The pathway
How you actually get there, here
How you become one varies far more by country than what one does. This is the UK route. Most people take one of these ways in; the right one depends on where you're starting from.
- 1
Junior Data Visualisation Analyst / Associate
1-2 yearsSkills to master
- Mastering core BI tool functionalities (Tableau/Power BI), writing basic SQL queries, understanding data cleaning basics, and following established design guidelines.
You're ready to move on when
- Consistently delivering accurate reports under supervision.
- Proactively asking clarifying questions to understand requirements.
- Successfully completing assigned tasks with minimal errors.
- Demonstrating a strong eagerness to learn and take on more complex work.
- 2
Data Analyst (with a visualisation focus)
2-3 yearsSkills to master
- Strong analytical skills, ability to translate business questions into data problems, proficiency in SQL and Excel, and a growing portfolio of visualisations.
You're ready to move on when
- Independently performing end-to-end data analysis projects.
- Presenting findings to stakeholders clearly and concisely.
- Identifying opportunities for improved reporting or new dashboards.
- Taking initiative to learn advanced visualisation techniques.
- 3
Business Analyst (with technical skills)
2-4 yearsSkills to master
- Excellent requirements gathering, understanding of business processes, some technical skills in SQL or a BI tool, and a knack for translating business needs into technical specifications.
You're ready to move on when
- Successfully bridging the gap between business and technical teams.
- Documenting detailed requirements for data-driven projects.
- Demonstrating a clear understanding of how data impacts business outcomes.
- Proposing data-driven solutions to business problems.