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New Post 3/5/2008 11:19 PM
User is offline gari12
2 posts
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BA Carrer Path 

Hi Everyone!

I would like to know what exactly is a carrer path of BA. May be it starts from Junior BA to Senior BA an then what? Is the next level a Project Manager or some profile related to "Operations"? Pls give a fair idea of what will be the career options after being 5 yrs in the BA field.

Thanks.

- Garima 

 
New Post 3/6/2008 4:39 AM
User is offline Jarett Hailes
155 posts
6th Level Poster




Re: BA Carrer Path 

Hi Garima,

The BA's I know who have left the position went on to project management.  Depending on where you started (what side you've come from), you may also go back to technical work as a team lead.  I could see a BA who works heavily during the planning stages of projects also move into management consulting.

 
New Post 3/6/2008 8:29 AM
User is offline Chris Adams
323 posts
5th Level Poster






Re: BA Carrer Path 

 Garima wrote

Hi Everyone!

I would like to know what exactly is a carrer path of BA. May be it starts from Junior BA to Senior BA an then what? Is the next level a Project Manager or some profile related to "Operations"? Pls give a fair idea of what will be the career options after being 5 yrs in the BA field.

Thanks.

- Garima 

Garima,

There is no single path that the Business Analyst follows, but if you intend to start in a Junior BA role and move up the ranks here is one such possibility.

  1. Junior Business/Systems Analyst (approx. 0-3 yrs exp)
  2. Business/Systems Analyst (approx. 2-7 yrs exp)
  3. Senior Business/Systems Analyst (approx. 5-10 yrs exp)
  4. Business/Systems Analysis Lead - Team Lead, managing small pieces of the project (approx. 7-12 yrs exp)
  5. Business/Systems Analysis Manager - Manager of all analysis for the entire project( approx. 10-20 yrs exp)

Note, these ranges are intentionally overlapping.

These are just approximations from my own experience at several companies.  The amount of time and experience it takes to move from one level to another will vary based on the organization you work for and your own ability and motivation to push yourself and learn as much as you can.

A few additional things to consider.  Many analysts feel that after a Sr. Business Analysis role you move into project management.  I think this understanding is flawed.  All Business Analysts should have solid project management skills that they employ everyday.  Sure Project Managers will be even more specialized but I think this is more of a lateral move. 

Now, often when people throw out the term Project Manager they are referring to the person who has ultimate authority over the entire project including analysis, development, testing, integration, etc.  Really this should be referred to as something else.  There are many terms that are thrown around interchangeably such as Program Manager, Project Executive, or Project Owner.  Of course, these terms are also used to imply other roles as well.

 


Chris Adams
Core Member – ModernAnalyst.com
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New Post 3/6/2008 7:37 PM
User is offline Jarett Hailes
155 posts
6th Level Poster




Re: BA Carrer Path 
Modified By Jarett Hailes  on 3/6/2008 10:38:50 PM)

Hi Chris,

I agree that the term Project Manager can be misused.  In my post, I was thinking of a PM who is control of an overall project (which would typically include BAs, developers, etc.).  In my current environment, a Project Manager is typically expected to run either one large project (10+ people) or be in charge of several (3-5) small projects simultaenously.  A Portfolio/Program Manager would be in charge of several Project Managers and have between 25-150 projects underneath them.

If only industry could come up with standard titles that meant the same largely everywhere.  At least locally people are starting to use BA exclusively instead of other less precise and confusing terms.

 
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