What is (a) business analysis? Definition and examples

A Business Analysis is an investigation into a company’s operations. The aim is to determine what caused the results it achieved as well as those results’ effects on the business.

Business analysis is also a research discipline. It identifies a business enterprise’s needs and determines solutions to problems related to business. This discipline encompasses a variety of techniques and methods used to analyze and evaluate complex data and processes within an organization. Experts in this field are business analysts.

Business analysis – countable & uncountable noun

Business analysis image 5555555Note that in the first paragraph, the term is a countable noun, and in the second, it is an uncountable noun. A countable noun has the word ‘a’ before it while an uncountable noun does not. ‘Water,’ for example, is an uncountable noun, while ‘bottle’ is countable. We can say one bottle, two bottles, etc., but we cannot say one water, two waters, etc.

When the term ‘business analysis’ is uncountable it is a discipline, when it is countable it is an investigation.

Pestle Analysis has the following definition of the term when it is a countable noun:

“A business analysis is an investigation into a company’s operations. The aim is to determine what caused the results it achieved as well as those results’ effects on the business.”

Wikipedia has the following definition of the term when it is an uncountable noun:

“Business analysis is a research discipline of identifying business needs and determining solutions to business problems. Solutions often include a software-systems development component, but may also consist of process improvement, organizational change or strategic planning and policy development.”

What is a business analysis about?

A business analysis is all about gaining a better understanding of how a company operates to achieve its purposes.

During the investigation, you try to define what the business requires to provide goods or services to the external stakeholders.

It is important to find out how the business’ goals and objectives connect. After carrying out the analysis, you need to make a plan showing how the company can achieve its goals and objectives.

Your goals state how you want your business to be while your objectives state how you plan to get there.

Effectively aligning these goals and objectives through business analysis can significantly enhance operational efficiency and market competitiveness.

Business Analysis terms and example sentences

In the world of business, there are many terms related to “business analysis,” especially compound nouns. A compound noun is a term that consists of two or more words. Let’s take a look at some of them, their meanings, and see how we use them in a sentence:

  • Business Analysis Tools

Software or methodologies used to evaluate business data and processes.
Example: “The company invested in advanced business analysis tools to better understand customer behavior patterns.”

  • Business Analysis Techniques

Specific methods employed to understand business needs and solutions.
Example: “Effective business analysis techniques can mean the difference between a project’s success and failure.”

  • Business Analysis Framework

A structured set of guidelines or practices for conducting business analysis work.
Example: “Adopting a robust business analysis framework helped the firm streamline its operations.”

  • Business Analysis Report

A document that outlines the findings of a business analysis.
Example: “The project manager shared the business analysis report which highlighted areas needing improvement.”

  • Business Analysis Plan

A plan that outlines the objectives, scope, and activities for business analysis efforts.
Example: “Before commencing the review, the team drafted a comprehensive business analysis plan.”

  • Business Analysis Manager

A role responsible for leading and coordinating business analysis activities in an organization.
Example: “The business analysis manager will oversee the upcoming market research project.”

Video – What is a Business Analysis?

This educational video, from our sister channel on YouTube – Marketing Business Network, explains what a ‘Business Analysis’ is using simple and easy-to-understand language and examples.