysis tools 

• Creative thinking 

• Analytical skills 

• Use of survey tools and software 

• Data mining 

• Data visualisation 

• Excellent communication skills 

• Prototyping 

• Collaboration skills 

• Business intelligence

Data Analyst Salary 

Data analysts make €46,000+ annually in Ireland. However, note that this pay includes bonuses and commissions. 

Therefore, the base pay may vary. Besides, your proficiency and experience also play a role in determining your average annual salary.

Business Analyst Salary

The average salary of a business analyst in Ireland is €50,000. 

Again, the sum would be less if we exempt bonuses and commissions. Besides, your skills and experience would decide the final salary.

How to Choose Between Both?

The big data and business analytics industry is expected to reach $684.12 billion by 2030. Because organisations increasingly rely on data to make critical business decisions and outpace competitors, they seek talented individuals to handle related processes. 

As such, data analytics and business analytics remain the most sought-after positions in today’s data-driven world. However, because both roles share a few similar responsibilities, choosing between the two can get confusing. 

Here are a few things to consider when picking a data analyst or a business analyst role. 

Interests 

Are you into problem-solving, or do numbers and statistics intrigue you? Business analysts obsess over problem-solving and are searching for new and helpful techniques to resolve business issues. 

A company might ask them to research, organise, and administer the execution of the new workflow. They are naturally efficient communicators and can share technical insights with business leaders in simple terms. 

On the other hand, data analysts are good at programming and statistics. They are interested in extracting data from complicated sources. Later, they convert the unstructured data into meaningful insights through data cleaning. 

Think about your interests and choose a career path accordingly. 

Career Path 

Although business analysts and data analysts both have high-paying salaries, they differ in potential. 

For instance, business analysts aren’t required to have an in-depth understanding of statistics and programming languages, which is a prerequisite for data analysts. 

As such, an entry-level business analyst position might pay less than a data analyst starting role. 

Data analysts enjoy a competitive salary and can transition to an advanced role of a data scientist. You can compare both career paths and determine which fits your preferences.

FAQs 

Which Is Better, Data Analytics or Business Analytics? 

Because data analytics and business analytics are both sought-after, high-paying, and prestigious fields, none is better than the other. You must decide your ideal career path by accessing your preferences, interests, and professional background. 

Can a Data Analyst Be a Business Analyst? 

A data analyst can switch to a business analyst role over time. However, they might need to get familiar with a few unique responsibilities of a business analyst, like commercial awareness and a better understanding of business objectives.

Final Words 

Because both data analytics vs. business analytics are predominantly related to data, you must evaluate your skills and goals before choosing a profession. Besides, you can switch to another role down the line because both titles have a few similarities. 

Further, you can complete a data analytics course at UCD Professional Academy to hone your existing skills and gain expertise before entering either career.