Cummins Inc. Business Analyst Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

Cummins Inc. is a global power leader that designs, manufactures, and distributes engines, filtration, and power generation products.

As a Business Analyst at Cummins, you will play a crucial role in bridging the gap between business needs and technical solutions, ensuring that projects align with organizational goals and deliver measurable value. Key responsibilities include collaborating with stakeholders to define success criteria for initiatives, managing requirements through effective communication and comprehensive documentation, and conducting solution assessments to validate that business and technical specifications are met. You will also be expected to navigate complex information, work with cross-functional teams, and contribute to process improvements that enhance efficiency.

The ideal candidate will possess strong analytical skills, effective communication abilities, and a strategic mindset, enabling them to anticipate stakeholder needs and manage competing priorities. Experience with project management and thorough understanding of business processes, particularly in a global finance environment, are essential. Additionally, familiarity with SQL and Oracle Applications will be advantageous.

This guide will help you prepare for a job interview at Cummins by providing insights into the specific skills and experiences they value, as well as the types of questions you may encounter. By understanding the expectations for the Business Analyst role, you will be better equipped to demonstrate your fit for the position.

The interview process for a Business Analyst position at Cummins Inc. is structured to assess both technical and interpersonal skills, ensuring candidates align with the company's values and operational needs. The process typically unfolds in several stages:

1. Initial Phone Interview

The first step usually involves a 30-minute phone interview with a recruiter or hiring manager. This conversation focuses on your resume, professional background, and interest in the role. Expect to discuss your understanding of business analysis, your career aspirations, and how you can contribute to Cummins' objectives. Behavioral questions may also be included to gauge your problem-solving abilities and interpersonal skills.

2. Technical Interview

Following the initial screening, candidates may undergo a technical interview, which can be conducted via video call. This stage often involves discussions around specific business analysis methodologies, tools, and techniques. You may be asked to demonstrate your understanding of requirements gathering, process improvement, and data analysis. Be prepared to discuss your experience with relevant software and any technical skills that are pertinent to the role.

3. Behavioral Interview

Candidates who progress to this stage will participate in a behavioral interview, which may take place in person or via video. This interview focuses on your past experiences and how they relate to the competencies required for the Business Analyst role. Expect questions that explore your ability to work in cross-functional teams, manage stakeholder relationships, and handle conflicts. You may also be asked to provide examples of how you've successfully implemented process improvements in previous roles.

4. Onsite Interview

The final stage typically involves an onsite interview, which may consist of multiple rounds with various team members, including senior analysts and managers. This comprehensive assessment will cover both technical and behavioral aspects, with an emphasis on collaboration, communication, and strategic thinking. You may be asked to participate in case studies or group discussions to evaluate your problem-solving skills and ability to work under pressure.

Throughout the interview process, candidates are encouraged to demonstrate their understanding of Cummins' business environment, particularly in relation to supply chain and IT practices, as well as their commitment to continuous improvement and stakeholder engagement.

As you prepare for your interview, consider the types of questions that may arise in each of these stages, particularly those that relate to your experience and how it aligns with the expectations of a Business Analyst at Cummins.

Here are some tips to help you excel in your interview.

Understand the Role and Its Impact

Before your interview, take the time to deeply understand the responsibilities of a Business Analyst at Cummins. Familiarize yourself with how the role contributes to defining business success, managing requirements, and facilitating cross-organizational coordination. Be prepared to discuss how your skills and experiences align with these responsibilities and how you can add value to the team.

Emphasize Process Improvement and Collaboration

Given the emphasis on process improvements and teamwork in the interview experiences shared by candidates, be ready to discuss specific examples from your past where you successfully improved a process or collaborated with cross-functional teams. Highlight your ability to build relationships and work effectively with diverse stakeholders, as this is crucial in a collaborative environment like Cummins.

Prepare for Behavioral Questions

Expect behavioral questions that assess your problem-solving abilities, conflict resolution skills, and motivation. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure your responses. For instance, when discussing a conflict, clearly outline the situation, your role, the actions you took to resolve it, and the positive outcome that followed.

