Many companies wind up having one person perform both jobs because they don't understand the unique skill sets each role entails. Ideally your PM is a big picture thinker, someone who likes to look at all parts of the whole. This person excels at seeing how all the parts come together and craves control of the overall direction.

A good BA, on the other hand, is detail oriented to the max. They focus on critical business functions, drill into stakeholder concerns like a laser and want to answer specific questions. The BA doesn't worry about scheduling - or costs for that matter. Instead, a solid BA tears into product requirements and specifications to make sure that the business side gets what it asked for. Like a good investigative reporter, an effective BA leaves no stone unturned in the quest to ensure that each team member does what they are paid to do.

Learning Objectives:

• Educating management about the importance of role delineation
• Mapping out two distinct career trajectories to prevent individuals from being forced into a dual role
• Assigning a mentor to guide an employee that must combine roles

Skill Level: Everyone