[wheelinsupial]

I think the product manager job and product owner role have replaced BAs. I'm a BA, but I think it's a disappearing role in software.

I think my reading falls into three categories. Product management related authors and topics, (technical) project management, and CS fundamentals & software development (this is by far my weakest area and needs a lot more effort).

[goldenchrome]

What's the difference between a BA and a PM?

[wheelinsupial]

Sorry, I don't have a good, concise answer for you.

Focusing on software, in my view:

1. BAs are focused on developing internal business applications to be used by the employees of a business. Whereas PMs are focused on developing products to be sold to others (B2B or B2C). BAs were used at organizations where software is a supporter or enabler of the business as opposed to at organizations where the business is software, which would use PMs.

2. The role of a BA is a subset of the role of a PM. So, the PM's focus is a little broader in scope and would include more work with external stakeholders, go to market strategy, revenue, profit and loss, and maybe budgeting.

Beyond that, what exactly is a BA? This is tough to answer because there is no standard definition. BA job descriptions will differ between companies and even within a company, they will differ between departments.

Not sure if that helps.

[tanseydavid]

> What's the difference between a BA and a PM?

I was thought that you were priming us for a really good joke.

Come on! What's the punchline?

[ianai]

I think BA is more on the finance side of the house and may be lower level, depending on firm. I know there are PM certifications, but BA is more like MBA/MA or bachelors stuff. As someone else said, BA is a wider term.