Are You a Good or a Great Data Analyst? The 5-Question Test

So, you are a data analyst. Probably, a good one too! However, if you are looking to move from good to great, there are certain critical traits and attributes you need to develop.

Here are 5 questions to help you assess where you stand on the scale and provide pointers on developing the skills you need.

1. Are you excited by the idea of becoming a lifelong learner?

   You know that a good data analyst has to be proficient in technical skills. And chances are you have invested considerable time and effort in learning the tools of the trade – SQL, R, Python, data visualization…

   However, are you committed to the idea of lifelong learning?

   Technologies are constantly evolving. Great data analysts recognize this reality and are invested in updating skills on an ongoing basis. So carve out time for courses, learn new skills, and hit all those technical training workshops. It is the only way to stay relevant.

2. What’s your creativity quotient?

   Creativity and data are often regarded as conflicting concepts. However, the best data analysts are ‘ambidextrous’ folks. Their creative thinking skills are the superpower that enables them to go beyond number-crunching and offer some truly unique perspectives.

   Creative data analysts excel at exploring data from divergent, novel angles, framing insightful questions, drawing original hypotheses, problem-solving and seeing patterns that ordinary data analysts might miss.

3. Can you communicate & collaborate effectively?

   Yes, you are good with data. But are you good with people?

   Communication and collaboration are vital skills to becoming a great analyst. You might have arrived at a brilliant analysis; however, your work is useless if you cannot explain it effectively to your colleagues.

   The best data analysts are champions at speaking, writing, explaining, and listening. They
   have a knack for sharing data through suitable mediums with business owners, system owners, and others. They understand best what the audience needs and the best mode for communicating it.

   Also, along with being adept at presenting their perspective, they can also understand and act on other team members’ viewpoints. This ensures collaborative work.

4. Do you get the business logic?

   There’s a difference between “insight” and “actionable insight.” Insight is an accurate and deep understanding, while actionable insight is information that can be acted upon with the expectation of improved performance.Great business analysts understand this difference and always keep the business logic in sight when analyzing data.

   They try to understand the context of the use case – how the business works, the key strategies, the competition and the challenges – and then approach the data, thus increasing the chance of unlocking actionable insights.

5. Can you tell a good story?

   Good analysts can derive valuable insights from data. Great data analysts can weave compelling stories out of the data.

   A great data analyst understands the power of storytelling. Data, when simplified, clarified and presented in context, complete with illustrations (graphs, charts, and visualizations), holds much more relevance and value for the audience.

   The right insights, presented clearly and confidently, help the audience to grasp the subject matter easily and guide decision-makers in the right direction.

   However, one caveat that great data analysts never ignore is the golden rule of not coming to conclusions beyond the data.

Now, the good news. All five skills discussed here can be improved with practice. So, even if you are hovering at the lower end of the scale, you can leap to ‘great’ by consciously following the tips outlined.