Ah, analytics…Powers-that-be in your company want you to implement it like yesterday, but you’re not sure which software is best for your organization. There are dozens of choices out there, and each one claims to be the best. Well, how do you choose? Oftentimes this decision comes down to budget; which could mean you’re left in the dark. This guide will show how to choose the best software for business analysis (and tell you when free is good enough).
Importance of Business Analysis
Poorly defined requirements can badly affect the projects in terms of time, rework and cost.
Hence, defining the requirements correctly is the basic and most important step in the project development process. This, in turn, explains the importance of business analysis and business analyst in the project.
The below image will explain the impact of poor requirements
[image source]
Business Analysis Techniques
- Strategic business analysis
- Analytical business analysis
- Investigative business analysis
- Project management and much more.
Target to Achieve Through Business Analysis
- Enough documentation
- Efficiency improvement
- Providing nice tools for project management
Business Analysis Process – Sequentially
- Get complete information about the business/project.
- Focus on the points which requires more attention or which are not discussed in detail.
- Defining the scope or describing the requirements in detail. Describing Requirements correctly is important for correct implementation.
- Approved requirements will be discussed with the technical teams for implementing these requirements.
- Changes required in the project.
Deciding the scope of business analysis is difficult because of its wideness, hence while performing it, the business analyst uses his/her specialty as a Strategy Analyst, Business Architect, or System Analyst.
In short, a business analyst can perform any one role out of the three: Strategy Analyst, Business Architect, or System Analyst.
How Do Business Analysts Analyze Business Requirements?
In this process, a business analyst investigates, defines, and documents the requirements. From this documentation, the Business Analyst will be able to decide the scope, timeline, and resources of the project.
A business analyst will act as a link between the client and the technical team. There are different kinds of business analysis tools that are available. These tools can be categorized based on their functions:
Business Process Diagram, Documentation, Presentation, CRM, Analytics, Taking Notes, Communication (Calls/Meetings), Collaboration, Automation, Brainstorming, Visualization, Data Discovery and Data Gathering, Brainstorming, Visualization, Project Management, Data Analysis, Requirement Management, Planning, and Model Building are few categories.=> Contact us to suggest a listing here.
Most Popular Business Analysis Tools
Enlisted below are a list of the most commonly used Business Analyst tools that are categorized based on their usage.
Let’s Explore!!
#1) Creatio
Creatio is a low code platform with CRM and process automation functionalities. This low code platform will let IT as well as non-IT people build the apps according to their specific business needs. It supports on-premise as well as in cloud deployment. This BPM tool is best for medium to large businesses.
Features:
- Creatio offers the CRM solution for Marketing, Sales, and Service.
- Its self-service portal will let you collaborate with clients.
- It has out-of-the-box solutions that will extend platform functionality.
- Creatio CRM is the platform with a wide range of features such as 360? customer view, lead management, opportunity management, product management, document flow automation, case management, Contact Center, and Analytics.
- You can personalize the communication with the client through Service Creatio.
- It has features for product management like maintaining a product catalog hierarchy.
- It will let you group products based on custom or pre-defined product attributes like brand, category, etc.
#2) Oracle NetSuite
Oracle NetSuite is one unified Business Management suite. It has solutions for small to large size businesses. It contains functionalities for ERP, CRM, e-commerce, etc. SuiteAnalytics provides the tool of Saved Search that will filter and match data for answering different business questions.
It provides standard and customizable reports for all transaction types. It will let you create a Workbook without coding and helps you with analyzing the data.
Features:
- Oracle NetSuite offers an easy to use, scalable, and agile business solution that provides several functionalities like ERP and CRM and hence suitable for small businesses.
- Medium-sized businesses can cut their IT costs in half, reduce financial close times 20% to 50%, and improves quote to cash cycle times by 50% by using Oracle NetSuite.
- Oracle NetSuite has functionalities to help global enterprises with their complex functional, industry, regulatory, and tax requirements.
