🎯 Business Analyst Business Knowledge Guide

Comprehensive Industry-Specific Analysis for Aspiring Business Analysts

🏥 Healthcare Industry

Complex regulatory environment with patient care as the core mission

BBusiness

Business Structure & Processes:
  • Hospital departments (Emergency, Surgery, Pediatrics, ICU)
  • Outpatient clinics and diagnostic centers
  • Pharmacy operations and medication management
  • Patient admission, treatment, and discharge workflows
Core Stakeholders:
  • Physicians, nurses, and clinical staff
  • Patients and family members
  • Insurance providers and payers
  • Regulatory bodies (FDA, CMS, Joint Commission)
Unique Selling Position:
  • Quality of care and patient outcomes
  • Specialized services and cutting-edge treatments
  • Reputation and accreditations
  • Geographic accessibility and emergency response capabilities

IInformation

Key Information Types:
  • Electronic Health Records (EHR) with patient medical history
  • Lab results, imaging reports, and diagnostic data
  • Insurance claims and billing information
  • Staffing schedules and resource allocation
Data Repositories:
  • Electronic Medical Records (EMR) systems
  • Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS) for imaging
  • Laboratory Information Systems (LIS)
  • Pharmacy Management Systems

AApplication

Current Software Systems:
  • Electronic Health Records (Epic, Cerner, eClinicalWorks)
  • Hospital Information Systems (HIS) for administrative management
  • Radiology Information Systems (RIS)
  • Patient Engagement Portals
  • Billing and Revenue Cycle Management systems
Interoperability Needs:
  • HL7 and FHIR standards for data exchange
  • Integration with insurance verification systems
  • Telemedicine platforms for remote consultations

TTechnology

Infrastructure:
  • Secure data centers with redundancy and disaster recovery
  • Wireless networks for mobile clinical devices
  • Servers for 24/7 critical operations
  • Cloud infrastructure for scalability and backup
Devices & Systems:
  • Hospital bedside monitors and vital sign sensors
  • Medical imaging equipment (CT, MRI, X-ray)
  • Mobile tablets and laptops for clinical workflows
  • Internet of Things (IoT) devices for patient monitoring

SSecurity

Regulatory Compliance:
  • HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act)
  • HITECH Act for breach notification
  • State and federal privacy laws
Security Controls:
  • End-to-end encryption for patient data transmission
  • Role-based access control (RBAC) for clinical staff
  • Multi-factor authentication for system access
  • Audit logs for PHI (Protected Health Information) access
  • Data de-identification for research purposes

💰 Finance & Banking Industry

Highly regulated sector focused on trust, compliance, and risk management

BBusiness

Business Structure & Processes:
  • Retail banking (deposits, savings, checking accounts)
  • Commercial banking and business lending
  • Investment and wealth management divisions
  • Loan origination, underwriting, and servicing
  • Mortgage processing and real estate financing
Core Customers & Segments:
  • Individual consumers and retail customers
  • Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs)
  • Large corporate clients and institutional investors
  • Government entities
Regulatory Environment:
  • Federal Reserve, OCC, FDIC oversight
  • Anti-money laundering (AML) and KYC requirements
  • Basel III capital adequacy standards

IInformation

Key Information Types:
  • Customer account data and transaction history
  • Credit scores and risk assessments
  • Financial statements and tax records
  • Portfolio holdings and investment performance
  • Compliance and regulatory reporting data
Data Repositories:
  • Core banking systems (mainframe-based)
  • Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platforms
  • Credit risk modeling databases
  • Data warehouses for analytics and reporting

AApplication

Current Software Systems:
  • Core Banking Systems (TEMENOS, FIS, Fiserv)
  • Online and Mobile Banking platforms
  • Loan Management Systems (LMS)
  • Wealth Management platforms
  • Risk Management and Compliance systems
Legacy Systems:
  • Mainframe systems running COBOL applications
  • Older ATM and POS networks
Integration Needs:
  • API-based connectivity to payment networks (Visa, Mastercard)
  • Real-time settlement systems

