Why is BI Analyst role so attractive as a starting point?

Low entry barrier thanks to BI tools

BI tools like Power BI, Tableau, and other platforms enable data visualization and the creation of intuitive reports without requiring complex coding. Their drag-and-drop approach and user-friendly interfaces allow individuals without programming experience to quickly start creating valuable reports and analyses.

This means that instead of focusing on complex algorithms or large engineering projects, you can concentrate on understanding data and deriving insights that add business value.

Furthermore, the role of a BI analyst lies at the intersection of data engineering, data science, and machine learning. To create effective reports, an analyst must understand how data is processed and stored, analyze patterns and relationships, and explore its potential applications in more advanced predictive models. This versatility makes the BI analyst position an excellent starting point for further exploration and specialization in the data domain.

Foundational Data Engineering in practice

While working with BI tools doesn’t initially require advanced technical knowledge, it provides a strong foundation in data engineering. Creating effective reports demands skills in:

• Database Operations: Understanding how to write SQL queries, join data from various sources, and optimize performance.
• Data Modeling: Building relational models and structuring data to enable fast and efficient analysis.
• Process Optimization: Designing reports and models that are both functional and scalable.

As a result, BI analysts often operate at the intersection of analytics and data engineering, paving the way to more advanced technical roles like data engineer.

At this stage, a BI analyst’s work is inherently collaborative with data engineers, who build database infrastructures and data pipelines. Through this collaboration, analysts learn data processing and transformation, gaining hands-on experience with data engineering principles. Such cooperation not only facilitates the acquisition of advanced technologies but also expands analysts’ competencies, opening pathways to more technical roles.

Introduction to Data Science

BI reporting isn’t just about technique — it’s also an art of interpreting data. When analyzing data, you search for relationships, patterns, and anomalies — key skills in the work of data scientists. Data visualization helps uncover patterns and anomalies that may not be immediately apparent, sparking curiosity about what else the data might reveal. This fascination often leads to exploring more advanced techniques, such as machine learning, which enables the discovery of hidden relationships and data-driven forecasting.

Working with data as a BI analyst provides insight into how analytical outcomes translate into business decisions. If you’re interested in advanced techniques, you can gradually start exploring:

• Predictive Models and Machine Learning: BI tools often integrate with statistical and ML platforms.
• Statistics and Programming: The knowledge gained as a BI analyst is a solid foundation for learning programming languages like Python or R.

The work of uncovering patterns, anomalies, and relationships forms the foundation of data science. At the same time, BI analysts can delve into advanced techniques like predictive models or machine learning thanks to BI tools’ integration with analytical platforms. This exploration not only enhances analytical skills but also opens doors to learning programming and statistics, essential components of a data scientist’s toolkit.

A Gateway to the Data World

Starting a career in data doesn’t have to be difficult. The role of a BI analyst, supported by low-code/no-code tools, is an ideal entry point for those who want to learn the basics of working with data, understand modeling and analysis, and simultaneously develop technical skills. This job combines creativity with logic while laying a solid foundation for more advanced roles in the rapidly growing data industry.

If you dream of a career in data analysis, start by exploring the world of BI — it’s the first step toward tremendous opportunities.

Words by Piotr Szczygłowski, Senior Data Engineer in Altimetrik Poland