How to Become an Operations Research Analyst

January 19, 2022

Operations analysts are highly valued employees because their work is so critical to the organization, and because their work results in tangible outcomes such as cost savings, process improvements, and increased efficiency.
Operations analysts can expect to earn a great salary. According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for operations research analysts in 2020 was $86,200.
The job market is improving and expanding rapidly. Jobs in this field are expected to grow by 25% between 2020 and 2030, according to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics (much faster than average).

Data Analyst: Data analysts analyze and interpret data to assist businesses in making better decisions. In general, this role entails analyzing large data sets for trends and patterns.

Statistical Analyst: Statistical analysts analyze data using statistical methods to make more informed business decisions. This role entails working with large data sets and statistical analysis methods to uncover new insights.

Business Analyst: Business analysts are in charge of understanding how an organization succeeds, helping evaluate how to improve performance by looking at how the organization is run, including measuring its processes and procedures. In general, this role entails looking at the business’s current process and identifying areas for improvement or optimization.

Operations Research Analyst: Operations research analysts use mathematical reasoning to assist organizations in making better decisions. In general, this role entails creating mathematical models to understand problems better and then applying those models to determine the best course of action.

Systems Analyst: Systems analysts are in charge of designing and maintaining complex computer systems that aid an organization’s efficiency or effectiveness. This can include software programs and hardware configurations, such as a new data center layout.

Business Intelligence Analyst: Business intelligence analysts are responsible for developing and implementing strategies for gathering, managing, and analyzing corporate data to improve business performance. They may also use data visualization techniques to present this information in an easy-to-understand format for management.

Data Architect: Data architects are responsible for designing and implementing databases that store information about an industry or organization’s data assets (business process, data, objects).

Data Collection and Analysis – Collecting, processing, storing, and analyzing data to help make better business decisions. This may involve working with teams to identify how they can best use their existing resources or building out new systems that improve efficiency or effectiveness.

Data Visualization – Taking data and making it easy for others in the organization (including management) to understand why that data is important, what it represents, and how it can be used to guide business strategy. This often involves using software tools like Tableau or PowerBI, but may also require creating custom reports, charts, and presentations.

Problem Solving – Identifying and solving problems related to how an organization operates. This may include designing new systems, improving current processes, or finding ways to better optimize resource allocation.

Systems Analysis – To understand how an organization works, operations analysts often need to analyze the various computer systems in use. This may involve understanding how data is collected, processed, and used by different systems or even designing new systems that work better with the existing infrastructure.

Business Intelligence – Developing and implementing strategies for collecting, managing, and analyzing corporate data. This can include working with teams to identify which data is essential to the mission, building databases to store information about data assets, the data itself, and using reporting tools to make the stored information more easily accessible to other teams, departments, managers, etc.

Analyzing data to identify trends and patterns.
Developing strategies and plans based on analysis results.
Recommending solutions to business problems.
Managing projects and teams.
Communicating with stakeholders across the organization.
Providing support during projects and problem-solving.
Optimizing processes and procedures.

Analytical Skills – Understanding complex data sets, identifying trends, and developing recommendations are essential for any operations analyst.

Programming Skills – Operations analysts often need to write code to manage and analyze data. This may include using languages like Python and SQL to retrieve, process, and store information and writing programs that automate tasks or perform calculations on large sets of numbers.

Software Skills – Operations analysts need to be able to use various software tools, including databases, reporting software such as Tableau (or PowerBI), and data mining tools.

Business Skills – To work effectively with organizational stakeholders, operations analysts need to have strong business skills, including a sophisticated understanding of how businesses operate, along with a detailed understanding of common business-relevant financial strategies.

Problem-Solving Skills – Operations analysts must be able to handle unexpected challenges and solve problems, as one of their core missions is to investigate issues and come up with creative solutions to improve performance where there were previous problems.

Creativity – Operations analysts need to think creatively so they can come up with new solutions, like when being asked to design new systems, improve current processes, or find ways to optimize resources. This often requires a highly creative process that involves brainstorming different approaches and testing out ideas until you find one that works well for your particular situation.

Operations research
Decision analysis
Probability and statistics
Business mathematics
Database management
Modeling systems with spreadsheets, business intelligence tools, and statistical software packages
Data collection methods (e.g., surveys)
Report writing

The Fundamentals of Quantitative Analysis
Foundations of Data Analytics
Introduction to Business Intelligence
Data Mining and Visualization
Predictive Analytics
Business Analytics

IMA’s Certified Management Accountant (CMA)
PMI’s Project Management Professional (PMP)
PMI’s Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)
ISACA’s Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
IIBA’s CBAPCertified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP)

No requirements to show up at set times or in physical locations.
Monthly class starts.
Accelerated courses.

A #3 ranking for Best Online Degree in Data Analytics from Best Master Programs.
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