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by goldenchrome 1387 days ago
What's the difference between a BA and a PM?
3 comments

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.

> 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?

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.