Business intelligence and business analytics are two terms that are often used interchangeably by professionals. But business experts frequently debate whether business intelligence is a subset of business analytics, or vice versa, and there is often an overlap between how the two fields are defined. 

Understanding the differences between business intelligence and business analytics can help leaders choose the appropriate tools and talent to help grow their business. Current and aspiring business students can also use this knowledge to assess what educational programs can prepare them best for a successful career in their chosen field. 

Traditionally, business intelligence has been defined as the use of data to manage day-to-day operational management within a business. Leaders employ business intelligence tools and experts when they want to collect and house data about current operations, maximize workflow, produce informative reports, and achieve their current business goals.

Business intelligence tools can include a variety of software tools and other systems. Some of these include spreadsheets, online analytical processing, reporting software, business activity monitoring software, and data mining software. Some experts would also argue that business intelligence tools also include the more predictive and statistical tools used in business analytics.

Overall, business intelligence helps leaders navigate organizational and industry-related challenges and ensures that companies stay focused on their primary target to successfully get where they want to go.

Business analytics has generally been described as a more statistical-based field, where data experts use quantitative tools to make predictions and develop future strategies for growth.¹ For example, while business intelligence might tell business leaders what their current customers look like, business analytics might tell them what their future customers are doing. Some experts use business analytics as a term to describe a set of predictive tools used within the realm of business intelligence.

Business analytics tools are employed for many functions, including correlational analysis, regression analysis, factor analysis, forecasting analysis, text mining, image analytics, and others.² Many of these tools require companies to hire or contract data scientists and have increased the demand for training in business analytics.

As noted above, there are several key differences between how experts define business intelligence versus business analytics. These variances reflect trends in business language and job growth, the size and age of an organization, and whether an organization desires to invest in a present or future focus. Business leaders must consider these differences when they decide how much to invest in contracting business intelligence and analytical tools for their organizations.

Business analytics is a newer, trendier term than business intelligence, even though there is significant overlap in their definitions and usage. More people have conducted Google searches of business analytics than for business intelligence, reflecting the growth of business analytics as an umbrella term rather than strictly a description of statistical and predictive tools.³

This upsurge in references to analytics perhaps reflects the growth in the field of data science and analytics. There is a current talent shortage in the field, as companies compete to hire experienced data scientists and data engineers, and directors of analytics. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that demand for data scientists will grow 35% between 2022 and 2032. This is much faster than the average for all occupations.⁴

The size of an organization can also determine whether business intelligence or analytical tools are employed. Traditionally marketed toward larger enterprises, business intelligence tools may also be used at smaller companies that may lack staff with a background in data science but want to use corporate data to improve functioning or plan for the future.⁵ Regardless of size, most organizations want tools that can help with both current operations and predictive planning.

The age of an organization can also influence a manager’s decision to use intelligence or analytics tools. If a business is brand new or has recently undergone massive changes, then predictions about business trends via business analytics may be the most useful. They can be particularly appealing for start-ups that have access to large amounts of data and want to be competitive with larger, more established companies.

For well-established organizations that simply want to learn more about the organizational process or employee performance, business intelligence tools might be more appropriate. However, most organizations generally will want some combination of the two.

A common school of thought for distinguishing between business intelligence and business analytics is the disparity between focusing on the present or future challenges of an organization. Some experts argue that business intelligence involves using historical data to make decisions about how a company should run in the present day, whereas business analysis may use historical data to predict what might happen in the future or how an organization can move forward.⁶

A present focus using business intelligence may be more useful for leaders who are generally satisfied with business operations but want to identify “pain points” in workflow, increase efficiency, streamline processes, or meet a specific goal. But for those who want to change their business model or major functioning within an organization, business analytics might provide more useful insights.⁷

Businesses have both a present and future focus—they want to maximize their existing strategies but also make space for exploring new ones.

Career outcomes in business intelligence or business analytics will vary depending on your training and the type of position sought. Like their definitions, there is some inevitable overlap in whether certain positions are described as using business intelligence, business analytics, or both.

Many careers require education and training in business intelligence. Project managers, consultants, directors, analysts, and other specialists often use business intelligence tools to improve workflow, meet organizational goals, and reduce operating costs. All of these positions may require some knowledge of the tools used by data scientists, but they also require “soft skills” as well, such as communicating findings to project managers and ensuring that projects are completed in a timely and cost-effective manner. 

Business intelligence analyst is one of the most popular careers in the field of business intelligence. Analysts use available historical organizational data as well as market data to help companies maximize profit. They also must be able to effectively communicate this data to project managers and other leaders.

Business analytics continues to be an evolving field—Bloomberg Businessweek  research notes that while it’s gone mainstream, business analytics is still in its “emerging” stage. Many organizations still rely on old technologies and standards, and continue to seek high-level talent to turn big ideas, questions, and data into actionable insights.⁸

In response, many business schools have added master’s programs or certificate programs in business analytics to match this demand, such as the Harvard Business Analytics Program.⁹

The program is specifically for aspiring and current leaders who are interested in advancing their analytical skills to drive change and boost innovation using data. Students learn to analyze, interpret, and translate data to ultimately make strategic decisions at the highest levels within their organization.

As trends and terminology evolve and expand, business leaders will continue to debate how to define business intelligence and business analytics. But it is safe to say that most businesses will invest in both their current operations and future success, ensuring the need for both sets of tools and experts. 

1. https://hbr.org/2013/12/get-a-better-return-on-your-business-intelligence ↩︎
2. https://www.educba.com/business-intelligence-vs-business-analytics/ ↩︎
3. https://www.forbes.com/sites/bernardmarr/2016/02/04/the-18-best-analytics-tools-every-business-manager-should-know/ ↩︎
4. https://www.betterbuys.com/bi/business-intelligence-vs-business-analytics/ ↩︎
5. https://analytics.hbs.edu/blog/data-science-job-market/ ↩︎
6. https://selecthub.com/business-intelligence/business-intelligence-vs-business-analytics/ ↩︎
7. https://www.betterbuys.com/bi/business-intelligence-vs-business-analytics/  ↩︎
8. https://hbr.org/2012/10/data-scientist-the-sexiest-job-of-the-21st-century ↩︎
9. https://analytics.hbs.edu/#descriptions ↩︎

Citation for this content: Harvard Business Analytics Program