=> Get Oracle NetSuite Free Product Tour Here
#3) Xplenty
Xplenty is a cloud-based data integration platform that will bring all your data sources together. It offers no-code and low-code options that will make the platform to be usable by anyone.
Its intuitive graphic interface will help you to implement an ETL, ELT, or a replication solution. Xplenty offers solutions for marketing, sales, customer support, and developers.
Features:
- Xplenty’s marketing analytics solution will provide omnichannel marketing, data-driven insights, and features to enrich your marketing database.
- Its customer support analytics solution will help you with better business decisions and provide comprehensive insights.
- Xplenty’s sales analytics solution provides the features to understand your customers, data enrichment, centralized database, for keeping your CRM organized, etc.
#4) Oribi
Oribi marketing analytics tool contains the capabilities of custom reports, automated event capturing, visitor Journey & email capturing, etc. It is suitable for all business sizes. Businesses will get benefited from the cutting-edge technology and top-notch optimization guidance of Oribi.
Features:
- Oribi provides actionable insights.
- It offers the features for event tracking and allows defining conversion goals without any code.
- You can easily create super funnels with just a few clicks and capture where the visitors are lost.
- You can easily spot the differences between visitor behavior by filtering the funnel by channels, devices, and countries.
- It offers the features for marketing channel analysis such as tracking & comparing multiple campaigns and evaluating the contribution of each channel to the goals.
- It offers many more capabilities such as visitor journeys, reports, marketing attribution, etc.
#5) Wrike
Wrike is a cloud-based project management software. It is a SaaS product. With the help of Android and iOS apps, you will be able to update and provide tasks from anywhere.
Features:
- It will help you in setting the deadlines, scheduling, and other processes.
- It assists you in balancing resources.
- It will support you in keeping a track of the timelines and budget.
- It provides Calendar, communication window, and approval window.
#6) HubSpot
HubSpot is an Inbound Marketing, Sales, and Service Software. Its Marketing Analytics Software will help you with measuring the performance of all your marketing campaigns in one place. It has a built-in analytics facility and provides reports and dashboards.
Features:
- You will be able to analyze the site’s performance with key metrics.
- You will know about the quality and quantity of traffic.
- You can filter the analytics by country or specific URL structure.
- For each of your marketing channels, you will get detailed reports.
Business Process Diagramming, Wireframing, Flowcharts
#7) Microsoft Visio
It is an application for making diagrams. It is a part of the MS Office for Standard and Professional editions.
Features:
- Helps in drawing advanced diagrams and templates.
- Diagrams can be connected to data sources.
- It can display the data graphically.
- Advanced shapes are provided for electrical diagrams, floor plans, site plans, and office layouts.
URL: Microsoft Visio
#8) Bizagi
Bizagi provides Business Process Management tools. It has three products for on-premise use, i.e. Bizagi Modeler, Studio, and automation. In the cloud, it provides a platform as a service.
Features:
- Bizagi Modeler is used for drawing diagrams. It follows BPMN.
- It supports Word, PDF, Wiki, and Share Point.
- Provides agile automation platform.
URL: Bizagi
#9) LucidCharts
It is a web-based solution for diagrams and charts. You can use it, by getting its subscriptions.
Features:
- With this tool, you can draw simple as well as complex diagrams and flow charts.
- You can create a connection between the live data and diagrams.
- Supports data import for automatic creation of build org charts.
URL: LucidCharts
#10) Axure
Axure RP can create wireframe diagrams, software prototypes, and functional specifications. This tool is for web-based and desktop applications.
Features:
- Easy to use because of drag and drop facility. You can resize and format the diagram components as well.
- For wireframing, it provides many controls like image, text panel, hyperlinks, table, etc.
- It provides many forms of control like buttons, text areas, drop-down lists, and much more.
URL: Axure
#11) Balsamiq
With the help of Balsamiq, you can create the wireframes for websites. Balsamiq also provides a GUI for mock-up.
Features:
- It provides an editor.
- Drag and drop facility.
- You can use Balsamiq as a desktop application and as a plug-in for Google Drive, Confluence, and JIRA.
