• Analyzing costs and requirements are major duties for the database analyst.calculator image by Alexander Zhiltsov from Fotolia.com
  
  Database analysts are necessary in today's business world not just for technological reasons, but also for better communication between user groups and programmers. This individual understands the precise technical details necessary to create a sound database design. The database analyst can specialize in a particular industry, like health care or financial services, to create designs that meet industry regulations and are user-friendly.
  
  

Needs Assessment

• The analyst meets with different user groups to establish user requirements. He reviews the history of prior systems to see what worked and what did not. He understands the industry regulations that must be taken into account in the database design.
  
  

Developing Solutions

• The analyst provides a solution based on a cost analysis and comparison of different software packages and operating platforms. She recommends specific platforms and software to resolve user requirements. She talks to vendors to find new database solutions that may not be implemented, if not restricted to one database program.
  
  

Documentation

• The analyst writes up user needs in a specifications document. He translates users needs into a sound database design with tables, fields, and relationships within the document in exact detail. He provides a cost estimate of new systems or proposed changes.
  
  

Implementation

• Written approval on the specifications document is required to ensure all parties are in agreement. Coding is provided by programmers, unless the individual is a database programmer/analyst. The analyst works with programmers to spot bugs and make sure design adheres to the specifications document.
  
  

Maintenance

• The analyst imports old data into a new system. She ensures data integrity. She provides user support for exports, data issues, and security problems.