When merging data from two customer account systems with different column names, what is the first action a business analyst should take?

In the context of merging data from two customer account systems that utilize different column names, the first action a business analyst should take is to map the tables. Mapping the tables involves identifying and aligning the different column names in each data set to ensure that data from the two sources can be accurately combined.

By performing this mapping, the business analyst can clarify how each column in one system corresponds to a column in another system, despite their different names. This is crucial for maintaining data integrity and ensuring that the merged data set will be coherent and useful for analysis.

The other actions, such as selecting specific accounts or concatenating tables, come afterward. These steps rely on a clear understanding of how the data maps together. Without proper mapping, any subsequent actions may lead to errors or misrepresentation of the combined data.