BA & PMCats and Dogs or Allies?

By: DoanVD

Content

• Raise awareness & interest– BA & PM definition

– BA & PM collaboration model

– Similarities & Differences between the 2 roles

• Discuss aspects of the 2 roles being played– By the same person

– By different people

BA Definition

The liaison among stakeholders in order to understand the structure, policies, and operations of an organization, and to recommend solutions that enable the organization to achieve its goals

(IIBA)

PM Definition

GOALGOAL

• on Time

• within Budget

• per Specifications (Scope)

Or, a TRILEMMA?Or, a TRILEMMA?

• “Good, fast, or cheap … pick two!”

The person responsible for accomplishing the stated project objectives

(Wiki)

In summary

BA is accountable to define value

BA is accountable to define value PM is accountable to

delivery solution though project management

PM is accountable to delivery solution though

project management

BA & PM: collaboration model

Differences between the 2 roles by Project StageInitiation Stage: Tasks

Differences between the 2 roles by Project StagePlanning Stage: Tasks

BA

PM

Differences between the 2 roles by Project StagePlanning Stage: Tasks

BA

Build BA Team

(with large Project)PM

Build Project Team

Differences between the 2 roles by Project StageExecution/Monitoring & Controlling Stage: Tasks

PMFocus on Project

parameters

PMFocus on Project

parameters

RisksRisks

ScopeScopePerformancePerformance

BAFocus on Product

parameters

BAFocus on Product

parameters

RisksRisks

ScopeScopePerformancePerformance

- Time/schedule- Cost/budget- People & other resource

- Corrective actions- Preventive actions

- Functionality/features- Quality- Fit for needs/purpose

- Change Requests- Defect fixes

Differences between the 2 roles by Project StageClosing Stage: Tasks

Validate & obtain Project

Acceptance

Validate & obtain Project

Acceptance

Transition Project to

Operations

Transition Project to

Operations

Close ProjectClose

Project

Validate & obtain

Product Acceptance

Validate & obtain

Product Acceptance

Transition Product

Development to Product

Support

Transition Product

Development to Product

Support

Close BA activitiesClose BA activities

Project Manager

Business Analyst

Similarities between the 2 roles by Project Stage

BA/PMBA/PM

Identify Project Stakeholders &

their needs, interests &

roles / responsibilities

Identify Project Stakeholders &

their needs, interests &

roles / responsibilities Develop,

communicate & obtain

agreement on the Project

Charter / Scope

Develop, communicate &

obtain agreement on

the Project Charter / Scope

Communicate activities

performance / status

Communicate activities

performance / status

Manage plan execution, monitor &

control variations

Manage plan execution, monitor &

control variations

Communicate / report activities

status

Communicate / report activities

status

Lessons-learnedLessons-learned

Similarities & Differences between the 2 roles by Project Stage (Summary)

InitiatingInitiating PlanningPlanning ExecutingExecutingMonitoring

and ControllingMonitoring

and ControllingClosingClosing

- Develop Business Analysis Management Plan

- Build BA team (with large Project)

- Develop / update document- Collaborate with Team

- Manage Product performance / scope / risks:+ Functionality/features+ Quality+ Fit for needs/purpose+ Change Requests+ Defect fixes

- Validate & obtain Product Acceptance- Transition Product Development to Product Support- Close BA activities

Project Definition & Analysis (high level):- Goals & Objectives- Specific deliverablesBusiness Analyst

- Communicate activities performance/status- Manage plan execution, monitor & control variations

- Communicate / report activities status

- Lessons-learned

- Identify Stakeholders & their needs, interests& roles / responsibilities- Develop / Finalize, communicate & obtain agreement on the Project Charter/Scope

- Develop Project Management Plan

- Build Project team

Manage Project performance / scope / risks:+ Time/schedule+ Cost/budget+ People & other resource+ Corrective actions+ Preventive actions

- Validate & obtain Project Acceptance- Transition Project to Operations- Close Project

Project kick-off

Project Manager

Similarities & Differences between the 2 rolesBy Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

BA:

- Detail-oriented

- Listens to people

- Helps people (Developer team) describe how & why they perform tasks

- Identifies business issues

- Possesses investigative skills

BA:

- Detail-oriented

- Listens to people

- Helps people (Developer team) describe how & why they perform tasks

- Identifies business issues

- Possesses investigative skills

PM:

- Ability to see the “big picture” for the project

- Helps people (project team) get things done

- Removes issue barriers

- Possesses management skills

PM:

- Ability to see the “big picture” for the project

- Helps people (project team) get things done

- Removes issue barriers

- Possesses management skills

- Standards/best practices: BABOK (IIBA)

- Certification: CBAP (IIBA)

- Standards/best practices: BABOK (IIBA)

- Certification: CBAP (IIBA)

- Standards/best practices: PMBOK (PMI)

- Certification: PMP (PMI)

- Standards/best practices: PMBOK (PMI)

- Certification: PMP (PMI)

Common:- Strong Communicate Skills

- Understanding of the Software Development Life Cycle

- Negotiation/consensus building

- Strong interpersonal & client management skills

Common:- Strong Communicate Skills

- Understanding of the Software Development Life Cycle

- Negotiation/consensus building

- Strong interpersonal & client management skills

Similarities & Differences between the 2 rolesOthers …

PM hires BA

Branding company

Client hires BA

Members relationship

Members relationship

PM reports to

- Management Team

- Stakeholders

- Client

BA reports to

- BA team lead

- PM

BA & Client

- Influences

- New opportunities

……

Let’s now discuss both situations:- Performed by same person- Performed by different people

1 person, 2 hats

AdvantagesAdvantages

“Quick communication”“Quick communication”

Seeing the Whole PictureSeeing the Whole Picture

Can be very efficient if the person has strong experience in both rolesCan be very efficient if the person has strong experience in both roles

Can be very efficient for agile projectsCan be very efficient for agile projects

DisadvantagesDisadvantages

“Lack of communication”“Lack of communication”

Only one point of viewOnly one point of view

Unbalanced experience leads to biased behaviorUnbalanced experience leads to biased behavior

Less efficient in managing accountabilityLess efficient in managing accountability

Often, hard to switch hatsOften, hard to switch hats

2 people, 1 hat (each)

AdvantagesAdvantages

Better role definition & focusBetter role definition & focus

Explicit communicationExplicit communication

A bigger pool of ideas/opinions, perspectivesA bigger pool of ideas/opinions, perspectives

Better resource allocation & role back-upBetter resource allocation & role back-up

Allows fast-tracking a projectAllows fast-tracking a project

If done right, can enhance team performanceIf done right, can enhance team performance

DisadvantagesDisadvantages

Slower communicationSlower communication

If not done well, can lead to conflict & confrontationIf not done well, can lead to conflict & confrontation

Unbalanced experience can lead to unbalanced role performanceUnbalanced experience can lead to unbalanced role performance

May slow down assembling the teamMay slow down assembling the team