Application analyst
Application analysts are responsible for the administration, monitoring and maintenance of software infrastructures and applications
As an application analyst, you'll ensure the integrity, safety and availability of the software applications that form part of an organisation's information systems. You'll make sure that the practices and processes needed for a business to function and succeed are running smoothly, acting as a technical point of contact to fix application issues - usually on an immediate basis.
You will be an integral member of the IT/technical services team, working alongside application developers and software engineers. The job can be dynamic and fast paced and you may also be involved in:
- the training and support of staff in using applications
- analysis and diagnosis of application errors
- problem resolution in both the long and short term
- design and development of existing and new applications
- road testing and implementation of new applications.
You may specialise in a particular type of application or work across applications.
Responsibilities
The exact duties you undertake vary according to the organisation your work for. For example, you may focus more on problem resolution in some organisations, while in others you may have more of a role in user training.
However, as an application analyst, you'll typically need to:
- identify organisational need for new applications
- research and evaluate new software applications or updates to existing products
- prepare technical specification as a roadmap for software
- implement, test and integrate new applications
- perform routine system backups and upgrades
- install new operation systems and releases
- provide instructions and training to staff when necessary
- monitor, record and respond to requests for support from staff
- investigate and resolve faults, errors and other technical issues
- analyse error trends aimed at reducing or minimising down time
- troubleshoot user issues
- communicate messages regarding software issues to users promptly
- liaise with software suppliers to fulfil the requirements of the organisation
- manage storage servers
- install updates and carry out data backups
- schedule and run regular tests to enhance the current applications
- ensure data is secure
- identify and develop functionality changes
- maintain documentation of key databases and linked applications
- prepare cost analyses for new applications and proposed new IT projects
- attend regular internal and external meetings to provide updates on the progress of your task and to present to users the application solutions you are proposing.
Salary
- Average starting salaries range from £29,000 to £32,000.
- With experience salaries rise to around £35,000 to £45,000.
- In senior roles you'll earn in excess of £60,000.
Salaries vary depending on a range of factors such as the sector you work in, the type of employer and your location, as well as your qualifications, certifications, specialisms and experience.
Additional benefits may include life insurance, private medical cover, dental plans and a company car. Bonuses are also offered.
Income figures are intended as a guide only.
Working hours
You'll typically work 37 to 40 hours a week. Overtime, including weekends, is possible, in order to deal with any technical issues.
There may be opportunities for hybrid working.
What to expect
- You'll be office based, often working in a project team on multiple projects.
- Working at computers for prolonged periods of time is a feature of the role.
- You may also need to move and carry equipment.
- Jobs are available in many large towns and cities in the UK. Contract work on projects is possible for experienced application analysts, which can be on a part-time or freelance basis.
- Although more companies are addressing the gender imbalance in the IT sector, women are still underrepresented. This is a recognised issue and steps are being taken to redress the balance. See Women in Tech and BCSWomen for more information and opportunities.
- You'll need to keep your knowledge up to date, as this is a fast-paced environment with new and updated applications constantly being introduced.
Qualifications
Relevant degree, HND and foundation degrees include:
- computer science
- engineering
- information systems
- information technology
- mathematics.
Strong technical skills are essential as is knowledge of, and certification in, relevant computer languages and applications.
Technical experience is highly valued and can be the deciding factor at the interview stage. Any previous relevant support experience can increase your chances of success when looking for a job.
Entry into the field may be possible without a degree or HND in an entry-level role. You could then work your way up by doing further training and qualifications while gaining experience.
Skills
You'll need to have:
- excellent communication and interpersonal skills, both written and verbal, for communicating with both internal and external clients and stakeholders
- excellent analytical skills
- the ability to relay technical information to non-technical users and elicit clients' needs
- customer service skills with the ability to build professional relationships
- a creative approach to problem solving
- a methodical, investigative and inquisitive mind and attention to detail
- patience and understanding
- the ability to work independently but also as a part of a team
- project-management skills and the ability to switch between tasks quickly
- a proactive, logical, organised and flexible approach to work
- planning and time management skills with the ability to work to deadlines and give realistic estimates
- the ability to learn quickly.
Work experience
Employers look for applicants with prior experience, so it's vital that you get some relevant work experience while at university. This could be through vacation work, an internship or an industrial placement. Some degree courses include a year in industry, where you can develop your skills and experience through real-life projects, and also build a network of contacts in the industry.
Large companies often advertise internships and placements on their websites and on IT job websites, but you may have to make targeted speculative applications to smaller businesses. Charities also look for volunteers to support their work.
Get in touch with your university's careers service to receive advice on placements and find internship opportunities.
Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available.
Employers
Opportunities for application analysts exist in all sectors of employment from financial services, education and public administration to healthcare and retail. You can work across the UK and for any size of organisation.
The main players are the big organisations with well-developed IT systems, and these often run their own graduate schemes.
Working with a small to medium-sized enterprise (SME) may allow you to develop a broader range of skills, gain earlier responsibility and experience a variety of short-term projects.
Look for job vacancies at:
Networking and personal contacts can provide opportunities for freelance work. Competition is strong, as advertised jobs attract specialists from all over the world. However, there is a demand for skilled IT workers.
Professional development
You will need to keep learning throughout your career to keep up to date with new technologies and advances in products and services. This can be done through:
- in-house training courses, which are more typical in larger organisations
- specific application, language or operating system courses, usually provided by the product vendor
- additional qualifications relating to the job such as IT service management, software testing and business intelligence.
Membership of relevant bodies such as The Institution of Analysts and Programmers (IAP) and the BCS (The Chartered Institute for IT) is useful for access to events, training, advice and building up a network of contacts.
Informal training takes place among colleagues and application analysts usually manage their own training needs.
Career prospects
As an application analyst, you can be promoted within your organisation, taking on more responsibility for managing projects and/or teams. You may become a team leader or senior application analyst.
You may choose to develop in-depth knowledge of a particular application or language to become an expert. Alternatively, you may move into software architecture, particularly solutions architecture, as many of the skills needed to be an application analyst overlap with those of a software architect.
You might want to move from the support side of IT into the development side, i.e. software development and testing. It may also be possible to progress into a business analyst or project manager role.
Self-employment, on a contract basis or even through setting up a consultancy company, can be possible for experienced application analysts.