Showcase Your Strategic Mindset

Cummins values a strategic mindset, so be prepared to discuss how you approach long-term planning and decision-making. Share examples of how you have anticipated future challenges or opportunities in your previous roles and how you translated those insights into actionable strategies.

Highlight Technical Proficiency

Given the technical nature of the role, ensure you are comfortable discussing relevant tools and methodologies, such as SQL, project management frameworks, and business analysis techniques. If you have experience with Oracle Applications or similar systems, be ready to elaborate on that as well.

Be Ready to Discuss Your Career Aspirations

Interviewers often ask about your long-term career goals. Reflect on where you see yourself in five years and how the Business Analyst role at Cummins fits into that vision. This shows that you are not only interested in the position but also in growing with the company.

Demonstrate Cultural Fit

Cummins places a strong emphasis on diversity and inclusion. Be prepared to discuss how you value different perspectives and how you have worked in diverse teams. This will demonstrate your alignment with the company’s culture and values.

Ask Insightful Questions

Prepare thoughtful questions to ask your interviewers. Inquire about the team dynamics, ongoing projects, or how success is measured in the Business Analyst role. This not only shows your interest in the position but also helps you gauge if the company is the right fit for you.

By following these tips and tailoring your responses to reflect your understanding of Cummins and the Business Analyst role, you will position yourself as a strong candidate ready to contribute to the team. Good luck!

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a Business Analyst interview at Cummins Inc. Candidates should focus on demonstrating their analytical skills, understanding of business processes, and ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders. The questions will cover various aspects of the role, including problem-solving, requirements gathering, and stakeholder management.

Experience and Background

1. Describe a time when you had to manage conflicting priorities among stakeholders. How did you handle it?

This question assesses your ability to balance the needs of multiple stakeholders and manage competing interests.

How to Answer

Provide a specific example where you successfully navigated conflicting priorities. Highlight your communication skills and how you ensured all parties felt heard and valued.

Example

“In my previous role, I was tasked with managing a project that had conflicting priorities from two departments. I organized a meeting with both teams to discuss their needs and concerns. By facilitating open communication, we were able to find a compromise that aligned with the overall project goals, ensuring both departments were satisfied with the outcome.”

Problem Solving

2. Can you describe a complex problem you faced in a project and how you resolved it?

This question evaluates your problem-solving skills and your approach to tackling challenges.

How to Answer

Discuss a specific problem, the steps you took to analyze it, and the solution you implemented. Emphasize your analytical thinking and the impact of your solution.

Example

“During a project, we encountered a significant delay due to a vendor issue. I conducted a root cause analysis and discovered that the vendor was not meeting their delivery timelines. I proposed an alternative vendor and presented the cost-benefit analysis to the stakeholders. After approval, we switched vendors, which not only resolved the delay but also improved our overall project timeline.”

Requirements Gathering

3. How do you approach gathering requirements from stakeholders?

This question assesses your methodology for eliciting and documenting requirements.

How to Answer

Explain your process for engaging stakeholders, including techniques you use to ensure comprehensive requirements gathering.

Example

“I typically start by conducting one-on-one interviews with key stakeholders to understand their needs. I also use workshops to facilitate group discussions, which helps in capturing diverse perspectives. After gathering the requirements, I document them clearly and validate them with stakeholders to ensure alignment before moving forward.”

Communication Skills

4. Describe a situation where you had to communicate complex information to a non-technical audience.

This question evaluates your ability to convey technical information in an understandable way.

How to Answer

Provide an example where you simplified complex information for a non-technical audience, focusing on your communication strategies.

Example

“In a previous project, I had to present technical specifications to a group of marketing professionals. I created a visual presentation that highlighted key points and avoided jargon. By using analogies and real-world examples, I was able to convey the information effectively, and the team felt confident in the technical aspects of the project.”

Strategic Thinking

5. How do you ensure that your projects align with the overall business strategy?

This question assesses your understanding of strategic alignment in project management.

How to Answer

Discuss your approach to aligning project goals with the broader business objectives, including any frameworks or tools you use.

Example

“I always start by reviewing the company’s strategic goals before initiating a project. I ensure that the project objectives are directly linked to these goals. During the project, I regularly check in with stakeholders to confirm that we are on track and make adjustments as necessary to maintain alignment with the business strategy.”