Defining the DNA of a High-Impact Business Analyst

Whether you're in healthcare, finance, or tech — every organization needs someone who can decode the myriad of complex data points into information that can be utilized to make smart business decisions. That someone is the Business Analyst (BA).

At JGroendyke, we’ve seen firsthand how the best BAs don’t just gather requirements and build reports. They transform businesses from the inside out. 

But what exactly makes a Business Analyst great?

Most people see data. Great BAs see the future.

1. They Don’t Wait for Answers — They Hunt Them

The best Business Analysts are naturally curious. They don’t sit back hoping someone drops the perfect Excel sheet in their inbox. They go looking — asking smart questions, digging through messy data sets, and talking to people across the organization to get a real sense of what’s happening.

Take the 2013 story of the Target pregnancy prediction algorithm. Analysts at Target were tasked with identifying shopping patterns that could predict if a customer was pregnant. Through creative problem-solving and pattern recognition, one analyst noticed that buying unscented lotion and certain supplements often preceded maternity-related purchases.

That insight led to highly personalized marketing — sometimes too personalized (Target once sent coupons for baby gear to a teen whose parents didn’t yet know she was pregnant 😅). It’s a reminder that when a BA digs deep, they can uncover powerful insights — but it’s also a lesson in using those insights with care and context.

In short: Great BAs are detectives, not order-takers.

2. They Marry Data With Business Insight

It’s not just about knowing the numbers — it’s about understanding where they come from, what they mean, and how they connect to real business outcomes. Great Business Analysts understand the "how" behind the data collection and the "why" behind the business’s strategy.

In healthcare systems like the ones we work with at JGroendyke, data is everywhere — patient outcomes, provider schedules, billing, staffing, and more. A great BA doesn’t just analyze the data; they understand how a missed appointment affects patient care, staffing needs, and the bottom line. They connect the dots in ways that drive smart, ethical decisions.

Think of it this way: a good BA builds dashboards. A great BA knows what questions that dashboard needs to answer — and which decisions it should influence.

3. They Empower, Not Overpower

A rookie BA might think the goal is to become the data guru everyone relies on. But the great ones know their real value lies in making others better. That means building tools and processes that live on after they’ve moved to the next project.

Equip. Empower. Release.

They also engage with teams early and often. Instead of dropping a solution from on high, they learn the day-to-day reality of each department, then co-create changes that make sense. They turn skeptics into advocates and confusion into confidence.

Ultimately, a great BA’s legacy isn’t in the number of reports they’ve built — it’s in how smoothly things run after they’re gone.

4. They Adapt When the Plan Falls Apart

No matter how great your Gantt chart looks, something will go wrong. Stakeholder needs will shift. A data source will suddenly vanish. A requirement will get lost in translation.

Great Business Analysts don’t panic — they pivot. They stay calm, reframe the problem, and find a new path forward. Attention to detail and flexible thinking aren’t just perks — they’re survival skills.

And when they hit roadblocks? They don’t just report them — they help clear them. They’re proactive, communicative, and solutions-focused. They own the process, and in doing so, they keep progress moving.

BAs: The Quiet Powerhouse of Progress

Being a great Business Analyst isn’t about fancy titles or being the smartest person in the room. It’s about curiosity, humility, adaptability, and a deep commitment to helping the business — and its people — thrive.

At JGroendyke, we believe in cultivating Business Analysts who don’t just check the boxes, but redefine what the boxes should be. Whether you're a veteran BA or just stepping into the role, aim not just to answer questions — but to ask better ones.

Because in the right hands, data isn’t just numbers. It’s a roadmap to transformation.