<div class="edu-card" data-widget-id="63" data-cy="edu-card"> <div class="edu-card-banner" data-cy="edu-card-banner"> Advertisement </div> <div class="edu-card-container" data-cy="edu-card-container"> <div class="edu-card-content" data-cy="edu-card-content"> <div class="edu-card-title" data-cy="edu-card-title"> <h1 class="edu-card-title-heading" data-cy="edu-card-title-heading"> Data Analytics Certificate </h1> <p class="edu-card-title-subheading" data-cy="edu-card-title-subheading"> Turn raw data into something valuable </p> </div> <div class="edu-card-content-description" data-cy="edu-card-content-description"> <div class="edu-card-content-description-content"> <p>Learn how to analyze, interpret, and visualize data for a career. Our course will prepare you to organize and interpret data professionally with hands-on projects and 1-on-1 mentoring. Gain experience in the critical tools for today's data analysts: Python, SQL, Tableau, and Excel.</p> </div> <span class="edu-card-content-description-readmore"> <input type="checkbox" id="edu-card-content-description-readmore-input-63" class="edu-card-content-description-readmore-input" /> <label for="edu-card-content-description-readmore-input-63" class="edu-card-content-description-readmore-label"> <span class="edu-card-content-description-readmore-label-arrow"></span> </label> </span> </div> <a class="edu-card-content-button" target="_blank" href="https://www.nobledesktop.com/certificates/data-analytics/?utm_source=fortune&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=[dynamic]post-id[/dynamic]">Visit Website</a> <span class="edu-card-content-caption"> </span> </div> <div class="edu-card-action" data-cy="edu-card-action"> <picture class="edu-card-picture" data-cy="edu-card-picture"> <img src="https://fortune.com/img-assets/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Noble_logo-n-only.png?w=250&amp;h=165" class=""> <span class="edu-card-picture-label"> </span> </picture> <div class="edu-card-action-cta" data-cy="edu-card-action-cta"> <a class="edu-card-action-button" target="_blank" href="https://www.nobledesktop.com/certificates/data-analytics/?utm_source=fortune&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=[dynamic]post-id[/dynamic]">Visit Website</a> <span class="edu-card-action-caption"> </span> </div> </div> </div></div><script> function checkWidgets() { document.querySelectorAll('.edu-card-content-description-content').forEach((content) => { const readMoreBtn = content.nextElementSibling; if (!readMoreBtn) { return; } if (content && content.clientHeight === content.scrollHeight) { readMoreBtn.style.display = 'none'; } else { delete readMoreBtn.style.removeProperty('display'); } }) } window.removeEventListener('resize', checkWidgets); window.addEventListener('resize', checkWidgets); checkWidgets();</script>

<div class="edu-card" data-widget-id="64" data-cy="edu-card"> <div class="edu-card-banner" data-cy="edu-card-banner"> Advertisement </div> <div class="edu-card-container" data-cy="edu-card-container"> <div class="edu-card-content" data-cy="edu-card-content"> <div class="edu-card-title" data-cy="edu-card-title"> <h1 class="edu-card-title-heading" data-cy="edu-card-title-heading"> Python for Data Science Bootcamp </h1> <p class="edu-card-title-subheading" data-cy="edu-card-title-subheading"> Start coding with Python in just five days </p> </div> <div class="edu-card-content-description" data-cy="edu-card-content-description"> <div class="edu-card-content-description-content"> <p>Learn core Python and data science skills in a hands-on class. Clean and analyze data, use Python's major libraries, create visualizations, and get familiar with the logic of object-oriented programming.</p> </div> <span class="edu-card-content-description-readmore"> <input type="checkbox" id="edu-card-content-description-readmore-input-64" class="edu-card-content-description-readmore-input" /> <label for="edu-card-content-description-readmore-input-64" class="edu-card-content-description-readmore-label"> <span class="edu-card-content-description-readmore-label-arrow"></span> </label> </span> </div> <a class="edu-card-content-button" target="_blank" href="https://www.nobledesktop.com/classes/python-data-science-bootcamp-nyc/?utm_source=fortune&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=[dynamic]post-id[/dynamic]">Visit Website</a> <span class="edu-card-content-caption"> </span> </div> <div class="edu-card-action" data-cy="edu-card-action"> <picture class="edu-card-picture" data-cy="edu-card-picture"> <img src="https://fortune.com/img-assets/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Noble_logo-n-only.png?w=250&amp;h=165" class=""> <span class="edu-card-picture-label"> </span> </picture> <div class="edu-card-action-cta" data-cy="edu-card-action-cta"> <a class="edu-card-action-button" target="_blank" href="https://www.nobledesktop.com/classes/python-data-science-bootcamp-nyc/?utm_source=fortune&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=[dynamic]post-id[/dynamic]">Visit Website</a> <span class="edu-card-action-caption"> </span> </div> </div> </div></div><script> function checkWidgets() { document.querySelectorAll('.edu-card-content-description-content').forEach((content) => { const readMoreBtn = content.nextElementSibling; if (!readMoreBtn) { return; } if (content && content.clientHeight === content.scrollHeight) { readMoreBtn.style.display = 'none'; } else { delete readMoreBtn.style.removeProperty('display'); } }) } window.removeEventListener('resize', checkWidgets); window.addEventListener('resize', checkWidgets); checkWidgets();</script>

