A Data Analyst is responsible for interpreting data, analyzing results using statistical techniques, and providing ongoing reports for organizations. Data Analysts gather insights that directly inform business decisions and strategies to achieve objectives through data-driven guidance.
What does a Data Analyst do, typically?
Collects and Manages Data
Data Analysts collect data from primary or secondary sources and maintain data systems to ensure efficient data storage and consistency.
Develop Data Tools and Techniques
Data Analysts identify, develop, and implement new process improvements, including the creation of automated tools or scripts to simplify data analysis processes.
Analyze Data Sets
Data Analysts review large datasets to identify trends, patterns, and insights. They use statistical tools to interpret data sets, paying particular attention to trends and patterns that could be valuable for diagnostic and predictive analytics efforts.
A Data Analyst is not:
A Business Intelligence Analyst
A Business Intelligence Analyst focuses on analyzing data to produce insights that inform business decisions and strategies. They often use BI tools and dashboards for data visualization, which is a more specific scope compared to the broader data processing and analysis tasks of a Data Analyst.
A Database Administrator
Database Administrators are responsible for maintaining, backing up, and securing databases, whereas a Data Analyst is more focused on analyzing the data contained within those databases.
Important Metrics for a Data Analyst
Data Analysts are commonly evaluated based on accuracy, insights, and adherence to timelines. Simplified, standard metrics cover:
- Analysis Accuracy
- Deliverable Timelines
- Impact of Insights
- Continuous Improvement
