How Do I Become a Business Process Analyst?

A person looking to become a business process analyst will need to be a great listener and have the ability to simplify large tasks into small, detailed steps. In addition to these fundamental skills, individuals aspiring to become a business process analyst will need to have a bachelor's degree from a technical field in order to compete in the job market. Many business process analysts generally come from a business management, engineering, or computer science background, as these fields typically educate students in the importance of data analysis. This is typically not an entry-level job and anyone looking to become a business process analyst would first need to obtain a position as a junior analyst. After gaining several years of experience and potentially acquiring more education in the form of a master's degree or industry certifications, an aspiring candidate will be better equipped to become a business process analyst.

The work done by a business process analyst is extremely important to every company. A business process analyst is responsible for analyzing the various business processes and procedures that govern the roles and responsibilities of a company. The analyst must be able to break down the processes of every department in the company into the smallest details and document them in a step-by-step process. By doing this, the analyst has made it possible for any qualified employee to complete the process. After detailing each business process, the analyst will then document the process into a flowchart in order to gain a visual representation of the processes in an attempt to identify ways to save costs and make the process more efficient.

Individuals looking to become a business process analyst will need to be proficient in process analysis. This includes knowing when a process begins and when it ends, as well as who is responsible for completing the process. Business analyst duties also include documenting process performance measures. These performance metrics associated with a process will vary from company to company, but will often revolve around the areas of cost, quality, and speed.

The role of the business process analyst has developed greatly over the years. So much in fact, that individuals can gain certifications in the area of business process management. One of the more popular certifications is the Certified Business Analyst Professional (CBAP) designation from the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA). This certification acknowledges the experience and knowledge of the business process analysts who were able to successfully complete this three-hour examination.