A Database Analyst is a professional who plays a crucial role in managing and analyzing data within an organization. They are responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining databases, as well as extracting valuable insights from data to support business decision-making. In this blog post, we will explore the primary responsibilities and the most in-demand hard and soft skills for Database Analysts.

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Main Responsibilities of a Database Analyst

The following list describes the typical responsibilities of a Database Analyst:

Accomplish

Accomplish organization goals by accepting ownership for accomplishing new and different requests.

Advise

Advise programmers, analysts, and users about the efficient use of data.

Analyze

Analyze, research and investigate client queries.

Apply

Apply necessary corrections and maintenance on the database.

Assist with

• Assist applications development staff with Oracle file / table definitions and data views.

• Assist staff in understanding the differences and how to apply when creating reports.

• Assist with role-based access control and token-based authentication setup.

• Assist with the design and implement in consultation with senior Applications Development Architects.

Attend

Attend project meetings and provide status reports as required.

Automate

Automate data-related processes and tasks using scripting or programming languages.

Bridge

Bridge prescriber level details to a specific header available in the IQVIA reference database.

Build

• Build productive internal / external working relationships.

• Build strong working relationships with team members and client stakeholders.

Carry out

Carry out quality assurance (QA) testing and user acceptance testing (UAT) if required.

Check

• Check out our video above for tips and advice!.

• Check out our video for tips and advice!.

Clean

Clean, merge, restructure, transform, and synthesize large data sets with accuracy.

Collaborate with

• Collaborate with cluster partner ministries to co-design, deliver and support digital solutions.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define data requirements for new projects.

• Collaborate with IT teams to ensure data backup and disaster recovery procedures.

• Collaborate with multiple cross-functional government areas of systems technology in mainframes.

• Collaborate with software developers and analysts to integrate databases with applications.

• Collaborate with stakeholders to gather data requirements and understand business objectives.

Collect

• Collect and document user's requirements.

• Collect and report performance data for use by senior management for capacity and planning reports.

• Collect, document and analyze user documents to meet business requirements.

• Collect metrics to analyze performance, and identify trends and improvement opportunities.

Communicate

• Communicate and work within a team to accomplish common goals.

• Communicate openly, respectfully, and timely.

• Communicate results and ideas to key decision makers.

• Communicate with client service analysts to provide updates and resolutions for the client.

Conduct

• Conduct data analysis and present findings to stakeholders.

• Conduct database capacity planning and forecasting.

• Conduct data quality assessments and implement data cleansing techniques.

• Conduct performance testing and optimization for database applications.

Confer with

Confer with colleagues on compatibility issues and upgrades.

Construct

Construct data decomposition diagrams.

Consult

• Consult on data versioning techniques.

• Consult on regional member needs to the entire enterprise.

• Consult with internal teams to resolve and recommend corrections / changes to data / processes.

Contribute to

• Contribute to completion of project milestones and organize own work to meet project task deadlines.

• Contribute to process improvement and additional project that may arise.

Correct

Correct any problems encountered during testing.

Create

• Create and maintain a data dictionary for all data sources.

• Create and maintain an inventory of all data sources in use.

• Create and optimize database schemas, tables, and views.

• Create any data transformations and logging for data extracts from the existing data warehouse.

• Create any necessary HCQC data related policies and procedures.

• Create complex SQL queries to generate reports according to the research study requirements.

• Create custom client facing reports.

• Create custom data sets for use by analysts within your team.

• Create dashboards, reports, etc. based on data that is available.

• Create data feeds and integration with a separate application under construction.

• Create roster of outlets to be coded to the database.

• Create roster of prescribers to be coded to the database.

• Create several base templates of mixed data source PBI files.

• Create standard operating procedures, process specifications, and trainings.

Define

• Define data and database conversion specifications and strategy.

• Define new database structures.

Design

• Design and develop database structures based on business requirements.

• Design data / table structure on a staging environment.

Determine

Determine if issues exist and recommend correction / improvement to the data.

Develop

• Develop and implement data administration policy, standards and models.

• Develop and implement database security measures to safeguard sensitive information.

• Develop and implement data governance policies and procedures.

• Develop and maintain database documentation, including data dictionaries and technical specifications.

• Develop and / or maintain new / existing SAS code to support ETL processes for IDR.

• Develop and update computer tools to assist with specific tasks.

• Develop an understanding of the knowledge needed to maintain reference files.

• Develop applications that provide information to internal departments.

• Develop databases and table to support extracts and data imports.

• Develop expertise in one or more technologies.

• Develop, implement, and use tools for managing and analyzing financial portfolios.

• Develop MIS reports and queries on demand from staging and / or presentation servers.

• Develop plan for migration of current MS Access data to the new system.

• Develop policies and procedures for network access and usage and for the backup and recovery of data.

• Develop production schedules for use by production personnel.

Devise

Devise and / or improve processes to monitor data and ensure its accuracy and integrity.

Draft

Draft database management policies and standards.

Draw

Draw recommendations from insights for business-facing customer profiles.

