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When traditional BI falls short: Why the data analyst is the new MVP

Benny AndrénSeptember 6, 2024

The difference between a BI-developer and a data analyst

I have spent my last 15 years leading across various sectors, from retail to product management, and am now the co-founder and CEO of Data Dao. I’m passionate about revolutionizing data usage, and innovation with a focus on democratizing data. Launched in October 2023, Data Dao’s vision is to make data easy to trust and understand, so everyone can make choices with confidence.

In today’s data-driven world, the roles within analytics and business intelligence are rapidly evolving. If you’re a professional working in BI, building dashboards, or delivering reports, you may have noticed a shift in how your work is valued or worse, started doubting your own impact, then this article is for you.

So why should you read this? Because if you’re still spending your time building reports without challenging the underlying assumptions, you might be on the path to irrelevance. This article will challenge you to rethink your role, push beyond traditional BI tasks, and evolve into a data analyst who shapes the future of business decisions.

In the following discussion, I’ll argue that:

the traditional role of a BI developer, which focuses on reactive reporting and dashboard creation, is becoming increasingly obsolete
the future belongs to a new breed of data professionals: data analysts who don’t just answer questions but proactively seek out the right ones
these analysts are not just skilled with data — they’re communicators, storytellers, and strategic thinkers who drive real value within their organizations

The obsolescence of reactive reporting

Traditional BI developers have long focused on crafting dashboards in tools like Power BI, Tableau or Looker. Tools that, while powerful, are often limited by the reactive nature of the work. You wait for the questions to come, you build a report, and you deliver it. But in today’s fast-paced world, this isn’t enough. This approach is rooted in the past, addressing yesterday’s problems without identifying the opportunities of tomorrow.

Let’s be clear: building reports for stakeholders who then make decisions based on a tailored view of the data is becoming rarer by the day. Only the highest echelons of executives still afford such luxuries. For the rest of us, the need is no longer to merely report on what has happened but to actively shape what will happen next.

In today’s rapidly changing world, simply reacting is no longer enough; we must be proactive in shaping future outcomes.

With greater access to information, technology, and collective responsibility, individuals and organizations are empowered to drive change and innovate rather than just observe.

Enter the data analyst: A new breed of professionals

Photo by Austin Distel on Unsplash

What I believe is needed is a new breed of data professionals: data analysts who do more than just respond — they anticipate.

They don’t just answer questions; they challenge them.
These professionals blend technical skills with business acumen, constantly exploring data to uncover insights that weren’t even on the radar.
They don’t wait for stakeholders to ask for a new field in their dashboard; instead, they question why a field is needed in the first place, new or existing.
They don’t just build reports; they engage in exploratory data analysis, seeking out patterns, trends, and insights that can drive strategic decisions.

The Skill Set of the Modern Data Analyst

Photo by Maxim Berg on Unsplash

So, what makes a data analyst different from a BI developer?

Curiosity: While BI developers often focus on delivering what’s asked of them, data analysts dig deeper. They ask why certain metrics matter, what the underlying data trends are, and how those trends can influence future decisions.
Proactivity: Instead of waiting for requests, data analysts identify potential issues and opportunities before they become apparent to others. They don’t just provide answers; they also frame the right questions.
Strong Communication and Storytelling: A modern data analyst doesn’t just hand over reports, they tell stories with data. They translate complex data into actionable insights and present them in a way that resonates with stakeholders. This requires strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
Business Acumen: Understanding the business context is crucial. A data analyst doesn’t just know how to analyze data; they know why it matters. They bridge the gap between data and strategy, ensuring that insights are aligned with business goals.

It’s time to challenge the status quo

If you’re spending your days building dashboards and tweaking reports, it’s time to pause and reflect. Are you truly adding value to your organization, or are you just fulfilling requests without questioning their impact?

When was the last time you challenged a stakeholder’s request? When did you last propose a new way of looking at the data, instead of just delivering what was asked? If you can’t remember, it might be time to reassess your approach.

The future of BI is coming

In the coming years, the role of the traditional BI developer will continue to diminish. The future belongs to those who can not only manipulate data but also understand and influence the decisions made from it.

This is not just a shift in tools or technologies — it’s a fundamental change in how we approach data.

Photo by Fuu J on Unsplash

So, if you find yourself stuck in the cycle of reactive reporting, it’s time to break free. Embrace the role of the data analyst. Be the person who not only answers questions but also asks them.