What are common analytical tools generally used by Business Analysts for reporting requirements?

This will largely depend on:-

1. The source of the data
2. The scale of it (i.e. is it 'Big Data')
3. The type of data (structured, unstructured etc., live, snapshot etc.) 
4. The type of analysis
5. The format / media for output

The following are a general set of tools that would be useful to analysts. Keep in mind that non-standard or unusual analysis may require a specific or novel approach.

• Good understanding of relational databases, SQL etc.
• Excel or general spreadsheet tool for rudimental analysis / processing
• MapReduce or some other mapping / processing suite
• Perl, VB and/or flexible knowledge of scripting & programming techniques
• SPSS or some other advanced analysis tool
• Powerpoint and a good understanding of graphs and charts etc. for general data display
• Reporting engine / BI tool (Crystal Reports, Qwikview, Tableau etc.)

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