<div class="edu-card" data-widget-id="10" data-cy="edu-card"> <div class="edu-card-banner" data-cy="edu-card-banner"> Advertisement </div> <div class="edu-card-container" data-cy="edu-card-container"> <div class="edu-card-content" data-cy="edu-card-content"> <div class="edu-card-title" data-cy="edu-card-title"> <h1 class="edu-card-title-heading" data-cy="edu-card-title-heading"> Berkeley's Data Science Master's </h1> <p class="edu-card-title-subheading" data-cy="edu-card-title-subheading"> Master Key Skills in Data Mining, Machine Learning, Research Design & More </p> </div> <div class="edu-card-content-description" data-cy="edu-card-content-description"> <div class="edu-card-content-description-content"> <p>The online Master of Information and Data Science (MIDS) program is preparing the next generation of experts and leaders in the data science field and providing students with a UC Berkeley education without having to relocate. Students graduate with connections to UC Berkeley’s extensive alumni network in the Bay Area and across the world. All international applicants will be required to submit official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores.</p> </div> <span class="edu-card-content-description-readmore"> <input type="checkbox" id="edu-card-content-description-readmore-input-10" class="edu-card-content-description-readmore-input" /> <label for="edu-card-content-description-readmore-input-10" class="edu-card-content-description-readmore-label"> <span class="edu-card-content-description-readmore-label-arrow"></span> </label> </span> </div> <a class="edu-card-content-button" target="_blank" href="https://ischoolonline.berkeley.edu/requestinfo/mids/">Learn More</a> <span class="edu-card-content-caption"> </span> </div> <div class="edu-card-action" data-cy="edu-card-action"> <picture class="edu-card-picture" data-cy="edu-card-picture"> <img src="https://fortune.com/img-assets/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/UCB-DATA_MKTGAD-13675_Program-Logo_750x500.png?w=250&amp;h=165" class=""> <span class="edu-card-picture-label"> </span> </picture> <div class="edu-card-action-cta" data-cy="edu-card-action-cta"> <a class="edu-card-action-button" target="_blank" href="https://ischoolonline.berkeley.edu/requestinfo/mids/">Learn More</a> <span class="edu-card-action-caption"> </span> </div> </div> <table class="edu-card-table"> <tbody> <tr> <td>GRE Required</td> <td>No</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Part Time</td> <td>Yes</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </div></div><script> function checkWidgets() { document.querySelectorAll('.edu-card-content-description-content').forEach((content) => { const readMoreBtn = content.nextElementSibling; if (!readMoreBtn) { return; } if (content && content.clientHeight === content.scrollHeight) { readMoreBtn.style.display = 'none'; } else { delete readMoreBtn.style.removeProperty('display'); } }) } window.removeEventListener('resize', checkWidgets); window.addEventListener('resize', checkWidgets); checkWidgets();</script>

ad_Analytics

cat_Other

Low Intent

ptype_Explainer

Preston Fore

<p>It should come as no surprise that big business decisions are made every single day at companies small and large. </p><div class="paywall-selector"></div><div class="paywall">



