Systems analyst

As a systems analyst, you'll evaluate an organisation's IT systems and identify new IT solutions, modify existing systems and integrate new features to improve business efficiency and productivity

You will monitor the performance of an organisation's current IT structure, anticipating when it needs updating or replacing. For each development process you plan, you'll carry out a cost analysis and agree on a timeframe for the implementation schedule.

A key part of the role is liaising between, and reporting to, internal and external clients and stakeholders (including programmers and developers). Overlap with project management is also common.

To be successful, you will need a mix of both technical and business skills as you will be building relationships with clients and other stakeholders.

Job titles in the IT sector are fluid so look closely at job descriptions rather than job titles.

Responsibilities

As a systems analyst, you'll typically need to:

• examine and analyse existing IT systems and business models and identify areas for improvement
• write reports on requirements and identify options for potential solutions, such as a new system or a system upgrade, and assess them for both technical and business suitability
• liaise closely with both internal and external clients and present proposals
• translate client requirements into detailed project briefs
• conduct requirements analysis and prepare specific proposals for modified or replacement systems
• produce project feasibility and costings reports
• work closely with programmers and developers to develop solutions and build new systems and IT frameworks
• work with testers and a variety of end users to ensure technical compatibility and user satisfaction
• troubleshoot any technical issues
• ensure that budgets are adhered to, and deadlines are met
• draw up, supervise and document testing schedules for complete system
• oversee implementation of a new system including data migration
• map and document interfaces between legacy and new systems
• support users on change control and system updates
• provide training and user manuals to users of a new system
• maintain and monitor existing systems to ensure optimal efficiency
• carry out risk analysis and plan how to mitigate any risks to the organisation's IT systems
• keep up to date with industry developments and trends and emerging technologies.

Salary

• Junior analysts generally earn on average £25,000 to £26,500.
• With a few years' experience, analysts can earn up to and above £40,000.
• Senior systems analysts can earn over £60,000.
• Salaries are higher in some sectors, especially the financial sector and in London, the South East and the Midlands. If you have good business skills, you could move into more strategic business development roles with higher pay.

Salaries vary depending on your location, the sector you work in, and the size and type of employer, as well as your skills, experience and level of responsibility.

Figures are intended as a guide only. For information on systems analyst salaries, see IT Jobs Watch.

Working hours

You'll typically work 37 to 40 hours a week. Overtime, including weekends, is possible, in order to meet deadlines and deal with any technical issues.

There may be opportunities for hybrid or home working.

What to expect

• You'll be office based with work usually taking place in a project team, which might be based on clients' premises.
• Jobs are available in many large towns and cities in the UK. Experienced analysts may choose to set up as independent consultants.
• 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 travel to meet clients and may have to stay away from home overnight. You may also travel overseas if the company has interests and clients outside the UK.

Qualifications

Systems analysts usually enter the profession as junior programmers and gain experience before moving into an analyst role.

Many systems analysts are graduates in IT and business subjects. The following degree subjects are relevant:

• business management and information systems
• business administration
• computer science
• information technology/technology management
• information management systems
• mathematics and operational research
• science-based subjects.

If your degree is in a business-related subject, you'll need to demonstrate interest in, and a clear understanding of, technology and information management systems, preferably with evidence of relevant qualifications outside your degree studies.

If you're a graduate from a non IT-related subject, you could take a relevant postgraduate qualification in IT and business skills. Search postgraduate courses in computer science.

Tech Industry Gold Skills, with the help of some of the biggest employers, has designed the BSc and MSc IT Management for Business (ITMB) degrees. The aim is to give students the technical, business and interpersonal skills needed for a career in the IT sector. These degrees are accredited by TechSkills.

There are also a range of IT degree courses that are accredited by the British Computer Society for Chartered IT.

Alternatively, you can do a degree apprenticeship. The Level 6 Digital & Technology degree apprenticeship, for example, combines study with paid work, allowing you to train on the job and gain a qualification. You can search for an apprenticeship using Find an apprenticeship.

