What Does a Data Analyst Do? Responsibilities and Skills

As consumers spend more time online and conduct a fair amount of their transactions through applications, the job of a Data Analyst is becoming more important than ever. Data analysis helps to convert raw data into useful information that can help businesses make strategic decisions. 

Data analysts are skilled in programming languages, advanced mathematics, and statistics, which they use to help them determine trends and patterns from historical data. Companies use this valuable information to create better products and tailored marketing strategies.

In this article, we will understand what does a Data Analyst do, the skills required to become a successful data analyst, and their role in South Africa.

What Does a Data Analyst Do?

Data analysts help organise and analyse large volumes of data collected daily. This allows companies to make informed decisions regarding marketing efforts, price points, consumer spending trends, etc. 

The data analyst’s role in an organisation is to interpret patterns and trends and make informed decisions based on reliable insights. They can also help improve product development, market segmentation, and advertising campaigns.

If one is wondering what does a Data Analyst do on a daily basis, they help to collect, organise, visualise, and present data according to requirements.

These are a data analyst’s responsibilities:

Data Collection

Based on the problems and objectives of a task, data analysts collect data from primary and secondary sources to find solutions.

Data Analysis

Next, they need to filter and clean the data to remove any errors or duplicates and then help to analyse it using statistical models, algorithms, and programming. This allows them to identify trends and correlations that could benefit specific business operations.

Data Visualisation

Data is only valuable when it can be used, and for that, data analysts convert their findings into easy-to-understand visuals that can be presented to interested stakeholders. 

Reporting

When examining what does a Data Analyst do, a main part of their task is to report their findings to the correct department and upper management. They also communicate their recommendations, which helps guide business decisions. 

What are the Skills Required for a Data Analyst?

Learners who are thinking about a career in computers might wonder what does a Data Analyst do and what are the skills required for a successful career. Data analysts need to be expert programmers who are also competent in advanced mathematics and statistics.

A Bachelor of Science in Computer Science is one of the best undergraduate qualifications for students to learn the technical skills required by a Data Analyst. At Regenesys, this is an online programme that allows students to learn at their own pace. It also makes it possible for students to enrol in a part-time job where they can gain practical experience.

The skills of a Data Analyst are in demand in South Africa as companies recognise the value of business strategies that are based on reliable data. The increasing use of digital technologies and applications in South Africa has led to companies seeking skilled analysts to interpret the large sets of data being collected daily. 

If you are wondering what does a Data Analyst do, they use their skills to optimise operations and increase revenue. This helps South African companies remain competitive against global challengers. 

Data Analyst Skills – Technical

• Python: It is impossible to become a Data Analyst without competency in Python and other programming languages. Analysts rely on programming languages to offer them the power needed to work on large data sets that cannot be handled by regular software. 
• Mathematics: This is at the core of data analysis since analysts rely on statistics to interpret and find patterns in large data sets. It also allows them to determine correlations and help in predictive modeling. Data analysts also require knowledge of advanced calculus to implement algorithms.
• Data Cleaning:When we try to answer what does a Data Analyst do, they basically help to provide solutions to managers based on past data. They do this by clearing the sourced data so that it is error-free and can provide accurate insights regarding the problem at hand. 

Data Analyst Skills – Interpersonal

• Problem-Solving: When students examine what a Data Analyst do, they will learn that they are essentially problem solvers. They help to find solutions from the large amounts of data that they source.
• Collaboration: Data Analysts need to collaborate with other organisational departments, such as marketing, production, accounting, etc., to understand their needs. This allows analysts to better align the data findings with the requirements.
• Communication: They also need to be excellent verbal and written communicators. They need to present their findings in detailed reports and presentations. They should also be able to communicate their findings in easy-to-understand terms to non-technical stakeholders. 

What is the Role of a Data Analyst in South Africa?

If one is wondering what a Data Analyst does in various industries, their work allows companies to track everything from the amount of time a customer spends on the site to products they browse. Analysts can help source data for all online operations and transactions and use their insights to help multinational corporations and family businesses.

In any industry, a data analyst helps collect and clean data, analyse results for patterns and correlations, and present them to stakeholders. Their role is critical in all industries, from healthcare to finance.

Banking and Financial Services: Analysts can use historical data to predict fraudulent behaviour. They can also analyse data to better segment customers based on spending habits and target them with specialised services. 

Retail: Data analysts source data related to purchases, amounts spent, browsing patterns, etc., to improve customer experience, offer targeted marketing, and eventually increase sales. They can also test the effectiveness of marketing campaigns or new layouts by conducting A/B Testing. 

Healthcare: Data analysts in healthcare work in the business side of running a hospital or a research facility. Their skills can be used to gather a better understanding of clinical data and how it can be used to create new pharmaceutical products.

Tourism: They are used in the tourism industry by airlines and hotel booking websites to track location and hotel interest, travel patterns, and customer reviews. This allows providers to better target potential customers with hotel and flight information.

What are the Tools Used by Data Analysts?

When students explore what does a Data Analyst do, it will become clear to them that analysts rely on multiple tools and their technical skills to manipulate data. These tools they use serve different purposes – some are used to clean data, while others are used to help create visualisations. 

The analytics tools that a Data Analyst uses allow them to understand consumer behaviour better, conduct market research, and help optimise operations. This leads companies to make decisions that lead to increased profits. Listed below are some of the most commonly used tools by Data Analysts.

• Google Analytics: This tool allows data analysts to understand how consumers interact with the website, including the amount of time they spend, how they reach the website, and demographic breakdown.
• Python: Data analysts rely on this important programming language to automate daily tasks and manage large data sets, which increases productivity.
• Power BI: Analysts use this data visualisation tool to present their findings from multiple data sources in easy-to-understand visuals. 
• Tableau: This is another data visualisation tool that aims to simplify complex data. This makes it easy to present the findings to non-technical teams. 

What is the Data Analyst Career Path?

Now that we have explored what does a Data Analyst do, we must learn how to become a Data Analyst.

A strong education is the foundation for a successful career as a Data Analyst. While short courses and certifications are available, none provide the knowledge that comes from completing an undergraduate programme. The Regenesys School of Technology offers an accredited BSc in Computer Science programme, which prepares students to become data analysts in South Africa.

While studying, students can also participate in bootcamps and workshops to enhance their practical skills and improve on their weaknesses. They should also work on projects and complete an internship, which will help boost their resume after graduation.

Most data analysts begin in an entry-level position as a Junior Data Analyst, where they work with small data sets. As they gain experience, they can work as Senior Data Analysts, where they are tasked with complex statistical analysis. From here, they can move into a management position, such as a Data Analytics Manager or transition to specialised roles. 

The technology field is constantly evolving, and data analysts must upskill regularly to gain expertise in emerging technologies relevant to their industry.

Conclusion

As businesses continue to rely more on data to guide their strategic decisions, the role of Data Analysts has become indispensable. For those questioning what does a Data Analyst do, they help to convert raw data into actionable insights that help companies identify trends, improve products, and optimise marketing strategies. They analyse complex data using multiple programming languages, advanced mathematics, and statistical models.

In South Africa, with the increased use of digital technologies, skilled data analysts are in demand to analyse the constant data being generated. These professionals are needed across various industries, from banking and retail to healthcare and tourism, and they allow organisations to stay competitive in an evolving global market.

Enrol in the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science offered by Regenesys and gain the knowledge and skills required to become a Data Analyst. The last date for applications is 3 February 2025.

What Does a Data Analyst Do? – FAQs