TTechnology

Infrastructure:
  • Mainframe systems for core transaction processing
  • Secure cloud environments for scalable services
  • Distributed data centers with high availability
  • Private networks for secure interbank communication
Devices & Systems:
  • ATMs and self-service kiosks
  • POS terminals for merchant transactions
  • Mobile devices for banking apps
  • Biometric security systems

SSecurity

Regulatory Compliance:
  • Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA) for privacy
  • PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard)
  • SOX (Sarbanes-Oxley) for financial reporting controls
  • AML/KYC requirements
Security Measures:
  • End-to-end encryption for transactions
  • Multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all access
  • Tokenization for payment card data
  • Fraud detection and monitoring systems
  • Role-based access with segregation of duties
  • Regular penetration testing and vulnerability assessments

🛍️ Retail Industry

Fast-paced, customer-driven sector with omnichannel operations

BBusiness

Business Structure & Processes:
  • Physical store operations and store management
  • E-commerce and online sales channels
  • Inventory management and warehouse operations
  • Supply chain and vendor relationships
  • Customer loyalty and rewards programs
  • Marketing campaigns and promotional strategies
Core Customers & Markets:
  • Mass market retail or niche/specialty segments
  • Geographic regions and international markets
  • Online shoppers vs. in-store customers
Competitive Positioning:
  • Price competitiveness and value proposition
  • Product selection and brand partnerships
  • Customer experience and convenience

IInformation

Key Information Types:
  • Product catalogs with SKU (Stock Keeping Unit) data
  • Inventory levels across stores and warehouses
  • Customer purchase history and preferences
  • Pricing and promotional data
  • Sales transactions and point-of-sale (POS) data
Data Repositories:
  • POS systems for transaction capture
  • Inventory Management Systems (IMS)
  • Customer Data Platforms (CDP)
  • Data warehouses for analytics
  • E-commerce platforms (Shopify, Magento, custom solutions)

AApplication

Current Software Systems:
  • POS systems and cash register software
  • Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems
  • E-commerce platforms and shopping carts
  • Inventory and warehouse management systems
  • Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platforms
  • Business Intelligence and analytics tools
Interoperability:
  • Integration between online and offline channels
  • Real-time inventory synchronization
  • Payment gateway integrations

TTechnology

Infrastructure:
  • Cloud-based systems for scalability during peak seasons
  • Content delivery networks (CDN) for fast website loading
  • Mobile-first architecture for smartphone shoppers
  • Data centers with redundancy for uptime
Devices & Systems:
  • POS terminals and barcode scanners
  • Mobile devices for in-store associates
  • Self-checkout kiosks
  • RFID technology for inventory tracking
  • IoT sensors for store traffic and product monitoring

SSecurity

Compliance Standards:
  • PCI DSS for payment card security
  • GDPR and other data privacy regulations
  • Industry-specific retail security standards
Security Controls:
  • Encryption of customer payment data
  • Tokenization at POS terminals
  • Role-based access control for inventory and pricing
  • Fraud detection systems for transactions
  • Secure authentication for e-commerce logins
  • Regular security audits and penetration testing
  • CCTV and physical security integration with IT systems

🏭 Manufacturing Industry

Operations-focused sector with emphasis on production efficiency and quality control

BBusiness

Business Structure & Processes:
  • Production planning and scheduling
  • Supply chain management and procurement
  • Quality assurance and quality control
  • Maintenance and equipment management
  • Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement (Six Sigma, Kaizen)
  • Compliance with industry standards (ISO, FDA, etc.)
Core Stakeholders:
  • Plant managers and operations teams
  • Suppliers and vendors
  • Customers and distributors
  • Regulatory agencies
Competitive Positioning:
  • Production capacity and lead times
  • Quality certifications and standards
  • Cost efficiency and pricing
  • Innovation and product development

