UML (Unified Modeling Language) diagrams are essential tools for business analysts to understand and communicate system requirements and objectives to stakeholders. There are 7 main UML diagram types, but business analysts most commonly use use case diagrams to map interactions between users and systems, activity diagrams to illustrate business process flows, and sometimes sequence and class diagrams. UML diagrams provide clarity on systems and aid collaboration between teams like business analysts, IT departments, and clients.