ICT Business Analysts
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
ICT Business Analysts identify and communicate with users to formulate and produce requirements specifications to create system and software solutions.
Specialisations: Business Systems Analyst.
A bachelor or postgraduate degree in a relevant information technology field (such as business analysis, business information systems or computer science) is usually needed to work as an ICT Business Analyst. Some workers have Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualifications. There are also a wide range of vendor and industry certifications available that may substitute for formal qualifications.
Tasks
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Identifies, investigates, and analyses business processes, procedures and work practices.
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Identifies and evaluates inefficiencies and recommends optimal business practices, and system functionality and behaviour.
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Uses project management methodologies, principles and techniques to develop project plans and to cost, resource and manage projects.
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Takes responsibility for deploying functional solutions, such as creating, adopting and implementing system test plans, which ensures acceptable quality and integrity of the system.
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Creates user and trainer documentation, and conducts formal training classes.
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Develops functional specifications for use by system developers.
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Uses data and process modelling techniques to create clear system specifications for the design and development of system software.
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Acts as a central reference and information source, providing guidance and assistance in the system project decision making process.
Characteristics
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University
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Vocational Education and Training (VET)
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Informal or on-the-job
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Practical
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Analytical
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Administrative
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Sedentary
Outlook
JSA produces employment projections to show where likely future job opportunities may be. Employment projections data are only produced for occupations at the broad four digit Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) level. While data are not available for this occupation, projections data are available for the parent occupation, ICT Business and Systems Analysts, under the outlook section.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
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Around 90% of people employed as ICT Business Analysts work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 24 percentage points above the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 42 hours per week in their main job. This is similar to the all jobs average (44 hours per week).
Sources:Full-time share and full-time hours: ABS, 2016 Census, customised report. Compared to the all jobs average.
Industries
Main industries
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ICT Business Analysts work in industries like:
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Financial and insurance services
- Public administration and safety
- Information media and telecommunications.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report.
Regions
Employment across Australia
NSW
VIC
QLD
SA
WA
TAS
NT
ACT
Employment by State and Territory (% Share)
State | ICT Business Analysts | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 36.0 | 31.6 |
VIC | 34.6 | 25.6 |
QLD | 13.1 | 20.0 |
SA | 3.6 | 7.0 |
WA | 6.0 | 10.8 |
TAS | 0.6 | 2.0 |
NT | 0.2 | 1.0 |
ACT | 5.9 | 1.9 |
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Around 89% of ICT Business Analysts live in capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 62%.
Victoria, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory have a large share of employment relative to their population size.
The regions with the largest share of workers are:
- Melbourne - Inner
- Australian Capital Territory
- Sydney - North Sydney and Hornsby
- Melbourne - West
- Sydney - Parramatta.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Share of workers across Australian states, territories and regions, in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Worker profile
Age and gender
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The median age of ICT Business Analysts is 40 years. This is the same as the all jobs average.
A large share of workers are aged 35 to 44 years.
Females make up 31% of the workforce. This is 17 percentage points below the all jobs average of 48%.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile and gender share compared to the all jobs average.
Age Profile (% Share)
Age Bracket | ICT Business Analysts | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 0.1 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 2.1 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 26.0 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 37.2 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 24.0 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 6.7 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 2.6 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 1.1 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 40 | 40 |
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Employment Pathways
Education, training and experience
A bachelor or postgraduate degree in a relevant information technology field (such as business analysis, business information systems or computer science) is usually needed to work as an ICT Business Analyst. Some workers have Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualifications. There are also a wide range of vendor and industry certifications available that may substitute for formal qualifications.
Visit
- Course Seeker to search and compare higher education courses.
- ComparED to compare undergraduate and postgraduate student experiences and outcomes.
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore Information and Communications Technology VET training pathways.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | ICT Business Analysts | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 27.9 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 48.5 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 8.8 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 3.2 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 9.7 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 0.8 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 1.1 | 12.5 |
Source: ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Highest qualification completed by workers in this job (in any field of study). Qualifications needed by new workers might be different from the qualifications of workers already in the job.
Skills and Knowledge
Employers look for ICT Business and Systems Analysts who can communicate clearly, work well in a team and have strong interpersonal skills.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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64%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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64%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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63%
Quality control analysisDoing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
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61%
ProgrammingWriting computer programs.
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61%
Systems evaluationMeasuring how well a system is working and how to improve it.
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61%
TroubleshootingFiguring out why a machine or system went wrong and working out what to do about it.
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59%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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59%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
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59%
Systems analysisFiguring out how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect it.
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57%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
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57%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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57%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
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55%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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55%
MathematicsUsing maths to solve problems.