IInformation

Key Information Types:
  • Bill of Materials (BOM) and product specifications
  • Production schedules and capacity planning data
  • Equipment maintenance records and asset information
  • Quality metrics and defect tracking
  • Supply chain data and supplier performance
Data Repositories:
  • Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES)
  • Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems
  • Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems
  • Computer-Aided Design (CAD) repositories
  • Quality Management Systems (QMS)

AApplication

Current Software Systems:
  • Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) for production tracking
  • Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) for overall operations
  • Supply Chain Management (SCM) systems
  • Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and modeling software
  • Maintenance Management systems (CMMS)
  • Business Intelligence for analytics and reporting
Emerging Technologies:
  • Industrial IoT for real-time equipment monitoring
  • Predictive maintenance systems
  • Robotic Process Automation (RPA)

TTechnology

Infrastructure:
  • Industrial control networks and SCADA systems
  • Manufacturing execution environments
  • Hybrid cloud for operational data
  • On-premises systems for critical operations
Devices & Systems:
  • CNC machines and programmable logic controllers (PLC)
  • Robots and automated assembly systems
  • Sensors and IoT devices on production lines
  • Barcode and RFID systems for tracking
  • Industrial tablets for floor workers
  • Environmental monitoring systems

SSecurity

Regulatory Compliance:
  • ISO 9001 for quality management
  • OSHA and workplace safety regulations
  • Industry-specific standards (FDA for pharma, automotive standards)
  • Environmental compliance regulations
Security Controls:
  • Operational Technology (OT) security for industrial systems
  • Access controls for production floor equipment
  • Intellectual property protection for designs and processes
  • Production data encryption
  • Network segmentation between IT and OT systems
  • Audit trails for configuration changes
  • Physical security for sensitive manufacturing areas

💻 Technology & Software Industry

Innovation-driven sector focused on product development and digital transformation

BBusiness

Business Structure & Processes:
  • Product development and software engineering
  • Agile/Scrum development methodologies
  • DevOps and continuous integration/deployment (CI/CD)
  • Sales and customer success management
  • Technical support and customer support operations
  • Licensing and subscription management
Core Business Models:
  • SaaS (Software as a Service) with recurring revenue
  • Perpetual licensing with maintenance fees
  • Consulting and professional services
  • Marketplace and ecosystem models
Market Positioning:
  • Technology leadership and innovation
  • Developer community and ecosystem
  • Integration capabilities with other platforms

IInformation

Key Information Types:
  • Source code repositories and version control
  • Product roadmaps and feature backlogs
  • User analytics and product usage data
  • Performance metrics and system monitoring data
  • Customer subscription and licensing data
  • Bug reports and issue tracking
Data Repositories:
  • Git repositories (GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket)
  • Project management tools (Jira, Azure DevOps)
  • Data warehouses and analytics platforms
  • CRM systems for customer data
  • Log aggregation and monitoring systems

AApplication

Current Software Systems:
  • Development tools and IDEs (VS Code, JetBrains)
  • Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) platforms
  • Cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud)
  • Issue tracking and project management tools
  • Customer analytics and telemetry platforms
  • CRM and billing systems
Architecture Patterns:
  • Microservices and containerization (Docker, Kubernetes)
  • API-first design
  • Serverless computing

TTechnology

Infrastructure:
  • Multi-cloud deployments for reliability
  • Containerized microservices architecture
  • CDN for global content delivery
  • Distributed systems and data centers
Devices & Systems:
  • Development workstations and laptops
  • GPU clusters for AI/ML workloads
  • High-performance computing resources
  • IoT devices for connected products
  • Mobile devices for testing

