Business Analyst vs. UX Designer: What Are the Differences?
Learn about the two careers and review some of the similarities and differences between them.
A business analyst and a UX designer are both important roles in the business world. They both work to improve the user experience, but they do so in different ways. A business analyst looks at the data and analytics to understand how users interact with a product, while a UX designer creates the design and user experience for a product. In this article, we compare and contrast the job titles business analyst and UX designer.
What is a Business Analyst?
Business Analysts work with companies to help them improve their operations by identifying inefficiencies and areas for improvement. They collect and analyze data to understand a company’s current state and make recommendations for how they can improve their processes. Business Analysts typically have a background in business administration or management. They use their skills in data analysis, problem-solving and project management to help companies streamline their operations and improve their bottom line.
What is an UX Designer?
User experience (UX) designers work to create digital products that are both useful and enjoyable for users. They focus on the “look and feel” of a product, as well as how users interact with it. UX designers use their skills in user research, interaction design, and visual design to create products that are both useful and visually appealing. User experience designers typically work in teams with other designers, developers, and marketing professionals to create digital products such as websites, apps, and software.
Business Analyst vs. UX Designer
Here are the main differences between a business analyst and an UX designer.
Job Duties
Job duties for business analysts and UX designers differ because they focus on different parts of the product development process. Business analysts focus on the business goals that a company or individual has, then use those goals to determine what type of product would best help them achieve success. They then work with various teams within their organization to gather information about the current processes in place and how they can improve them.
UX designers use the information gathered by the business analyst to begin creating a user experience plan for the product they’re working on. They consider things like target audience, competitor products and existing customer needs when deciding which features to include in the finished product and how to arrange those features. After creating a plan, they present it to the rest of the design team and other stakeholders before beginning the actual creation process.
Job Requirements
A business analyst typically needs at least a bachelor’s degree in a business-related field, such as marketing, business administration or economics. After graduating, it’s helpful for them to gain experience in an administrator role, such as human resources, where they can gain practical experience in how companies function and solve problems that affect their business as a whole. Business analysts can also pursue a master’s degree or earn certifications to help them attract the attention of employers more easily.
UX designers also need a minimum of a bachelor’s degree, but their field of study is typically computer science, graphic design or another related area. Many UX designers start their careers as web designers or front-end developers before moving into user experience roles. Additionally, many professionals in this field pursue certifications or participate in professional development programs to stay up-to-date on the latest trends in UX design.
Work Environment
UX designers typically work in an office setting, but they may also travel to meet with clients. They often collaborate with other UX professionals and developers to create a product that meets the needs of users. Business analysts usually work in an office environment, but they may also visit clients’ locations to observe their business operations. They may also attend meetings with executives or other stakeholders to discuss project goals.
Skills
Both business analysts and UX designers use analytical skills to assess a company’s needs and determine how best to address them. They also both need to be excellent communicators in order to explain their findings and recommendations to clients, colleagues and upper management.
However, business analysts tend to focus more on the numbers side of things, using data to inform their decisions about what changes a company should make. They also need to have project management skills to lead teams through the implementation of those changes. UX designers, on the other hand, focus on the user experience, making sure that the products and services a company offers are easy and enjoyable to use. They need to have strong visual design skills to create prototypes and wireframes for new products and features.
Salary
The average salary for a business analyst is $80,401 per year, while the average salary for a UX designer is $93,664 per year. Both of these salaries can vary depending on the size of the company, the location of the job and the level of experience you have prior to pursuing either position.