The number and type of planning analyst jobs depend on the industry that the analyst works in as well as the employer’s needs. The position exists in the fields of education, technology, finance, industry and medicine. Research and analysis of data, development of plans, and coordination of internal and external resources, along with reporting to management are common to all planning analyst jobs, but each of these jobs has its own unique features and duties.
Planning analyst jobs typically require at least a bachelor’s degree, although a master’s may be required for a supervisory position. Planning analyst duties in the education or medical field may require the degree to be in one of the social sciences with a concentration in a related field, but financial planning analysts usually need to have an MBA to acquire a position at the corporate level. Industrial and technological analysts need degrees in engineering or computer sciences.
Presenting developed plans and goals to upper management for the purpose of placing the employer in a strategically advantageous position is part of a planning analyst's job descriptipn. The ability to formulate research goals and processes along with the monitoring of the data collection activity may be required,and the position requires a strong aptitude for math, especially statistics. Most planning analyst jobs will require the analysts to oversee the warehousing of the information and research results.
Indentifying appropriate internal and external sources of data may also be one of a planning analyst's duties. The analyst, if he or she is working in a field that requires contact with the general public, will need to be able to communicate procedures and results to persons who possess little or no specialized knowledge. An example of this would be explaining a financial plan to an individual or group. The analyst may also be required to troubleshoot and modify procedures and formulas to customize the format or scope of the data being requested.
Projected job growth in the financial, medical, and technology sectors are expected to be higher than average, and industrial planning analyst jobs are expected to decline moderately, with positions lost due to attrition or consolidation of multiple assignments. Becoming an analyst can be a good choice of career for someone with strong math skills and a knack for planning different scenarios.
Overall, working conditions for planning analyst jobs are pleasant, climate controlled offices and quiet surroundings, but travel may be required. The salary and job growth prospects are excellent given the amount of education required for the position.
