Technical Foundation

Business Systems Analyst (BSA) Data Role

A BSA uses data analysis skills to understand business problems, validate information, troubleshoot system issues, and help teams make better technology decisions.

SQL

Structured Query Language used to communicate with and retrieve information from relational databases.

Database

A structured system used to store, organize, manage, and retrieve data.

Relational Database

A database that stores information in related tables connected through keys.

Table

A collection of related data organized into rows and columns.

Row

A single record or entry in a database table.

Column

A field or attribute that describes a type of information stored in a table.

Record

A complete set of information about one item, usually represented by one row in a table.

Field

A single piece of information stored in a column.

Primary Key

A unique identifier for each record in a table. No two rows can have the same primary key value.

Foreign Key

A column that connects one table to another by referencing a primary key.

Database Relationship

The connection between tables that allows related information to be stored and retrieved.

One-to-Many Relationship

A database relationship where one record in one table can connect to many records in another table.

Example of One-to-Many Relationship

One customer can have many orders, but each order belongs to one customer.

Data Retrieval

The process of finding and extracting information from a database.

Data Validation

The process of checking whether data is accurate, complete, consistent, and meets business requirements.

Data Accuracy

How correct and reliable the stored information is.

SELECT Statement

SQL command used to choose and retrieve specific columns from a database table.

WHERE Clause

SQL condition used to filter records based on specific criteria.

ORDER BY

SQL command used to sort query results in ascending or descending order.

GROUP BY

SQL command used to group rows with similar values so aggregate calculations can be performed.

Aggregate Function

A SQL function that calculates information from multiple rows.

COUNT()

SQL function used to count the number of records.

SUM()

SQL function used to add numerical values together.

AVG()

SQL function used to calculate the average value.

MIN()

SQL function used to find the smallest value.

MAX()

SQL function used to find the largest value.

INNER JOIN

SQL JOIN that returns only records where matching values exist in both tables.

LEFT JOIN

SQL JOIN that returns all records from the left table and matching records from the right table.

SQL JOIN

A method used to combine data from multiple related tables.

Data Analysis

The process of examining data to find patterns, trends, problems, and insights.

Business Insight

A useful conclusion discovered from analyzing data that helps improve decisions.

Trend

A pattern or change in data over time.

KPI

Key Performance Indicator. A measurable value used to track business performance.

Excel

Data analysis tool used to organize, clean, analyze, and present business information.

Data Cleaning

The process of correcting inaccurate, incomplete, duplicated, or inconsistent data.

Removing Duplicates

The process of deleting repeated records that represent the same information.

Sorting Data

Organizing information in a specific order, such as alphabetical or highest to lowest.

Filtering Data

Displaying only records that match specific conditions.

XLOOKUP

Excel function used to find information in one table and return a related value from another column.

VLOOKUP

Older Excel lookup function used to search for a value vertically and return related information.

IF Statement

Excel function that returns different results depending on whether a condition is true or false.

Pivot Table

Excel tool used to summarize large amounts of data and identify patterns quickly.

Excel Chart

A visual representation of data used to communicate trends and insights.

Dashboard

A visual report containing important metrics, charts, and KPIs for decision-making.

Basic Business Dashboard

A collection of charts and metrics that helps stakeholders quickly understand performance.

API

Application Programming Interface that allows different software systems to communicate and exchange data.

System Integration

The connection between different applications so they can share information.

Data Migration

The process of moving data from one system, database, or format to another.

Data Mapping

The process of matching data fields between two systems during integration or migration.

Database Schema

The structure and organization of a database, including tables, columns, and relationships.

Application Database

A database that stores information needed for a software application to function.

CRUD Operations

The four basic database actions: Create, Read, Update, and Delete.

Create Operation

Adding new records to a database.

Read Operation

Retrieving information from a database.

Update Operation

Changing existing information in a database.

Delete Operation

Removing information from a database.

Data Reporting

The process of collecting and presenting data in a meaningful format.

Stakeholder Reporting

Creating reports or dashboards that help business users understand performance and make decisions.