Empower

Empower healthcare decisions regarding the safe and appropriate use of medicines for patients.

Ensure

• Ensure accuracy & validity of IQVIA's customer outlet reference database.

• Ensure all database work is executed in the DFO environment on DFO DB Servers.

• Ensure compliance with data protection and privacy regulations.

• Ensure data integrity and security by implementing appropriate access controls.

• Ensure quality of work in processing queries is maintained and improved.

• Ensure that all database changes are reflected in scripts, no exceptions.

• Ensure that all database design adheres to DFO standards for design and naming conventions.

• Ensure that appropriate staff can run reports.

• Ensure that documentation is properly initiated, authorized and maintained.

• Ensure that the database backup and recovery procedures are dependable and efficient.

• Ensure that the Oracle databases are performing at required levels.

• Ensure the DRP is updated on a regular basis and annual testing performed.

Evaluate

Evaluate and recommend database tools and technologies for enhanced functionality.

Exercise

Exercise judgment within defined procedures and practices to determine appropriate action.

Explain

Explain analyses / recommendations.

Extract

Extract relevant data from various sources and data enters information into database.

Facilitate

• Facilitate brainstorming, focus groups and walkthroughs around data mapping / cleanup.

• Facilitate knowledge transfer to DFO staff as required.

Follow

Follow quality processes thoroughly.

Gather

Gather information on reporting needs and develop the reports as well as the dashboard repositories.

Generate

• Generate and recommend results including alternative approaches to meet business sponsor's needs.

• Generate outlet activity report which will be used for checking the accuracy of coding done.

• Generate prescriber activity report which will be used for checking the accuracy of coding done.

Help

• Help collect and prioritize the needs of the commercial lines sector.

• Help develop and update data environments, dashboards and other tools for data use and consumption.

• Help devise, develop, test, maintain, and implement disaster recovery and archive procedures.

• Help train report creator staff in all aspects of PBI's implementation.

• Help validate and document data environments, reports and tools, as well as information governance.

Identify

• Identify data trends and patterns to support data-driven decision-making.

• Identify operational risks and issues and develop contingency plans.

• Identify recurring issues on resolving incidents / alerts.

Implement

• Implement and follow processes and procedures relative to change control.

• Implement and maintain data backup and recovery strategies.

Import

Import and export data to and from different systems or sources.

Innovate

Innovate new ways to standardize existing data processes and optimize current workflows.

Install

Install and maintain related database software and hardware systems.

Interpret

Interpret inspection findings and determines corrective actions.

Interview

Interview diverse clients about program operations, decision-making processes, goals and objectives.

Investigate

• Investigate and resolve data quality, data loading failures.

• Investigate errors and assist in problem diagnosis and solution development.

Keep

• Keep others well informed.

• Keep up to date with latest technology trends.

Lead

• Lead technology troubleshooting activities to resolve complex issues affecting critical business.

• Lead the installation, upgrade and performance tuning of database management systems.

• Lead the recovery and restoration of data and services following systems failures and interruptions.

Leverage

Leverage ETL tools to automate the flow of data of various data elements within the Buxton ecosystem.

Log

Log quality related issues and clarify directly with other involved parties.

Maintain

• Maintain data flow between financial systems, ensure system integrity and data reconciliation.

• Maintain data security by setting permissions and enforcing access controls.

• Maintain timely and accurate helpdesk records using the ticket management system.

Make

• Make recommendations to address specific business needs for information technology-based solutions.

• Make the most of your expertise in data management techniques and technologies.

Manage

• Manage after hours monitoring and escalations.

• Manage both the design of tests and the readout and communication of their performance.

• Manage client relationships issues, notifications, and follow-up until resolution.

• Manage Database Security across the enterprise.

• Manage database user accounts and permissions.

• Manage delivery timelines and quality of output.

• Manage personnel information database.

• Manage SQL Server and Oracle database server migrations and upgrades.

• Manage user / system access to reporting and warehouse environment.

Monitor

• Monitor and optimize database performance to ensure optimal query execution.

• Monitor and track all internal and external change requests (CR).

Navigate

Navigate the job application process step by step.

Operate

Operate database management systems to analyze data.

Oversee

Oversee the operations change and release management processes.

Participate in

• Participate in database-related project planning and execution.

• Participate in the testing phases by taking ownership of the Counterparty mappings.

Perform

• Perform code reviews and ability to identify performance issues with SQL query and stored procedure.

• Perform database tuning and optimization for improved performance.

• Perform data modeling and normalization to eliminate redundancy and improve efficiency.

• Perform past production checking tasks.

• Perform periodic maintenance on assigned databases.

• Perform QA procedures and checks to ensure the quality of the data.

• Perform routine problem analysis and resolution design for systems and applications.

• Perform source system data analysis to understand data relationships.

• Perform testing, communication, quality assurance and troubleshooting for new and existing systems.

Plan

• Plan and execute upgrades of existing production databases.

• Plan short-term and long-term cash flows and assess project financial performance.