URL: Balsamiq
Model Building Designing
#12) Pencil
It helps in creating the decision models. It provides a collaborative platform for improved communication.
Features:
- The created model can be tested with real data.
- It provides traceability to original requirements by allowing you to document and link the requirements.
- Decision Model and Notation.
URL: Pencil
#13) BPMN (Business Process Model and Notation)
With the help of this tool, you can draw graphical diagrams for business processes.
Features:
- Supports mapping of graphics and BPEL (Business Process Execution Language).
- Supports the creation of new flow objects.
- It has a limited set of elements divided into four categories.
URL: BPMN
#14) InVision
With the help of this tool, you can create a design for your product. You can use this tool with DropBox, Slack, JIRA, BaseCamp, Confluence, Teamwork, Microsoft teams, and Trello.
Features:
- InVision Cloud: You can create designs for products.
- InVision Studio: This tool will help you in designing the screen.
- InVision DSM (Design System Manager): With the help of the Design System manager your changes will get sync, and you will be able to access the library from InVision Studio.
URL: In Vision
#15) Draw.io
With the help of this tool, you can draw flowcharts, process diagrams, org charts, UML, ER diagrams, network diagrams etc. You can work online or offline. Draw.io provides a training material.
Features:
- You can import and export different formats.
- It is easy to use.
- It is compatible with any browser, desktop or mobile devices.
URL: Draw.io
Requirements Management
#16) Rational Requisite Pro
IBM Rational Requisite Pro tool is for requirements management.
Features:
- It provides integration with the Microsoft Word.
- Can be integrated with the database.
- Helps in prioritizing the requirements, tracking changes, and tracing relationships between requirements.
#17) CASE Spec
This tool is by Visual Trace Spec. It is a requirements management tool. It supports importing data from the existing documents.
Features:
- It is user-friendly.
- You can manage multiple projects.
- Reusable data and data structure.
- Supports traceability to requirements.
- You can generate analysis reports.
URL: CASE Spec
Planning
#18) Blueprint
It is the tool for agile planning. It will scale your enterprise agility.
Features:
- It can create lean documentation from the artifacts.
- It can be integrated with JIRA.
- It helps to deliver the product faster.
URL: Blueprint
Documentation
#19) Microsoft Word
It is a word processor. Microsoft Word is available for Windows and Mac OS. The file will be saved with .doc or .docx extensions.
Features:
- Built-in spelling checker and dictionary.
- You can protect the document with passwords. Passwords can be set separately, to restrict form opening, modifying, and formatting the document.
- Other features by Word include Macros, Word art, layouts, numbering etc.
URL: Microsoft Word
Data Manipulation and Analysis
#20) MS Excel
This spreadsheet can be used on Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS. You can password to protect this document.
Features:
- It supports calculation.
- MS Excel also supports macro programming language.
- Can use the data from external data sources.
URL: MS Excel
#21) SWOT
It is an analysis tool. SWOT stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and threats.
Features:
- Useful for decision making.
- Helpful for pre-crisis planning.
- It can be used for matching strengths to opportunities and for converting threats to opportunities.
#22) R Data Manipulation
It is free software. R is a statistical computing and graphics software.
Features:
- It can be used on UNIX, Windows, and Mac OS.
- It provides IDE that is specially built for R.
- It can manage multiple working directories.
- Provides powerful debugging options.
URL: R Data Manipulation
Project Management/Testing
#23) JIRA
JIRA is a bug tracking and agile project management tool. You can create stories. You can prioritize the tasks as well.
Features:
- With the help of JIRA, you can do sprint planning.
- You can create your own workflow or can use the existing one.
- It can be integrated with the existing tools that you are using.
URL: Jira
#24) Trello
It is a project management tool. It is a web application and is available for free.
Features:
- It can be integrated with the existing tools.
- Data syncing from all your devices.
- You can use it for personal work.
URL: Trello
Data Discovery and Data Gathering
#25) SQL
SQL is used for programming. It is used for data operations in RDBMS. It can handle structured data.
