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The Hybrid PM / BA

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Drake Settsu Project Manager / Blogger Hi, United States
What are your thoughts on such a role?

Is it realistic to perform both roles at the same time?
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Riyadh Salih Saskatchewan, Canada
BA is the foundation to start a project so if all seems good in BA then PM will follow and then through out the project you can perform business analysis to see that the profit of the project is heading in the right direction so I would say it is possible and good practice to do both.
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1 reply by Drake Settsu
Mar 01, 2018 11:33 PM
Drake Settsu
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Thanks Riyadh,

I agree with your comments. Both disciplines are valuable if you have the skill set to perform both.
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Drake Settsu Project Manager / Blogger Hi, United States
Mar 01, 2018 11:12 PM
Replying to Riyadh Salih
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BA is the foundation to start a project so if all seems good in BA then PM will follow and then through out the project you can perform business analysis to see that the profit of the project is heading in the right direction so I would say it is possible and good practice to do both.
Thanks Riyadh,

I agree with your comments. Both disciplines are valuable if you have the skill set to perform both.
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Riyadh Salih Saskatchewan, Canada
Yes Drake, in PRINCE 2 it always look through process stages to evaluate the business case.
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Sante Delle-Vergini, PhD Senior Project Manager| Infosys Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
I would say definitely yes, and in fact many do.
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Rami Kaibni
Community Champion
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten Associates New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Wait until Sergio see this question. I am sure he will have a strong opinion on this :D

My opinion: Hybrid might work for small projects but I do not think any can take the role of the other on large projects.
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1 reply by Drake Settsu
Mar 02, 2018 2:57 AM
Drake Settsu
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Rami,

You make a good point on large projects. A PM will have a lot on their plate managing a large project and doing BA work might be asking for it.
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Eric Simms Senior Program Manager Baltimore, Maryland, United States
Do you mean act as the full time PM and BA on a project? If so, I'd have to advise against it. I was a BA before I became a PM, and while being a BA is helpful in my current position, it's VERY difficult to perform both roles because each consumes a lot of time and attention.
That said, you might be able to assume both roles on small, relatively simple projects, but doing so on a major endeavor almost guarantees you will become overstretched, and either your work or your personal life (probably both) will suffer.
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1 reply by Drake Settsu
Mar 02, 2018 3:00 AM
Drake Settsu
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Eric,

I meant full time PM and BA bouncing back an forth. So I concur with your comments.
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Drake Settsu Project Manager / Blogger Hi, United States
Mar 02, 2018 12:35 AM
Replying to Rami Kaibni
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Wait until Sergio see this question. I am sure he will have a strong opinion on this :D

My opinion: Hybrid might work for small projects but I do not think any can take the role of the other on large projects.
Rami,

You make a good point on large projects. A PM will have a lot on their plate managing a large project and doing BA work might be asking for it.
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Drake Settsu Project Manager / Blogger Hi, United States
Mar 02, 2018 2:34 AM
Replying to Eric Simms
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Do you mean act as the full time PM and BA on a project? If so, I'd have to advise against it. I was a BA before I became a PM, and while being a BA is helpful in my current position, it's VERY difficult to perform both roles because each consumes a lot of time and attention.
That said, you might be able to assume both roles on small, relatively simple projects, but doing so on a major endeavor almost guarantees you will become overstretched, and either your work or your personal life (probably both) will suffer.
Eric,

I meant full time PM and BA bouncing back an forth. So I concur with your comments.
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Kiron Bondale Retired | Mentor| Retired Welland, Ontario, Canada
Drake -

it's a question of complexity. Can a PM wear another hat - sure. Should they? It depends.

On a low complexity project, if the PM is skilled in requirements elicitation and analysis they could play a dual role, but on a more complex project, they will likely end up short-changing one role or the other.

Whenever such "efficiencies" are attempted, one always has to assess the risks related before proceeding.

Kiron
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Drake Settsu Project Manager / Blogger Hi, United States
Kiron,

I totally agree with you.

Wearing two hats at the same time on a big project is like wielding a double edged sword.

Drake
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