What is that you say?
In Business Intelligence and Analytics there has been much discussion around the Data Scientist, Business Analyst and Data Analyst. There is a definite skills gap, and the need for more Data Scientists, has turned to the growing need for Business Analysts who can use analytics tools, and is evolving to the Data Artisan – one that can take those tools and use the knowledge of their business to get the analysis needed in the line of business to make better informed decisions.
To address the gap, training is needed. We offer an Educational Grant program at some universities, but more and more universities are beginning to introduce business programs that will train this new wave of analysts. With today’s tools, analysts don’t need to have a PHD, or the same type of training that they used to require.
Today’s Wall Street Journal CIO (1) highlights this increased demand with an infographic:
- 58% believe the best source of new data scientist will be university students; 12% think the best source will be today’s BI analysts
- 83% of data scientists and business intelligence analysts think new tools and technology will increase demand for data scientists
- 64% believe demand for data scientists will outpace supply
I also attended an IDC Software Predictions discussion today and the shortage of Big Data Analytics skills was addressed there as well. The prediction is that because of this need, companies will turn to more solutions and tools to help address this gap.
We at Alteryx blogged about this last August as well – in Defense of the Data Analyst.
As you can see – the shortage will only continue to grow, but it will be an interesting year to see how the skills available now will grow and evolve within organizations, and especially the line-of-business, as more of these analysts leverage the analytical tools available to them and evolvein to the Data Artisan.
Stay tuned to this topic – I’m sure there is more to come.
- Source: IDC and EMC Corp in the Wall Street Journal