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:

• a high level of technical expertise and broad knowledge of IT hardware, software, systems analysis and design tools, programming and scripting languages, database and SQL
• excellent analytical skills
• a methodical, investigative and inquisitive mind and attention to detail
• good interpersonal and client-handling skills, with the ability to manage expectations and explain technical detail
• excellent oral and written communication skills
• good presentation skills
• the ability to learn quickly
• teamworking skills
• a creative approach to problem solving
• organisation, planning and time management skills
• negotiating skills
• project management skills
• initiative and self-confidence
• a flexible approach to work
• an awareness of current business practices and an interest in the way organisational processes work.

Work experience

It's vital that you get some relevant IT-related work experience. 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 usually advertise internships and placements on their websites and on IT job websites, but you may have to make targeted speculative applications to smaller businesses.

Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available.

Employers

IT businesses in the UK range from industry giants, such as IBM, to micro organisations employing fewer than five people, so you should think about which type of organisation will best suit your needs.

Analysts work in almost every kind of organisation within the IT industry, including firms of management consultants, software and systems houses, and large manufacturers of computing equipment, who offer consultancy services.

Consultants' client companies are diverse and include:

• automotive firms
• the civil service
• commercial and manufacturing companies
• education institutions
• the financial services and insurance sector
• global investment banks
• the public sector
• retailers
• service industries
• utility companies.

Some IT companies specialise in one area, such as internet solutions, or produce software tailored to a particular market. If you're employed as an analyst, you'll be required to have or develop specialist knowledge and experience in that area or about those products and client sectors.

Some end-user organisations with large IT departments may employ their own internal analysts.

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.

Opportunities also occur overseas with UK and foreign companies, or with international organisations.

Look for job vacancies at:

• CWJobs
• The Institution of Analysts and Programmers
• IT JobBoard
• Technojobs
• LinkedIn

Start making applications to larger firms in the autumn term of your final year as competition for vacancies is keen, particularly with high-profile employers.

See the Management Consultancies Association (MCA) for a list of member consultancy firms that may be useful for speculative applications.

Professional development

Training often takes place on the job with additional support from in-house courses. These are likely to cover programming languages and the principles of systems analysis, and specific technical skills training related to the projects you are working on.

Formal training is more likely in larger companies, where you will typically gain experience in a variety of working environments and systems. In some cases, mentoring schemes are available.

You can help enhance your interactions with clients by developing interpersonal skills in areas such as communication, team leadership and presenting.

You will need to keep learning throughout your career to keep up to date with new technologies and advances in products and services. 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.

You could study for a short course or Masters at a university, for example, or undertake a practitioner qualification offered by a specialist training provider. Useful qualifications include the BCS Practitioner Certificate in Enterprise and Solutions Architecture and Prince2 project management qualifications.

With experience you could apply for professional registration as a Chartered IT Professional (CITP).

Career prospects

Your immediate prospects depend on the size and type of the organisation you work for, so movement between employers is relatively common.

Analysts often develop expertise in a particular business sector, and career progression depends on your ability to upskill in line with current trends in the sector, such as:

• analytics
• big data
• cloud technology
• data protection
• mobile apps
• security.

Your career advancement opportunities might include:

• progression to senior or lead analyst role, leading a team of analysts
• developing specific technical expertise (in a systems/technical architect role)
• project management, or sales and account management roles
• moving in a more strategic business direction, either within the company or with a consultancy firm.

The size of the organisation you work for, as well as its structure and business focus, is likely to influence the way that your career progresses.

In a large organisation, you may have more opportunity to specialise in a particular client group or to advance through the corporate structure. You may also get the chance to work in multidisciplinary teams or in overseas branches of the parent group.

In a small organisation, you might gain experience in a variety of associated functions across the business, feel closer to the front line of business activity and see the direct commercial impact of your contribution.