Prepare

• Prepare communications and makes presentations on enhancements and / or alternatives.

• Prepare systems documentation, manuals, business cases, and project reports.

Present

Present findings and recommendations to senior management.

Produce

Produce plans for Database software upgrades.

Profile

Profile, laboratory and provider tables as assigned by the Customer.

Propose

Propose policy for relational database table design.

Protect

Protect organization's value by preserving the confidentiality of information.

Provide

• Provide administrative support to your colleagues as required.

• Provide advice and guidance on new Advanced Analytics developments, technologies, and opportunities.

• Provide data flow diagrams and documents the process.

• Provide efficient responses for server cluster failures at any time of day, night, or weekend.

• Provide feedback to the teams involved whenever there's a production issue.

• Provide service desk and technical support to users.

• Provide statistical methodology support in the delivery of good data.

• Provide support for warehouse production process (IDR).

• Provide technical support and assistance to database users.

• Provide the schema in format viewable by staff.

• Provide training and consultation to staff on the use of PBI, as needed.

• Provide tuning, troubleshooting, automation where required.

Receive

Receive final member marketing pieces to deliver to the HP and to post on needed sites.

Recognize

Recognize and solve any limitations.

Remain

Remain current and knowledgeable on industry-leading analytics practices.

Research

• Research and activate an outlet customer header with existing bridged customer number.

• Research and activate prescribers.

• Research and develop statistical learning models for data analysis.

• Research new features and functionality.

• Research reference information in agreed sources.

Respond to

• Respond in a timely manner to messages / requests.

• Respond to one-off needs for data / analytics.

• Respond to questions and concerns with supporting research and recommendations.

Review

• Review current database Exadata architecture.

• Review, evaluate, design, and implement new and existing database systems.

• Review, evaluates, designs, implements and maintain company database[s].

• Review migration strategy / plan.

Run

Run complex code and queries that normalize, link and clean our client's data.

Secure

Secure systems to prevent both data loss and unauthorized access.

Stay updated with

Stay updated with emerging database technologies and trends.

Supervised

Supervised, Inspected, certified, and approved maintenance actions, repairs.

Support

• Support activities that Outline data flows and other standard operating procedures.

• Support CRM / IT in the reconciliation of data from a variety of sources.

• Support the backup and upgrade processes.

• Support the creation of operational impact assessments for proposed scope changes and risks.

• Support the ETL process of miscellaneous data marts and operational data stores.

Track

• Track and facilitate detailed status reporting and issue resolution.

• Track mortgage status via client tracking software.

Train

• Train and educate users on database functionalities and best practices.

• Train users in use of automated systems.

Troubleshoot

Troubleshoot and resolve database issues or errors.

Understand

Understand the client's existing data warehouse design and processes.

Update

• Update and checks outlet reference information.

• Update and checks prescriber reference information.

• Update and run complex in-depth analyses that address difficult business questions.

• Update job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities.

Verify

Verify coding & run appropriate IQVIA reports.

Work with

Work with several support teams to complete research and analysis.

Write

• Write codes for database access, modifications, and constructions including stored procedures.

• Write complex SQL queries to retrieve and manipulate data.

• Write scripts related to stored procedures and triggers.

• Write test plans and acceptance criteria.

Most In-demand Hard Skills

The following list describes the most required technical skills of a Database Analyst:

1. Proficiency in SQL (Structured Query Language).

2. Database management systems (e.g., Oracle, MySQL, Microsoft SQL Server).

3. Data modeling and normalization techniques.

4. Database design and development.

5. Data warehousing and ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) processes.

6. Query optimization and performance tuning.

7. Database security and access controls.

8. Data backup and recovery strategies.

9. Data cleansing and quality assessment.

10. Database administration and maintenance.

11. Scripting or programming languages (e.g., Python, Java).

12. Data integration and migration.

13. Data visualization and reporting tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI).

14. Data governance and compliance.

15. Relational database concepts.

16. Cloud database platforms (e.g., AWS RDS, Azure SQL Database).

17. NoSQL databases (e.g., MongoDB, Cassandra).

18. Data analysis and data mining techniques.

19. Data encryption and data masking.

20. Data replication and synchronization.

Most In-demand Soft Skills

The following list describes the most required soft skills of a Database Analyst:

1. Analytical thinking and problem-solving.

2. Attention to detail and accuracy.

3. Strong organizational and time management skills.

4. Effective communication and collaboration.

5. Adaptability and flexibility.

6. Critical thinking and decision-making.

7. Continuous learning and curiosity.

8. Teamwork and interpersonal skills.

9. Documentation and report writing.

10. Customer service orientation.

Conclusion

A successful Database Analyst possesses a combination of technical expertise, including SQL proficiency, database management systems knowledge, and data modeling skills. They also exhibit essential soft skills such as analytical thinking, attention to detail, effective communication, and adaptability. By understanding and fulfilling their responsibilities and acquiring the required skills, Database Analysts contribute significantly to effective data management and decision-making within organizations.