SSecurity

Regulatory Compliance:
  • SOC 2 compliance for security and operations
  • ISO 27001 for information security
  • GDPR and data privacy regulations
  • HIPAA for healthcare-related products
Security Controls:
  • Secure code development practices (SSDLC)
  • Regular security code reviews and scanning
  • Penetration testing and vulnerability assessments
  • End-to-end encryption for data in transit and at rest
  • Multi-factor authentication for all access
  • API authentication and rate limiting
  • Intellectual property protection and DRM
  • Incident response and breach notification procedures

🎓 Education Industry

Student-centric sector focused on learning outcomes and institutional effectiveness

BBusiness

Business Structure & Processes:
  • Curriculum development and course design
  • Student enrollment and admissions management
  • Academic advising and student success services
  • Faculty hiring and development
  • Financial aid and student financing
  • Campus operations and facilities management
  • Accreditation and compliance requirements
Core Stakeholders:
  • Students and prospective students
  • Faculty and instructional staff
  • Alumni and donors
  • Employers and industry partners
  • Accrediting bodies and regulators
Competitive Positioning:
  • Academic reputation and rankings
  • Program offerings and specializations
  • Student outcomes and employment rates
  • Financial aid and affordability

IInformation

Key Information Types:
  • Student academic records and transcripts
  • Course catalogs and degree requirements
  • Faculty profiles and teaching loads
  • Financial aid and tuition data
  • Enrollment and demographic information
  • Learning outcomes and assessment data
Data Repositories:
  • Student Information Systems (SIS)
  • Learning Management Systems (LMS) like Canvas or Blackboard
  • Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS)
  • Financial systems and accounting software
  • Institutional research databases

AApplication

Current Software Systems:
  • Student Information Systems (Banner, Ellucian, PeopleSoft)
  • Learning Management Systems (Canvas, Blackboard, Moodle)
  • Admissions and enrollment management systems
  • Financial aid and student accounting systems
  • HR and payroll systems
  • Library management systems
Emerging Technologies:
  • Virtual and augmented reality for coursework
  • Learning analytics and predictive analytics
  • Synchronous and asynchronous learning platforms

TTechnology

Infrastructure:
  • Campus Wi-Fi and network infrastructure
  • Cloud hosting for learning management systems
  • Data centers for student information systems
  • Lecture halls with AV and streaming capabilities
Devices & Systems:
  • Student laptops and mobile devices
  • Interactive whiteboards and smart classrooms
  • Lecture capture systems
  • Proctoring software for online exams
  • Lab equipment and specialized software

SSecurity

Regulatory Compliance:
  • FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act)
  • GDPR for international student data
  • Title IX and civil rights compliance
  • Accreditation standards and requirements
Security Controls:
  • Student record privacy and access controls
  • Role-based access for faculty, staff, and administrators
  • Multi-factor authentication for system access
  • Data encryption for student information in transit and at rest
  • Audit trails for sensitive record access
  • DLP (Data Loss Prevention) for sensitive information
  • Network security and WiFi encryption

🏛️ Government & Public Sector

Mission-driven sector focused on public service, transparency, and citizen engagement

BBusiness

Business Structure & Processes:
  • Agency mission and public service delivery
  • Policy development and regulatory compliance
  • Benefits administration (Social Security, unemployment, etc.)
  • Licensing and permitting processes
  • Law enforcement and public safety operations
  • Infrastructure and transportation management
  • Emergency response and disaster management
Core Stakeholders:
  • Citizens and residents
  • Elected officials and government leadership
  • Interagency partners and other government entities
  • Contractors and vendors
  • Media and the public
Unique Challenges:
  • Political dynamics and changing priorities
  • Legacy system modernization
  • Budget constraints and fiscal responsibility

IInformation

Key Information Types:
  • Citizen records and vital statistics
  • Tax and revenue information
  • Permit and license applications
  • Crime statistics and incident reports
  • Infrastructure and asset management data
  • Budget and appropriations information
Data Repositories:
  • Citizen services portals and databases
  • Records management systems
  • GIS (Geographic Information Systems) for mapping
  • Financial management systems
  • Enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems

