Data analysts stretched, lack engineering resources, current data, says survey
![larry-dignan-eic.jpg](https://www.zdnet.com/a/img/resize/ad5eaccb545ef683588243a9891d5f678df042df/2017/04/26/eb462fe7-e39e-43ba-abbd-c4ca2442306e/larry-dignan-eic.jpg?auto=webp&fit=crop&frame=1&height=192&width=192)
![fivetran-survey-3.png](https://www.zdnet.com/a/img/resize/c10f7bdcef4d2189dfa14efa6b6a351d8c289cc6/2020/06/10/a6e09907-3612-4743-ad26-71110d5e0200/fivetran-survey-3.png?auto=webp&width=1280)
Data analysts spend half of their time doing actual analysis with the rest spent on cleansing and integrating information, according to a study sponsored by Fivetran.
Fivetran's research, conducted by Dimensional Research, highlights how data analytics has become like IT--a profession that spends more time on keep the lights on instead of innovating. The most damning item in the research is that 68% of data analysts have ideas to drive profits, but don't have the time to implement.
According to the nearly 500 data pros surveyed, more than 60% said they waste time waiting for engineering resources each month. And 90% of respondents said that their work has been slowed by unreliable data sources.
Fivetran's survey highlights a bevy of moving parts in the data analysts industry. Consider:
- 98% of companies are using business intelligence tools.
- 71% of companies plan to hire more data analysts within the next year.
- 74% of companies will grow business intelligence users in the next year.
- Marketing teams use the most business intelligence followed by finance, sales and executives. Salespeople navigating digital transformation, data, virtual selling in new normal, says LinkedIn
- 86% of data analysts struggle with data that's out of date and 60% say data schemas change monthly.
- And 92% perform tasks outside of their role.