5 HABITS OF HIGHLY EFFECTIVE ANALYSTS

The whole idea behind data analysis is unraveling unbiased answers about an issue, being able to see what the untrained eye cannot. It will require the data analyst to be inquisitive on the job and not take anything for a coincidence.

In general, the attributes you would expect of an analyst are both analytical and abstract. A data analyst must understand the issue, the solution to the problem and the means used in arriving at the solution. This means that an effective analyst is one who understands how best to elicit imperfect data using deceits and tactics, making the information as impartial as possible.

Below are practicable habits of an effective analysts:

Attention to Details

As an effective analyst, understanding the correct path that the transactions are meant to follow is key, but being able to pick out the slightest error is even more important. An effective analyst must understand the distinctions of the data they are working with. All possible variations must be noted and explainable. For example, it is important to understand the difference between null values and blank fields and how to extract data consequently. The analyst must understand how the differentiation between a numerical field and text value is important during calculations.

Suspicious

An effective analyst must understand that their work does not show perfect answers in any way. Take this analogy for instance: an analyst is quizzed with the examination and determining of the response rate of a marketing promotion that offered a skip-a-payment on auto loan, the analyst must figure out the customers who skipped a payment for the month. It may have skipped their mind to mail their payment or that they generally have started defaulting. The analyst must understand also how to make the adjustment to the data to give the best results.

Acceptance of the unknown

An effective analyst should know that there are always unknown and unforeseeable variables that affect the result of data analysis. Take an analogy of an analyst answering whether a new industrial company has contaminated the city’s water supply, a straightforward time-series analysis can answer that, however there are other conditions that could have brought about pollution at the same time. So, one of the habits an effective analyst should have is to have apt knowledge about the many variables that could affect the data and account of his variable.

Great love for data investigation

Most computer genius employees can figure how to run a SQL query and get their answer. However, misleading the answers can be, you will get your result. Effective data analysis requires the analyst first does explorative research. Analysts work hard to gather data on everything that could affect the variable he is working on.

Curiosity

This could as well be tagged as the most important trait of an effective analyst. Although it is necessary to be knowledgeable and harness the technical ability, it is particularly important to know how things work and why they do.