AApplication

Current Software Systems:
  • Government-specific ERP systems
  • Citizen services portals and websites
  • Records management and document control systems
  • Case management systems
  • GIS and mapping platforms
  • Financial and budget management systems
  • Public safety and criminal justice systems
Legacy Systems:
  • Mainframe-based systems for core services
  • Older database systems

TTechnology

Infrastructure:
  • Government data centers with strict compliance
  • Secure networks with high availability
  • Cloud services (GovCloud, Azure Government)
  • Disaster recovery and business continuity systems
Devices & Systems:
  • Desktop computers for government employees
  • Mobile devices for field work
  • Surveillance and monitoring systems
  • Communication systems (radio, phone)
  • Public kiosks for citizen services

SSecurity

Regulatory Compliance:
  • FISMA (Federal Information Security Management Act)
  • NIST cybersecurity framework and standards
  • FedRAMP for cloud services
  • State and local privacy laws
  • FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) requirements
Security Controls:
  • Multi-factor authentication for all government systems
  • Encryption of sensitive and classified information
  • Role-based access control with clearance levels
  • Extensive audit trails and logging
  • Regular security assessments and compliance audits
  • Cybersecurity incident response capabilities
  • Data classification and handling protocols
  • Background checks for system administrators

⚡ Energy & Utilities Industry

Critical infrastructure sector focused on reliability, safety, and sustainability

BBusiness

Business Structure & Processes:
  • Energy generation (fossil fuels, renewables, nuclear)
  • Transmission and distribution infrastructure
  • Customer billing and consumption management
  • Maintenance and asset management
  • Safety and compliance management
  • Grid operations and load balancing
  • Demand forecasting and capacity planning
Core Stakeholders:
  • Residential, commercial, and industrial customers
  • Regulatory agencies and public utility commissions
  • Equipment manufacturers and vendors
  • Employees and contractors
Market Factors:
  • Renewable energy transition and sustainability goals
  • Grid modernization and smart grid technologies
  • Energy efficiency and conservation programs

IInformation

Key Information Types:
  • Customer metering and consumption data
  • Infrastructure asset and equipment information
  • Grid operations and real-time dispatch data
  • Weather and forecasting data
  • Maintenance schedules and work orders
  • Billing and financial data
Data Repositories:
  • Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) systems
  • SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) systems
  • Enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems
  • Customer information systems (CIS)
  • GIS for infrastructure mapping

AApplication

Current Software Systems:
  • SCADA and energy management systems
  • Customer information and billing systems
  • Work order and maintenance management systems
  • Asset management systems
  • Grid operations and dispatch systems
  • Demand response and demand-side management platforms
  • GIS systems for infrastructure
Emerging Technologies:
  • Smart meters and IoT sensors
  • AI for grid optimization and demand forecasting
  • Distributed energy resources (DER) management

TTechnology

Infrastructure:
  • SCADA networks for real-time grid control
  • Data centers with redundancy and failover
  • Wide-area networks (WAN) for multi-site operations
  • Secure private networks for critical operations
Devices & Systems:
  • Smart meters at customer locations
  • Sensors and monitoring devices on infrastructure
  • Transformers and switching equipment
  • Communication networks for grid control
  • Mobile devices for field technicians
  • Generation control systems

SSecurity

Regulatory Compliance:
  • NERC CIP (North American Electric Reliability Corporation Critical Infrastructure Protection)
  • FERC (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) standards
  • State utility commission regulations
  • Environmental regulations and sustainability mandates
Security Controls:
  • Operational Technology (OT) security for critical infrastructure
  • Network segmentation between IT and OT systems
  • Multi-factor authentication for critical operations
  • Encryption of customer data and operational information
  • Firewalls and intrusion detection systems
  • Cybersecurity training for all employees
  • Incident response and recovery procedures
  • Supply chain security for equipment and software
  • Physical security for substations and generation facilities