How to Get Started
as an Operations Analyst

An operations research analyst studies problems at companies and develops strategies to solve them. This professional has a broad skill set in data science as they regularly deal with data management while serving as a member of the operations team.

The skills needed for this career can be obtained through multiple avenues, including online courses, coding bootcamps, community colleges, and even universities. This article will provide all the information you need to know about how to become an operations analyst to get you started.

An operations analyst uses analytical skills and a range of methods to develop and implement business practices that facilitate optimal performance within an organizational structure. Overall, they are experts at locating and solving problems to help companies function more efficiently.

An operation analyst actually takes many forms, depending on the industry they work in and the responsibilities organizational stakeholders assign to them. In this line of work you will collaborate with other operations research analysts, operations managers, business analysts, IT operations analysts, data analysts, and business intelligence practitioners.

One of the key skills most associated with an operations analyst role is some form of data analysis. Data analysis is at the core of any operations research. Business operations specialists are required to evaluate internal tools, procedures, practices, and general operations within a company.

Having consumed, interpreted, and evaluated the data at their disposal, business operations analysts will then be required to draft and implement potential solutions to business problems, with the aim of improving new and existing product lines.

The educational requirement for an operations analyst can range anywhere from four to six years, depending on the education track that they pursue and the industry that they wish to work in. If you attend graduate school, that will require an additional two years. Some potential employers also require you to have a certification, which can take a few weeks or months to earn.

To become an operations analyst, you will need advanced math skills, advanced computer software skills, security operations skills, and a certain level of business acumen. The business component to this can be learned at a traditional school of business, like Columbia University or Northeastern University, where you will likely need to complete a bachelor’s degree.

The scope of study for somebody who wishes to become an operations research analyst can be quite broad. For some people, there will be greater emphasis on the technical subjects, while others will feel more comfortable focusing on the business components.

To become an operations research analyst you could enroll in a business school or you could enroll at institutions that are more famed for their scientific and technical instruction. For a career in operations analysis, you will need both skills.

The skills that you need most to become an operations analyst include management science, process improvement, data analysis, and operations management. In a bid to increase your earning potential, you should try and establish a strong background in some form of business analysis.

According to Glassdoor, the median salary for an operations analyst is about $61,000 per year. If you are employed at the lower end of the industry you can expect to earn about $44,000 per year. If you are employed at the higher end of the industry, you can expect to earn just under $90,000 per year.

The job growth for operations research analysts over the next decade is expected to be 25 percent, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. The average salary and employment projection for operations managers provide the perfect recipe for a successful career path in this field.

The core function of any operations analyst is to address any operational issues that might arise within any organizational structure. There is a wide variety of tasks linked to this because this responsibility affects every department within that firm. Learn more about some of these tasks below.

A basic task of the operations analyst is to identify structural, technical, and procedural issues that might arise within a company supply chain. The real skill is to spot those problems before they become problems and identify possible solutions.

Once potential issues have been identified, the onus will then be on operations analysts to draft and implement practical solutions to the problems and communicate their conclusions to managers. Finding these solutions requires strong business analytics skills.

Because the market is constantly evolving, it’s up to the operations analyst to keep up with changes. Operations analysts need to study and understand market needs and recommend the improvements required to help the company not only survive the winds of change but also to thrive in the face of those changes.

The skills that you have, along with documentation to prove your level of competence, will have a sizable impact on your earning potential and the trajectory of your career path. Take a look at the following list of skills you will need to succeed, and what certifications you can earn to prove your mastery.

The most relevant certifications for an operations analyst are sanctioned by the International Institute of Business Analysis, which offers up a number of certification programs that should set you on the path to a successful career in the field.

There is a high demand for operations research analysts in a wide array of fields, and that demand is only expected to increase. These professionals can earn above-average salaries and their extensive technical and soft skills provide them with career diversity if they wish to move into a different field.