What Is Data Analysis?
Data analysis converts information into conclusions upon which decisions are made, and actions are built. It is a mistake to think that data analysis involves solely processing information. It is also a means of testing existing hypotheses about a particular topic. The primary purpose of analysis becomes a general understanding of the situation under certain conditions. Analysts identify trends, uncover deviations from the plan, and make forecasts and recommendations.
Stages of data engineering consulting:
- collection of information
- data structuring
- analysis, identifying patterns and trends
- forecasting and making recommendations.
Data analysis is used in almost all areas of production. You can’t do without a specialist in data analysis when analyzing sales, goods on the shelves, financial indicators, forecasting and evaluating the effectiveness of promotions, key indicators of Internet marketing, organizing the work of various departments in production (personnel, information, and analytical, statistical, accounting).
Skills and Responsibilities of a Freelance Data Analyst
A data analyst is a specialist who can analyze data. The work can include not only structured, digitally measured data but historical reporting or information that is systematically updated in real time.
The duties of a data analyst are:
- collecting information
- primary processing of information and preparation of data for analysis – examination, sorting, filtering, clustering
- Identifying existing patterns in a particular attribute
- analysis, identification of trends
- drawing conclusions
- formation of recommendations on how to improve specific indicators and what to do for this purpose.
Solving these tasks allows you to effectively reach the primary goal of the analytics process: separation from the total mass of information, only the most necessary, valuable data that can be used in further work.
Among the skills that a freelance data analyst must possess are a deep understanding of the subject area and demonstrating a high level of communication. In addition, work with databases is impossible without knowledge of:
- Programming skills – R, Python
- Fluent knowledge of SAS and MySQL Postgres databases
- Proficiency in using Hadoop MapReduce infrastructure
- Ability to work with Machine Learning algorithms
- Ability to visualize information using Tableau, Qlick, View, Power BI
- Data Mining is an essential skill for achieving goals
In addition to highly specialized knowledge and skills, a reliable consultant data engineer should feel free to work alone, be ready, and like to do routine work. Excellent logic, patience, assiduity, and meticulousness – personal qualities that will help to cope with data analysis faster and better.
Benefits of a Freelance Data Analyst
Managers of various enterprises often ask who to entrust to perform data analysis – a full-time employee or a freelancer. There is no universal answer since the specifics and direction of the company and production capabilities vary from case to case. But, having learned all the advantages of data analytics freelance services, each manager can make an independent, balanced decision.
So, the six main advantages of a freelance analyst are:
- High professionalism – looking through resumes, you can notice that most freelancers have impressive work experience, have many contracts and positive reviews under their belt
- The ability to make decisions and independently organize your work time and personal space is impossible to nurture in a weak-willed person. A freelancer is a mature, conscious, and responsible person.
- The absence of problems with relationships within the team – a freelancer, is not interested in career promotion within a single company. He does one client’s work, says goodbye to him and his colleagues, and moves on to the next.
- Guarantee of work performance – a data engineer freelance, bound to the customer by a contract, must implement all the points indicated in the document within the specified terms. Otherwise, you will have to compensate for losses.
- No social obligations – a full-time employee has the right to vacation, sick leave, and various payments related to certain life circumstances. The freelancer receives only his labor payment and no more additional expenses.
- The flexibility of the schedule – freelance specialists can work at any time convenient. Therefore, they are easier to communicate with. Even at weekends, if the project manager has questions, they can almost always be answered by a data engineering consultancy.
Data engineering freelance strive to solve tasks as quickly and efficiently as possible. The absence of edits and claims will allow us to get the money earned and move on to the following tasks.
To Summarize.
Delegating data analysis work to a freelancer is a great idea. But each manager must decide with their capabilities and requirements in mind. Only some people are ready to expand the staff, introduce new rates, equip additional workplaces, and introduce the team to new faces.
An experienced database consultant can handle a certain amount of work and still guarantee high quality. As needs arise, it is always possible to return to the same performer if the manager and employee have found a common language and mutual interest.
Data analysis as a profession has been showing continuous growth for more than a decade. Professionals in this field are considered some of the most in-demand, highly paid, and promising to grow and move forward. Working with data is an integral part of the progressive IT field and not only this one. The number of projects is constantly growing, and freelancing – as a form of employment contract and cooperation – is becoming increasingly popular among today’s youth. Therefore, a freelancer will be an absolute godsend for anyone who needs urgent or continuous data analysis.