Hi All,
I am currently finishing a graduate program where for the last year I have been trained as a Systems Analyst. The year included 3 months of class room training and then 9 months of project work where I worked on two projects. In both projects I worked for the requirements gathering phase, design phase and QA phase. I pretty much enjoy what I do especially the requirements gathering phase.
But after this year of training is over, I get placed within a Business Unit for the Company. I have been offered a role as a Data Analyst not as Systems Analyst. Can you tell me what are the different roles and work a data analyst does. I have very good experience in Access, Excel and SQL from college and I enjoy database design and drawing ERDs etc. Could you please provide a run down of the differences between a SA and DA.
I meet with the hiring manager tomorrow; are there any questions you think I should ask him?
Also is it a wise career choice? In the future I want to move from an SA role into a more Business analysis focusing role, Is it a step in the wrong direction?
Thanks.
Hi:
Analysis is largely about discovery. As such, data modeling typically comes after functional modeling because a data model is inert: It is not going to prod the analyst through the discovery process. Only a valid functional analysis technique is going to guide the analyst through the discovery process. After the analyst understand the essential functionality and the scope of the system, he\she then creates logical data models (ERDs).
There is no logical distinction between a systems analyst and a business analyst. Structured Systems Analysis is a systems analysis tool just as much as a BA tool. Bottom line: Titles are often confusing (i.e., politically motivated). If you are going to be creating ERD's , for larger efforts especially, you will need to perform functional analysis, whether your title is DA, SA, or BA.
Tony
Hi Hazy,
The differences between "Systems Analyst" and "Data Analyst" role will vary greatly from organization to organization so you should really take a look at the specific job descriptions for the positions your are exploring.
Having said that, here are some general differences between the two roles:
In many organizations both systems analysis and data analysis tasks may be performed by the same person as there are many similarities between the two roles such as:
Hope this helps!
- Adrian
Thanks Adrian & Tony for ye're replies.
I'm meeting with the hiring manager today, so hopefully he'll be able to give me a clear understanding of the role and what is expected of me.
I'll let ye know how I get on.
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