roadmap.sh: Data Analyst

What it is

roadmap.sh is a community-driven, open source site of visual learning paths. Its Data Analyst roadmap lays out the skills an analyst is expected to have as a single map: the analysis workflow, spreadsheets, SQL, a programming language such as Python or R, descriptive and inferential statistics, data cleaning, visualisation and BI tools such as Power BI and Tableau, and some wider topics like big data and machine learning basics. Each node opens a short explanation with links to further reading.

Who it is for

Students and career changers who want to see the whole field before committing time, and working analysts who want to check for gaps. It is also useful for people coming from a different role, such as operations, finance or marketing, who already do some analysis in spreadsheets and want to know what separates that from an analyst job.

How to use it well

Do not try to work through every node in order. Treat it as a map and a checklist:

• Mark what you already know honestly, which means you could use it on a real dataset without notes.
• Pick one path through it: one spreadsheet tool, SQL, one BI tool or Python, and statistics. Leave the rest until you meet it in a job description.
• Come back to it every few weeks to see what your next gap is.

Signing in lets you track progress, which is free.

Is it worth your time?

As a map, yes. It shows the shape of the subject in one view and stops you from over-investing in one area, such as a fifth Python course, while never learning statistics. It is not a course: explanations are short, and real skill comes from the linked resources and from practising on real data. Some later nodes, such as machine learning and big data tools, go beyond what most entry-level analyst roles ask for.

Time needed

Skimming the map takes under an hour. Working through the core of it (spreadsheets, SQL, statistics, one visualisation tool and a portfolio) is usually several months of steady part-time study.

Common questions

Do I need both Python and a BI tool? Not to start. Most entry-level roles ask for strong SQL and spreadsheets plus one of Power BI, Tableau or Python. Check real job descriptions in your market.

Is it the same as the BI Analyst roadmap? No. The BI Analyst roadmap leans further into reporting, data warehousing and business stakeholders; this one is broader across analysis methods and tools.

Is it free? Yes. roadmap.sh offers some paid extras, but the roadmaps are free. The GitHub star count above is the figure roadmap.sh shows on its own pages as of 2026-09.