Features:
- It supports cross-platform.
- It is a declarative programming language.
URL: Sql
#26) Teradata
This tool provides analytics. It is a cloud-based solution.
Features:
- You can use this tool for operational excellence, risk mitigation, customer experience, financial transformation, product innovation, and asset optimization.
- It supports integrations with SQL, R, and Python and also with the workbenches.
- To access a large amount of data, this platform provides you the facility to use an analytic tool and language.
URL: Teradata
#27) Hive
It is the software for the data warehouse.
Features:
- You can read, write, and manage large data.
- Provides command line tool and JDBC drivers.
URL: Hive
Visualization
#28) Tableau
This is a tool for creating data visualization. You can combine and access data, and there is no need to write the code.
Features:
- You can easily create visualizations using the drag and drop facility.
- It can be connected to any database.
- Tableau can also be connected to data on-premise or in the cloud.
URL: Tableau
#29) Spotfire
It is a data visualization tool. This tool helps in data discovery, data wrangling, big data analytics, and providing predictive analytics
Features:
- Provides visual analytics and smart data discovery.
- It can connect location and data.
- During data wrangling, Spotfire will build a visual model and it will also document all the changes done.
URL: Spotfire
#30) QlikView
QlikView is a tool for developing guided analytics applications.
Features:
- It helps in building the analytics applications.
- Guided analytics helps in decision making.
URL: Qlik View
Brainstorming
#31) Mindmeister
It is a cloud-based application for visualizing and sharing thoughts. It provides an editor for your ideas.
Features:
- You can access Mindmeister from the browser.
- It helps in project management.
- It creates shareable mind maps.
URL: Mindmeister
Automation
#32) Python
Python is a programming language.
Features:
- It follows Object-oriented, imperative, functional, procedural concepts.
- Python interpreter supports multiple operating systems.
- Rich Python library contains many tools. It also provides tools to support web applications.
URL: Python
#33) Githhub
GitHub provides a development platform for the developers. It is for all types of businesses.
Features:
- Supports development of open source projects.
- Can be used on-premise or in the cloud.
- GitHub provides code security and access controls.
URL: Githhub
Collaboration
#34) Google Docs
Read More => How To Strikethrough On Google Docs (A Step-by-Step Guide)
Google docs provide you the facility to create new and modify the existing documents from anywhere. It is free.
Features:
- Provides many options for fonts, adding links, images etc.
- You can access them from anywhere.
- Few in-built templates are also provided.
URL: Google Docs
Call/Meetings
#35) Zoom
Zoom is a communication tool. It is used for training, webinars, conferencing etc.
Features:
- It provides clear audio and video.
- Supports wireless content sharing.
- It can be used on desktops, mobiles, and laptops for instant sharing of files or messages.
URL: Zoom
#36) Skype
Skype is a communication tool for sending messages, video or audio calls.
Features:
- Group video calls.
- You can make calls to the contacts who don’t have skype at very low rates.
- It can be used on desktops, mobiles, and laptops.
URL: Skype
#37) GoToMeetings
It is a cloud-based video conferencing tool.
Features:
- It is specially made for professional use.
- It can be used on any device.
- You will be able to schedule a meeting, manage teams, and send messages.
URL: GoToMeetings
Presentation
#38) Microsoft PowerPoint
This tool will help you in creating presentations. It can be used on Windows OS.
Features:
- You can add text, images, videos, sounds, links, or even animations in presentations or slides.
- You can manage text, font & color, background color etc.
- With the help of PowerPoint online feature, you can view presentations even though if you don’t have Microsoft PowerPoint.
Note Taking
#39) MS OneNote
MS OneNote is a tool which is used for taking notes. It is like a notebook on your digital device. It can be used on desktops, laptops, and mobiles.
Features:
- You can save screen clippings.
- You can save note by writing or typing anywhere anytime.
- It supports Mac OS, Windows, iOS, and Android.
- Saved notes can be shared.