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55%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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54%
Technology designDesigning and improving equipment and technology.
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52%
Operations analysisUnderstanding needs and product requirements to create a design.
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52%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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52%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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46%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
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83%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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65%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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63%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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58%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
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56%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
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52%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
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51%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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48%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
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41%
Technical designDesign techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
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36%
Communications and mediaMedia production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
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35%
TelecommunicationsTransmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
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33%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
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31%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
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28%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
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26%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
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24%
Economics and accountingEconomics and accounting, the financial markets, banking and checking and reporting of financial data.
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22%
PhysicsThe physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.
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20%
PsychologyHuman behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
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20%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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19%
Sales and marketingShowing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
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66%
Written comprehensionRead and understand written information.
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64%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
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64%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
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64%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
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61%
Inductive reasoningUse lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
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59%
BrainstormingCome up with a number of ideas about a topic, even if the ideas aren't very good.
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59%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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59%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
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59%
Written expressionWrite in a way that people can understand.
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55%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
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55%
OriginalityCome up with unusual or clever ideas, or creative ways to solve a problem.
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54%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
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54%
Working with numbersAdd, subtract, multiply, or divide.
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54%
Flexibility of closureSee a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) hidden in other distracting material.
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54%
MathematicsChoose the right maths method or formula to solve a problem.
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48%
Speech claritySpeak clearly so others can understand you.
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48%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
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48%
Selective attentionPay attention to something without being distracted.
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46%
Perceptual speedUse your eyes to quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.
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43%
Finger dexterityPut together small parts with your fingers.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
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85%
Working with computersUsing computers to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
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77%
Collecting and organising informationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.
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76%
Thinking creativelyUsing your own ideas for developing, designing, or creating something new.
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76%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
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73%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
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72%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
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72%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
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72%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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69%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
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65%
Scheduling work and activitiesWorking out the timing of events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
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63%
Documenting or recording informationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
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63%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
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61%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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60%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
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58%
Coordinating the work of a teamGetting members of a group to work together to finish a task.
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54%
Making sense of information and ideasLooking at, working with, and understanding data or information.
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53%
Communicating with the publicGiving information to the public, business or government by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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50%
Training and teaching othersUnderstanding the needs of others, developing training programs, and teaching or instructing.
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50%
Coming up with systems and processesDeciding on goals and figuring out what you need to do to achieve them.
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45%
Explaining things to peopleHelping people to understand and use information.
Interests and demands
Learn about the daily activities, and physical and social demands faced by workers. Explore the values and work styles that workers rate as most important.
Interests
Interests are the style or type of work we prefer to do. All interest areas are shown below.
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90%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
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90%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
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62%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
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48%
EnterprisingStarting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
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29%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
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24%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
Values
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74%
Working conditionsJob security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.
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71%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
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71%
IndependenceWork alone and make decisions. Workers are able to try out their own ideas, make decisions on their own, and work with little or no supervision.
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71%
RecognitionAdvancement and the potential to lead. Workers are recognised for the work that they do, they may give directions and instructions to others, and they are looked up to in their company and their community.
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62%
SupportSupportive management that stands behind employees. Workers are treated fairly by their company, they are supported by management, and have supervisors who train them well.
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52%
RelationshipsServe and work with others. Workers usually get along well with each other, do things to help other people, and are rarely pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.
Demands
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100%
Electronic mailUse electronic mail.
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94%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
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92%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
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90%
TelephoneTalk on the telephone.
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88%
Spend time sittingSpend time sitting at work.
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87%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
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86%
Indoors, heat controlledWork indoors with access to heating or cooling.
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82%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
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82%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
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80%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
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78%
Lead or coordinate a teamLead others to do work activities.
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78%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
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77%
Repeating same tasksRepeat the same tasks or activities (e.g., key entry) over and over, without stopping.
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74%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
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70%
CompetitionCompete with others, or be aware of competitive pressures.
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69%
Letters and memosWrite letters and memos.
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68%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
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68%
Making repetitive motionsSpend time making repetitive motions.
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66%
Physically close to peopleWork physically close to other people.
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65%
Using your hands to handle, control, or feelSpend time using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls.
O*NET is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
The skills and importance ratings on this page are derived from the US Department of Labor O*NET Database Version 21.2, 15-1121.00 - Computer Systems Analysts.
Links and downloads
Research and reports
The Skills Priority List provides a current labour market rating and a future demand rating for nearly 800 occupations nationally. Current labour market ratings are available for occupations at a state and territory level.
Downloads
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Occupation profiles data are available for download.
The Employment Projections are available for download.