<p>It is also well assumed that the best big decisions are ones with evidence and back them up—in the form of data. But how does <a href="https://fortune.com/education/information-technology/best-masters-in-data-science/">data</a> go from being raw information like surveys and click-through rates to being part of sometimes world-altering decision-making? Business analytics is how.</p>



<p>The emphasis on data-powered decision-making is nothing new; in fact, businesses have known about its significance for years. A decade ago, <a href="https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/pages/consumer-business/articles/big-data-analytics-consumer-products.html">Deloitte noted in a 2013 study</a> that focus on big data and analytics were to be the “new normal” for maintaining growth. “Companies must focus on evolving their analytical maturity in addition to developing capabilities around rapid experimentation and trial and error. Remaining agile will be essential for handling this “new normal,” it stated.</p>



<p>So, with today there being hundreds of thousands of workers who describe themselves as business analysts (not to mention there now being an entire international organization dedicated to the field, the <a href="https://www.iiba.org/">IIBA</a>), an important question lingers: what exactly even is business analytics? <em>Fortune</em> has you covered.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What is business analytics?</h2>



<p>In the simplest terms, business analytics is the process or the ability to drive decisions using data and analytics, according to Anindya Ghose, the director of the master’s of science in business analytics program at New York University’s Stern School of Business. The school Stern is home to the No. 9 <a href="https://fortune.com/education/business/best-mba-programs/">best MBA program</a>, based on <em>Fortune</em>’s ranking.</p>



<p>Business analytics is a field that is constantly evolving in accordance with technological developments. A few decades ago, business analytics was a much simpler domain in the typical business-tech space: spreadsheets could house information, trends could be identified using basic formulas, and data could be visualized to the team of decision-makers.</p>



<p>But today, business analytics is everywhere—in tech, healthcare, education, retail, media, and beyond. </p>



<p>“The way we think about business analytics now—it’s a little bit of everything for everybody,” says Devanshu Mehrotra, curriculum developer and lead instructor at General Assembly, with a background in the world of analytics.</p>



<p>Business analytics is more so the art of data translating, says Mehrotra.</p>



<p>“And the idea is, since data is being democratized, and the idea is that specific organizations should own their data, they should be responsible for their data, then it’s important for there to be data translators,” he adds.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What skills do you need for business analytics?</h2>



<p>While the exact skills needed to excel in <a href="https://fortune.com/education/articles/what-is-business-analytics/">business analytics</a> may differ depending on industry, company, and level of experience, there are several foundations that are important to have, including:</p>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><strong>Domain expertise:</strong> business fundamentals and relevant industry knowledge</li>



<li><strong>Technical know-how:</strong> programming, data analysis, data visualization</li>



<li><strong>Storytelling:</strong> translating data trends to business needs</li>
</ul>



<p>The last point in particular was something Mehrotra and Ghose both emphasized as an area that really sets excellent business analysts apart from other fields. </p>



<p>Additionally, knowledge of both high and low code tools are important technical aspects of the job, including for, as Mehrotra notes:</p>


<p><style>.table-container table, .table-container td, .table-container th {border: 1px solid #111111;}.table-container table {max-width: 600px;margin: auto;width: 100%;margin-bottom: 24px;font-family: 'Graphik Condensed', Arial Narrow, Helvetica neue Condensed, sans-serif;border-collapse: collapse;}.table-container table th {padding: 16px;background-color: #00CD98;font-size: 24px;font-weight: 600;line-height: 28.8px;}.table-container table tbody tr {background-color: #FFFFFF;}.table-container table tbody tr:first-child td {font-size: 16px;font-weight: 600;line-height: 19.2px;padding: 8px 16px;}.table-container table tbody tr td {padding: 16px;}.table-container table tbody tr td a {color: #007B9D;text-decoration: none;}.table-container table tbody tr td a:hover {color: #666666;}.table-container tr:first-of-type {background-color: #33CC99 !important;}</style>
</p>


<div class="wp-block-getwid-table"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Data</strong> <strong>ability</strong></td><td><strong>Skill</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Extraction</strong></td><td>SQL, Power Query editor, Excel</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Analysis</strong></td><td>Python, R, Alteryx, KNIME</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Communication and visualization</strong></td><td>Power BI, Tableau, Looker</td></tr></tbody></table></div>



