What is a BI consultant?
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Jul 8, 2024
In recent years, companies are increasingly digitalizing and have a growing need for data to rely on in order to enable decision-makers to make the right decisions (whether operational and/or strategic).
It is, therefore, to support this need for data analysis that new trends such as Business Intelligence have emerged, along with, naturally, new professions.
Today, companies are looking for experts capable of mastering the workings of BI. Data analysis has become a key issue since it allows companies to improve their results and potentially reach set objectives. This is where the role of BI consultant (or business intelligence consultant) comes in.
If you want to learn more about this highly sought-after profession by large companies, it’s here!
In this article, Qotid explains the necessary training to become a BI consultant, the skills required for this position, and the benefits for a company of having a business intelligence consultant on its team.
The role of a business intelligence consultant (or decision-making consultant)
After a brief description of the role of a business intelligence consultant, it would be interesting to revisit in more detail the very definition of this profession. So, what is a BI consultant?
The main role of the business intelligence consultant is to optimize both the collection and analysis of data using various tools, particularly reporting, to facilitate decision-making and improve the management of the company's business processes.
Although this position is mostly coveted by large companies that manage large volumes of data, the role of BI consultant is increasingly of interest to SMEs. (SMEs that generate at least 7.5 million euros in revenue and have a minimum of 50 employees).
What are the missions of a business intelligence consultant?
The missions of a BI consultant can be summarized in three points:
Extraction: The first step of a business intelligence consultant involves extracting data. To make this process or data extraction faster, the BI consultant must be able to locate its sources. It is common for them to work in teams within large organizations to gain efficiency.
Analysis: After this extraction, the decision-making consultant will need to analyze this data to present it to their client or the decision-making team. It can sometimes happen that they need to enrich these existing data models. To meet deadlines and perform more complex tasks, the BI consultant may sometimes need to collaborate with other experts in the field.
Synthesis: Once the data is extracted and analyzed, it is time to present it. The business intelligence consultant will create a coherent and logical presentation of this information. These reports are essential for companies as they provide a basis for their decision-making.
Other tasks are also assigned to the BI consultant, such as supporting and training staff in decision-making intelligence. They may also intervene to advise a client on a specific task.
The skills of a business intelligence consultant
The typical profile of this data expert is extremely comprehensive. The BI consultant must first and foremost be particularly autonomous in their tasks. They should be both very pedagogical to train and advise their clients and sufficiently persuasive to argue and convince. They should also be able to adapt to all types of unforeseen events. With a good sense of analysis, they need to be able to determine the company's needs in order to provide technical and efficient solutions. By analyzing the data, as well as all the resources at their disposal, they will be able to assist their clients by facilitating understanding and use of the data.
To perform their reports perfectly during presentations of their analyses, it is necessary for the BI consultant to have knowledge of accounting.
Finally, and obviously, IT tools should no longer be a secret for them (database management tools, business intelligence software, database management systems, etc.).
Salary of a business intelligence consultant
Before discussing the salary of a decision-making consultant, it would be interesting to ask what training is necessary to qualify for this position. To enter this profession, the BI consultant has several options: Master in Project Management, Master in Decision-Making IT, Master in MIAGE, or obtaining an engineering degree in computer science.
The salary of a BI consultant ranges from €32,000 to €70,000 gross per year.
The BI consultant typically starts at €40K/year as a junior consultant and can reach around €70K/year as a senior BI consultant.
The salary of a business intelligence consultant also depends on various factors. It varies according to the size and type of structure within which the decision-making consultant operates. The salary is also correlated with the consultant's background (level of expertise, previous experiences, acquired skills, and achieved results).
In summary:
Companies have a growing need for data analysis to make informed decisions, which has given rise to the trend of Business Intelligence (BI) and new professions such as the BI consultant. The main role of the BI consultant is to optimize the collection and analysis of data through various tools, particularly reporting, to facilitate decision-making and improve the management of the company's business processes. The missions of a BI consultant include extraction, analysis, and synthesis of data, as well as supporting and training staff in decision-making intelligence. The skills required for this position include autonomy, pedagogy, persuasion, adaptability, a good sense of analysis, as well as knowledge of accounting and IT tools. The salary of a BI consultant varies between €32,000 and €70,000 gross per year, depending on the size and type of structure, as well as the consultant's background.
F.A.Q :
What is Business Intelligence (BI)?
Business Intelligence (BI) is a trend that involves using tools and methods to collect, analyze, and present data to help decision-makers make informed decisions.
What is a BI consultant?
A BI consultant is an expert whose main role is to optimize the collection and analysis of data through various tools, particularly reporting, to facilitate decision-making and improve the management of the company's business processes.
What are the missions of a BI consultant?
The missions of a BI consultant include extraction, analysis, and synthesis of data, as well as supporting and training staff in decision-making intelligence.