URL: MS OneNote
#40) Evernote
It is a note-taking application for mobiles.
Features:
- With this tool, you can capture notes, videos, and photos.
- You can access notes from anywhere.
- You can search the saved notes, and it will save time.
URL: Evernote
Analytics
#41) Google
Google Analytics helps in tracking the website traffic and provides the reports accordingly.
Features:
- Provides three steps simple solution.
- Free tools will be provided for analysis.
- It will provide deeper insights.
- It will try to connect insights with the correct customers.
URL: Google
#42) KISSmetrics
It will provide analytics for your products or websites. It will analyze for behavior based engagement.
Features:
- It helps in increasing the performance by providing you analytics for what is working and what is not.
- It supports driving customer engagement by automated emails.
URL: KISSmetrics
CRM
#43) Zoho
This CRM system is for small, medium, and large businesses. It will prioritize emails based on context and analytics.
Features:
- It helps in managing your company interactions on social media.
- It provides call analytics and reminders.
- Provides live chat facility.
#44) Sugar CRM
It is a customer relationship management application. It is a web-based solution. It provides three editions Professional, Enterprise, and Ultimate.
Features:
- It provides functionalities of marketing campaigns, sales force automation, Mobile & Social CRM, and Reporting.
- It supports Linux, Windows, Solaris and Mac OS.
- It will help in improving the speed and efficiency.
Why do the business analysts need the best business analysis tools for analysis?
Fundamentally, a business analyst needs the best business analysis tools to perform the following functions:
- To track requirements
- To manage the requirements
- To describe requirements in detail
- Business process diagram –To model requirements diagrammatically wherever feasible such as Business Process diagram
- To collaborate with teams and stakeholders
Types of Business Analysis Tools
There are three major categories of different types of tools on the basis of the above-mentioned functions. In the next section, we will explain those categories –
- Requirement-related tools i.e. to describe, manage, and track requirements
- Modelling tools
- Collaboration tools
Category 1: What is the purpose of requirement related business analysis tools?
In general, Microsoft Word or Microsoft Excel can be used for requirement management like tracking requirements and describing those requirements. However, these tools are not always effective, and specialized software for requirement management helps to manage the entire job via these tools.
The following are reasons why a business analyst should use requirement-related tools –
- To remember the changing requirements
A project may have many requirements for a complete process flow which typically consists of use cases where each use case represents business functionality. Hence, with the change of any use case, the business analyst needs to update related requirement. Now for a human being, it is quite difficult to remember all the requirements and use cases mappings in memory. However, a tool can maintain these relationships easily even if the requirement increases drastically.
- To sync up with the development team
Top business analysis tools have capabilities to notify about the changes in requirements automatically. Hence, if a business analyst changes the requirement using the tool, the development team gets notified without interacting with people. This helps to prevent code rework and effort loss.
- To coordinate with QA team easily
Besides the development team, it is also essential for the testing team to get updated on the changed requirements. Most of the functional test cases are requirement based. Hence, if the requirements get changed, testers need to change the test scripts right away to cover the new requirements.
- To identify the best requirements for a project
During the requirement analysis phase, business analysts collect a lot of requirements. However, most of them don’t need to be implemented at a later point in time. Furthermore, sometimes project de-scopes some of them as the related business objectives no longer seem valid for company objective. Hence, a requirement management tool helps in this regard by prioritizing de-scoped items appropriately. Moreover, with the help of tools, you can trace all requirements through features meeting business objectives. Hence, it becomes easy to identify the requirements that will provide the best ROI.
- To manage one-to-many relationships
There are scenarios where we need to maintain more than one use cases for multiple process flows. This is a complex situation where it is very hard to decide which requirements and process flow need to be updated for the change in a single use case. Best requirement analysis tools can help in this scenario to correctly identify and map the relations by easy navigation.
Conclusion
Have you ever wondered what’s the best software for business analysis? Or how to choose the best ones to help you with your projects? There are many applications ranging from simple spreadsheet applications to complex analytical tools. How do you know which one is the best for you to use?