<p>Because there are many data-related tools available—and every company may use something different—Mehrotra says it is important to be tool agnostic. </p>



<p>“Multiple tools should be in your repertoire, (so) that you pick the tool based on the problem, not try and shove every problem into the two tools that you know,” he says. “And that’s why I’m always like—it’s do you understand the why before you understand the how.”</p>



<p>Ghose adds that in order to succeed in business analytics, having training in these two areas are of great importance:</p>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><strong>Econometrics</strong> (advanced statistics and modeling)</li>



<li><strong>Experimental design </strong>(creation and understanding of tests and behaviors)</li>
</ul>



<p>It would also be remiss to not mention the criticality of <a href="https://fortune.com/education/articles/free-ai-classes-you-can-take-online/">AI</a> in space. Like other fields, the tech is streamlining some of the day-to-day activities of business analytics. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">How can you learn business analytics?</h2>



<p>Those wanting to get involved in business analytics are in luck because there are numerous ways to learn the in-demand skills.</p>



<p>When looking at traditional degree pathways, many universities have undergraduate and graduate degrees focused specifically on business analytics. (<em>Fortune</em> ranks the <a href="https://fortune.com/education/business/best-online-masters-in-business-analytics/">best online master’s in business analytics</a>). And even if there is no program labeled business analytics directly, you can also gain through a combination of business and <a href="https://fortune.com/education/articles/what-is-data-science/">data science</a> endeavors.</p>



<p>If a longer degree program is not for you, checking out a bootcamp or <a href="https://fortune.com/education/articles/business-analytics-courses/">course in business analytics</a> may provide a quicker, cheaper, and/or more flexible opportunity.</p>



<p>A few years ago, Mehrotra explains he may have recommended going down a traditional degree route, but because the world of analytics is always changing, a shorter program may be a better way to get the most up-to-date skills from instructors with recent industry experience.</p>



<p>“To me, I think long form education, specifically around these areas are not very impactful and not a good return on investment,” Mehrotra says. “I think short form and creating your own journey, so as to speak, is important and I do think that some kind of short form educational programs are a very important part of that.”</p>



<p>Regardless, what’s key to sticking out in a competitive job ecosystem is gaining hands-on projects, creating a portfolio, and learning from instructors with real-world experience, Mehrotra notes.</p>



<p>Studying business analytics also does not necessarily mean you are boxed in to becoming a business analyst. Other job titles may include <a href="https://fortune.com/education/careers/how-to-become-a-data-scientist/">data scientist</a>, <a href="https://fortune.com/education/careers/how-to-become-a-data-analyst/">data analyst</a>, market researcher, chief digital officer, chief data officer, head of product, and intelligence analyst.</p>



<p>“It’s now increasingly difficult, if not impossible to imagine—taking decisions without the help of computers, algorithms and data,” Ghose says. “So, you will almost certainly see lots of benefits from that. I think that is just the way of the world today will just continue to be even more ubiquitous as we proceed. So, jump in and join the party.”</p>



<div class="wp-block-group pro-tip-box-widget"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained">
<h3 class="wp-block-heading pro-tip-box-heading">Read more</h3>



<li>Choose from our rankings of the <a href="https://fortune.com/education/business/best-mba-programs/">best MBA programs</a> to find the next phase of your educational journey.</li>
<li>This list helps those looking for <a href="https://fortune.com/education/business/best-mba-programs/no-gmat-gre-required/">MBA program options that do not require submission of test scores</a> to apply.</li>
<li>Our directory of the <a href="https://fortune.com/education/business/most-affordable-online-mba-programs/">most affordable online MBA programs</a> can help you find the school that best fits your budget.</li>
<li>You can work towards your career goals on your own time by selecting from our list of the <a href="https://fortune.com/education/business/best-parttime-mba-programs/">best part time MBA programs</a>.</li>
<li>To help you pick the program that’s the best fit for you, we made this list of the <a href="https://fortune.com/education/business/best-executive-mba-programs/">best executive MBA programs</a>.</li>
<li>Interested in earning your MBA online? Here’s our ranking of the <a href="https://fortune.com/education/business/best-online-mba-programs/">best online MBA programs</a>.</li>
</div></div>
</div>

Business analytics is at the intersection of data and decision-making. Fortune explains what exactly the field entails.

