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What does a business analyst do for a project? How is that different from the role of project manager? Although the roles are different, many of the skills used in both roles are the same.
Let’s take a look at the roles and how they all work together to deliver a project.
What are the responsibilities of a PM and BA on a project?
Five main responsibilities for a business analyst
What is a project manager?
Other differences
The professional aspect: BA Certification vs PM CertificateWho is responsible for the BA’s project management?
Similarities between project managers and business analystsDomains
Interpersonal skills
Change management
Administrative tasks
Running meetings
Summary
Answer your questions
Business analyst jobs are a good stepping stone to project management jobs.
Is a project manager worth more than a business analyst.
What is the average salary of a business analyst?
Is there a business analyst for every project?
Project management responsibilities: What are the responsibilities of a BA or PM?
Let’s first look at the different responsibilities of the roles of project manager and business analyst on a project.
What does a business analyst do for a living?
The PMI Business Analysis Practice Standard defines business analysis as follows:
This is a set of activities that are used to identify and recommend business solutions.
Pullan and Archer, Business Analysis and Leadership (Kogan Pages, 2013), write:
Business analysis is the ability to understand and respond to a business situation. It is a role that helps organizations learn more about themselves and how to use that knowledge in solving problems and taking advantage of new opportunities.
The role of business analyst begins with input to the business case, and continues through the project.
Five main responsibilities for a business analyst
According to the IIBA UK 2020 survey, the top five areas that business analysts are responsible for are:
Analysis of requirements
Collaboration and Elicitation
Facilitation of workshops
Management of the life cycle requirements
Planning and monitoring business analysis.
Being a good BA is more than keeping a requirement traceability matrix. It’s about helping to identify business needs and crafting a solution that solves the problem.
They work closely with product owners or product managers, as well as other stakeholders, to accomplish this.
What is a project manager?
Project managers are responsible to ensure that the work is completed on schedule, to the right standard, with the participation of the right stakeholders, and within budget. They are the ones who keep the cats happy.
Both roles can be difficult to explain to someone who has never worked in a project environment.
To avoid miscommunications and overlap in work, make sure that both roles are clearly defined in a role and responsibilities document. This will make you both more productive.
The following table outlines the general responsibilities of each role. However, it will depend on the experience of the people who fill the roles and the requirements for your particular project.
Project manager’s responsibilitiesBusiness analyst’s responsibilitiesCreating the project charter and defining the project scope, objectives, goals, and vision for the project (in conjunction with the project sponsor)Creating the business analysis approach: Making tailoring decisions about how to complete the analysis required from planning the BA approach to creating estimates for the required workCreating a project plan for how the work will be done including a project scheduleEliciting requirements relevant to business problems and engaging with stake