High performing business analysts are professionals in their field. To understand why PMs should be interested in also becoming BAs, let’s discuss what the Professional Business Analyst (PMI-PBA® Certified) does.
In today’s dynamic environment they own the requirements for the Project Manager’s project. Before the PM came on board, they identified business needs, finished a feasibility study that influenced the choice of the PMs project, created the change management procedures and policies for the project, elicited requirements, and all of the requirements’ specifications. During the PM’s project the BA will trace changes backwards and forwards making sure that the project aligns or is realigned to the organization’s goals and objectives, while communicating the changes to the appropriate stakeholders. The BA, thus guards the benefits, the value that the organization and its stakeholders seek to achieve from the project. The BA also creates the backlog for the Agile Projects and hands them off to the Agile Product Owner, but that ends the BA’s involvement. Thus the Agile project may have far less requirements’ risks.
The BA’s position is more permanent than the PM’s position as they have ongoing business analysis project assignments within the organization. They tend to work continuously with the appropriate business stakeholders identifying opportunities in order to create feasibility for more projects that will drive value. The organization’s sustainability is dependent on it. No organization wants to miss any opportunity that will keep them in existence for years to come, those that will continuously provide business value. However, the PM has no home. When the project finishes, the PM may not get another project. However, PMs are learning that they can be Professional Business Analysts or BAs, depending on the needs of the organizations. And on smaller projects they can wear “both hats.” More than that, high level business analysts have at least 5 years in project management experience.
PMs spend a lot of time doing analysis throughout their projects. Analysis is not foreign to their experience. They can learn so many more skills from the Professional Business Analysis Certification, PMI-PBA Certification, creating more flexibility to embrace the roles of a BA or a PM. They will also gather 35 PDUs towards their PMP Certification.
Create your own organizational sustainability. Develop more certifications to create a skill flexibility within your organization. Take the PMI-PBA Certification. You’ll be glad you did.
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