What is business analytics?

Man displays data on a screen to a conference room of individuals.

F-Search

Education

Education Articles

Jasmine Suarez

Business

Companies rely on business analytics to translate data into supportable decision-making processes.

Bringing data to company decision-making: What exactly is business analytics?

Fortune earns a commission for purchases made from affiliate partners via some links on our site; other links are not affiliate partner links. <a href='/affiliate-disclosure/'>Click here</a> to read the full Fortune advertiser disclosure and how we earn commissions.

We have independently evaluated the products and services below. We may earn affiliate revenue from links in the content.

Fortune Editors

Fortune Education is designed to be your guide to navigating this new, rich and somewhat overwhelming world of education. Our team of experienced editors is committed to scouring the universe of online offerings in order to rank, rate, provide comparisons and recommend the right solutions for you and your career.

Fortune Education

Uncategorized

homepage

articles

Articles Hub

By Region

By State

By Cost

Career Hub

Health and Wellness

Tech

EDUCATION

EDUCATION ARTICLES

WHAT IS BUSINESS ANALYTICS?

Bringing data to company decision-making: What exactly is business analytics? | Fortune Education

What is business analytics? | Fortune Education

Rich Griset

10 free data analytics courses you can take online

https://fortune.com/education/articles/free-data-analytics-courses/?itm_source=parsely-api

2024 real estate school review: AceableAgent

https://fortune.com/education/articles/real-estate-school-review-aceableagent/?itm_source=parsely-api

Northwestern, Columbia, and UPenn have the best EMBA programs in the country. Here's why

https://fortune.com/education/articles/best-exec-mba-programs-news/?itm_source=parsely-api

Brit Morse

A law associate making $300,000 a year at Skadden Arps quit over the firm’s deal with Donald Trump

/article/rachel-cohen-making-300k-year-law-associate-skadden-arps-quit-protest-firms-deal-trump/

Get ready to pay more than $2,000 for a new iPhone: Experts say Trump’s 125% tariff on China is a ‘complete disaster for Apple’ akin to ‘Armageddon’

/2025/04/10/apple-iphone-16-price-complete-disaster-china-trump-tariffs/

It’s about to get a lot harder for job seekers as tariffs are set to make the hiring landscape even more daunting

/2025/04/07/trump-tariffs-labor-market-more-challenging-job-seekers-economists-say/

This company does peer performance reviews—And then lets everyone read each other’s evaluations

/2025/03/24/performance-review-process-company-allows-all-workers-read-garner-health-workplace-culture/

2024 health coach certification review: Catalyst Coaching Institute

/education/articles/health-coach-certification-review-catalyst-coaching-institute/

A guide to a nurse’s salary: Broken down by all 50 states and industry type

/education/careers/nurse-salary/

2024 health coach certification review: Institute for Integrative Nutrition

/education/articles/health-coach-certification-review-institute-for-integrative-nutrition/

10 high-paying public health jobs right now

/education/careers/public-health-jobs/

Jason Del Rey

Is eBay actually sexy again as the ecommerce old-timer’s stock surges to an all-time high?

/2025/07/31/ebay-earnings-live-sports-cards-trading-pokemon/

Erik German

Meet the CIA-backed venture fund behind Palantir, Anduril—and a spy tool that might be on your phone

/2025/07/29/in-q-tel-cia-venture-capital-palantir-anduril/

Dana Hull

Kiel Porter

Bloomberg

Tesla engineering VP Moravy says company in ‘big swing moment’

/2025/07/27/tesla-engineering-vp-lars-moravy-big-swing-moment-musk-robotaxi-optimus-semi/

Christiaan Hetzner

Volkswagen seeks audience with Trump, dangling more than $10 billion in U.S. investments in exchange for tariff exemptions

/2025/07/25/volkswagen-trump-tariffs-exemptions/

Whether you’ve just completed your undergraduate degree or you are a professional with years of experience, Fortune is here to guide you on the next step of your educational journey.

What is business analytics?

About the Contributors

Top Articles

10 free data analytics courses you can take online

2024 real estate school review: AceableAgent

Northwestern, Columbia, and UPenn have the best EMBA programs in the country. Here's why

Berkeley's Data Science Master's

GRE Required	No
Part Time	Yes