Top 5 Insights From the Global State of Business Analysis Report: Part 3
Last year, we altered the format of the IIBA Global State of Business Analysis Report. Split into three distinct parts, the 2024 report explores key areas of the business analysis profession in a bite-sized, digestible way. It allows IIBA members to stay informed, adapt to market shifts, and refine their skills to champion better business outcomes.
Part 1 of the report was released at the start of the year. If you’d prefer the short version, we also summarized its top five insights last January. Part 2, meanwhile, explored certification, career satisfaction, job changes, career fulfillment, agile analysis, product ownership analysis, business data analytics, AI, and more. Here’s a summary of that report.
Released in December exclusively to members, Part 3 explores the role of business analysis in organizations along with responsibilities, skills, techniques, and more.
Each year, IIBA surveys the global business analysis community on the nature of their work. The ensuing report tracks demographic and business analysis practice maturity. This year, we collected responses from more than 4,400 professionals, representing 165 countries.
Now that Part 3 of the report is out, let’s look at five of its most eye-catching findings.
1. Quality Impacts Outcomes
Among the survey respondents, 84% said the quality of business analysis work directly impacts project and product outcomes in their organizations. It’s probably no surprise then that there was a gradual increase in the importance of implementation and strategic alignment.
In terms of business analysis roles, developing and implementing solutions rose from 13% to 14%, while addressing strategic change necessary for competitiveness increased from 8% to 9%. These shifts suggest a growing emphasis on applying solutions and addressing strategic business needs.
But in addition to better outcomes, there’s a feeling that better business analysis can also reduce risks. Among respondents, 77% believe that increasing investment in business analysis within their organizations would reduce project risks.
There’s an appetite for increased focus on business analysis because of its criticality to better business outcomes.
2. Analysts Are Feeling the Love
Everyone wants to feel that their work is appreciated and meaningful. That’s why we’re pleased to report that 66% of respondents feel valued as business analysis professionals.While the report lists some of the barriers they face, including limited people resources (per 10% of respondents), a lack of understanding of the role (14%), and unrealistic expectations (13%), on the whole, they’re seeing big gains across the board.
For example, 74% of respondents saw a greater influence of business analysis in strategic decision-making, while 61% reported that their organization incorporates business analysis standards effectively. A further 56% said business analysis has become more critical in their organizations.
These numbers, specifically those tied to the profession’s growing influence, reveal a connection between more mature business analysis and more fulfilled business analysis professionals.
3. Where’s the Talent?
As the importance of business analysis in driving success becomes increasingly recognized, demand for skilled professionals is projected to rise by 11% by 2033. Complicating things further, many industries are experiencing challenges in finding top-quality candidates–a fact that’s reflected in the survey data.Respondents consistently reported that finding top business analysis talent for a range of different roles and employee profiles was difficult. Most notably, 36% and 34% said finding business analysis professionals competent in advanced tasks and basic tasks (respectively) was challenging.
This matches a perceived lack of candidates on the whole, with 64% of respondents reporting a shortage of business analysis professionals in their region. Conversely, only 6% reported an abundance. Among the industries experiencing the biggest dearth of business analysis professionals were training/education, retail/hospitality, and manufacturing.
To meet the rising demand for skilled business analysis professionals, more opportunities for upskilling are crucial.
4. Business Analysis Needs More Support
There's considerable room for growth when it comes to strong backing for business analysis professionals within their organizations. The latest IIBA Benchmark Report, which states that “organizational effectiveness hinges on investment in professional development,” lists the top three such activities among the 39 program partners it surveyed, in order of importance:- Online community and communications tools
- Regularly scheduled workshops, team training meetings, and internal coaching
- Formal training and education from an external provider
Among the partners who invest in resources and tools to enhance business analysis effectiveness, 95% reported improvements in other key areas. Yet in the far broader sample of business analysis professionals in Part 3, 61% of respondents said their organization lacks business analysis coaches, mentors, or colleagues to support skill development.
In other words, the second-most popular form of professional development for those investing in business analysis is notably absent from most organizations.
Moreover, barriers such as lack of training and management support remained steady at 8% each, showing minimal improvement compared to last year. Together with the Benchmark Report findings, these statistics highlight the need for internal support of business analysis professionals’ growth.
5. The Roles They Are a-Changin’
It’s a good thing 70% of respondents said their organization allows time for professional development because they added some serious skills to their repertoire this year.
While the most popular (communication, problem-solving, listening, critical thinking, stakeholder engagement, adaptability, and relationship-building) remained at the top, emotional intelligence and change management are increasingly popular in the modern toolkit.
More practitioners are keen to master the subtle art of understanding and managing emotions in professional interactions. While they’re at it, they’re also learning how to manage transitions in dynamic business environments.
And, in terms of responsibilities, this year’s data reveal a stronger focus on specific processes and activities, such as requirements management (6%), solution evaluation (5%), and business strategy development (4%). These are part of a broader trend toward more specific business analysis functions, contrasting last year’s dominant categories of business analysis (21%) and process development (10%).
Until Next Year
IIBA’s Global State of Business Analysis Report is about you, the practising business analysis professional. It provides a broad view of topical information, insights, demographics, and trends that influence business analysis globally.Each data point serves as a thread, contributing to the rich narrative of the profession. Use them to inform and challenge your thinking on a wide range of business analysis topics—and hopefully inspire you to achieve more.
The full report findings of IIBA’s Global Research are available exclusively through IIBA membership. Members can access essential tools and resources, including A Guide to the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge (BABOK Guide), Agile Extension to the BABOK Guide, IIBA’s KnowledgeHub, whitepapers, educational webinars, and more.
This is just a snapshot of the data we report on in Part 3 of the 2023 Global State of Business Analysis Report. If you’re a member, you can read the full report. Not a member? Explore the summary online edition or join IIBA today to access the full report.
About the Author

Tiffani Iacolino is a Senior Manager, Product Marketing at IIBA and has over 15 years of marketing experience across the legal, technology, telecommunications, publishing, media, and professional services industries. She’s passionate about delivering meaningful products and solutions to the business analysis community. Hailing from the Greater Toronto Area, she enjoys an amazing cup of coffee, running, and yoga—between chasing her two adorable children!