Differentiation Between Business Analysis and Systems Analysis

Although there is some overlap between the work of business analysts (BA) and
systems analysts (SA), they generally differ in terms of the necessary skill set. The BA
tends to focus more on the business side, while the SA focuses more on technical
aspects. At large organizations, the BA role and SA role are often separate job titles,
while in smaller organizations they may be performed by the same person.
According to The Roles and Skill Sets of Systems vs Business Analysts (Vongsavanh &
Campbell, 2008), the main difference between the two roles is one of emphasis
business analysts are concerned with the business and how to use IT to achieve
business goals, while a systems analyst is more concerned with software development
and implementation.

Please take a look at the differentiation on the next page to help you decide which
certificate program is a better match for your particular career goals. We are contrasting
both how the job roles are different and also distinctions in how the two certificate
programs are structured.

info@pce.uw.edu

Business Analysis

Job Role

Certificate
Program
Audience

Application
Requirements

Technical
Requirements

Program
Delivery

Systems Analysis and Design

Viewed more as field within business

More emphasis on business knowledge
Liaison role between the business and
technology professionals
Requirements elicitation
Mediator, translator, interface, middleperson
Skills in analysis, communication, facilitation
Emphasis on articulating business needs

Viewed more as field within IT

More emphasis on system(s) knowledge
Liaison role between the technology and
business professionals
Requirements implementation
Designer, developer, architect, solutionsperson
Skills in analysis, design, problem solving
Emphasis on supporting business
performance

Business analysts aspiring to take CBAP

certification
Other business professionals with analysis
duties
Project managers seeking to dig into
substance, not just scheduling
System analysts wishing to become more
enterprise focused

Experience with at least three of the following:

1. Analytical skills
2. Experience with organizational concepts
3. Basic computing skills
4. Experience or intrigue with the
opportunities in this line of work
5. A bachelors or associates degree;
additional experience may substitute

1. Two years of organization/business work

experience, or a Bachelors degree in any
field
2. A willingness to think abstractly
3. Basic computing skills

Access to internet, email

Students enrolled in the certificate program
receive a license for Microsoft Visio for the
duration of the program.

Students are expected to have access to a PC

for online sessions and working offline
outside of class with the ability and
privileges to install software.
Access to internet, email
Students enrolled in the certificate program
receive a license for Microsoft Project and
Visio for the duration of the program.

Classroom

This program will be primarily online, but with

classroom meetings at the beginning and end
of classes making it possible for individuals
outside of Puget Sound to participate.

IT analysts
Project managers
Database developers
Individuals seeking to expand their IT skills
and become well rounded generalists in
system analysis
Business analysts wishing to become more
technically focused