Title: Data Analyst
Author: Kriko
Published: May 23, 2023
Last modified: Jul 11, 2026

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# Data Analyst

A **data analyst** is a professional who collects, organises and analyses organisational
data and presents the results through clear reports. The main purpose of the role
is to transform raw data into meaningful information that supports business decisions.
Data analysts may share their findings through tables, charts, dashboards and presentations.
This helps managers and business teams make more measurable, consistent and data-
driven decisions.

The responsibilities of a data analyst may vary according to the organisation and
industry. Data cleaning, identifying missing or inaccurate records, monitoring performance
indicators and preparing regular reports are common duties. Analysts may work with
sales, marketing, finance, operations or customer experience data. They should also
be able to communicate analytical findings clearly to business teams, not only to
technical stakeholders.

A background in statistics, mathematics, computer engineering, industrial engineering,
economics, business or similar fields can be advantageous for becoming a data analyst.
However, the profession is not limited to graduates of specific departments. Technical
skills, analytical thinking, problem-solving ability and practical project experience
are also important in recruitment processes. Certificate programmes, portfolio projects
and work with real datasets can therefore help candidates develop their capabilities.

Data analysts are generally expected to have knowledge of Excel, SQL, data visualisation
tools and basic statistics. The ability to create reports and dashboards with tools
such as Power BI, Tableau, Looker Studio or similar platforms is important for many
roles. Python or R can provide an advantage in data cleaning, analysis and automation
processes. Statistical tools such as SPSS may be used in certain industries, but
they are not mandatory for every data analyst position.

Job requirements may differ depending on the seniority of the role and the organisation’s
data maturity. Some entry-level positions may accept one year of experience, while
more senior roles may require two or more years. Big data technologies, machine 
learning methods and advanced Python skills are more common in analytics, data science
or senior data analyst positions. A successful data analyst needs communication 
skills, business understanding and the ability to interpret results correctly in
addition to technical knowledge.

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