Analytical skills: What they are and examples

In the current era of data, analytical skills are indispensable. These abilities enable people to make sense of information, solve problems and choose wisely. This text will discuss what having analytical skills means and why they are important as well as providing examples from various fields.  

Additionally, we will show that the ESIC University Master’s Degree in Marketing & Sales Management (GESCO) is the best fit for students who wish to foster their strategic thinking and analytical abilities. 

What do we mean by the term “analytical skills”? 

Analytical skills means the potential of a person to amass knowledge, which they then break down into simpler forms or words that can be understood more easily; employing this outcome to solve problems so as to come up with rational decisions supported by evidence rather than baseless opinions; evaluating information critically and drawing logical deductions from it, while using organized research methods such as surveys, among others. 

Definition of analytical skills 

Analytical skills are defined as different cognitive abilities that allow individuals to process information and draw inferences from it. In simple words, this implies scrutinizing facts, finding patterns and detecting relations between variables, among other things.  

They are crucial in areas such as business, science, engineering and technology, where decisions need to be based on evidence. 

Examples of analytical skills 

Analytical skills are essential for problem-solving, decision-making, and critical thinking in both personal and professional contexts. Bellow we look various examples of analytical skills: 

Data analysis 

Data analysis refers to the examination of data sets in order to identify patterns, trends and correlations. For example, a marketing analyst might use data analysis methods to determine how successful an advertising campaign recently conducted by the company was. These numbers can also be interpreted so that they provide recommendations for future marketing strategies. 

Research 

Strong research abilities are an essential part of analytical skills. This means gathering information from different sources, assessing its reliability and then applying it to respond to specific questions or to solve problems.  

For instance, a scientist employed in a pharmaceutical company might carry out research to establish how well new drugs work. 

Critical thinking 

The capacity to think critically involves being able to evaluate information and arguments in a logical manner. Among such skillsets is questioning assumptions, recognizing bias and assessing the credibility of presented evidence.  

A project manager exercises critical thinking by evaluating various project proposals based on their feasibility and choosing the most viable one. 

Ability to solve problems 

Problem-solving is a critical component of analytical skills. This involves identifying problems, generating potential solutions and executing the most appropriate one. By way of illustration, an engineer can use their problem-solving capabilities to diagnose and fix faulty equipment. 

Logical thinking 

Logical thinking means reaching conclusions based on logical principles and thinking in a structured manner. Such competence becomes important in areas such as computer programming, where it is necessary to have logical steps for creating functional software. For example, during code debugging for program improvement, a software developer may employ logical reasoning. 

The importance of analytical skills 

Analytical skills are important for a lot of reasons: 

• Decision-making based on knowledge: these skills enable people to make decisions with data and facts instead of intuition or random guesses. 

• Problem-solving: this helps identify the real problems and find solutions that can work. 

• Productivity: analysis can increase productivity by finding areas for improvement and simplifying processes. 

• Creativity: analytical thinking may also generate creative solutions to problems or different ways of looking at them. 

• Competitiveness: in business, strong analytical skills foster better strategic planning, as well as market research, which gives an edge over rivals. 

If you are interested in delving deeper into analytical skills how to improve your negotiation skills, we encourage you to learn more about our Master’s Degree in Marketing and Sales Management. 

If you want to develop your reasoning and evaluation abilities, a Master’s Degree in Marketing and Sales Management is the best decision for you. ESIC University offers such a course,  also known as Global Executive Program in Marketing.  

The reason behind universal development of the curriculum lies in its multidisciplinary nature, where different areas of study are covered that include strategy formulation and data analysis, among others, which are necessary for dynamic industries like these. 

In ESIC’s opinion, what sets apart the GESCO program from others worldwide is its applicability to real life situations, as the lecturers have previously worked in various companies and there are strong relationships with employers. All of this enables students to do more practical, case studies and update their knowledge, thus increasing their understanding of contemporary marketing environment complexities.  

Studying the GESCO program provides  students with the necessary tools to fill managerial positions in the advertising-sales industry, since this type of environment enhances their training.