The High performing PM and BA RelationshipPresented by Ayang Obi-Odu MBA

Agenda for the Day A little bit about Me Why is this relationship critical to the success of a

Project? The Traditional PM and BA Relationship The Ideal PM and BA Relationship Forging this Relationship Recap Conclusion Q&A

A Little Bit About Me A Husband and a Father of 2 gorgeous girls Loves to engage people on Life's Big 3 Questions (Where

did we come from? Why are we here? Where are we going? By Day Snr. Business Analyst MBA specialising in International Business and

Sustainability A whole lot of hands on experience on

Waterfall Agile Wild West Projects

Industry Experience: Engineering, Government, Finance, Education and Health

Why is this relationship critical to the success of an IT Project? The PM and BA roles are typically assigned first on a Project They are largely the face of the project to the Business /

Stakeholders The successful delivery of the project and identification of the

problem to be solved primarily sits with these two roles A respectful and trusting relationship means project risks and

Issues are communicated and resolved in a timely and effective manner

A poor relationship between the two roles can adversely impact the quality of requirements and the PMs ability to successfully deliver the project.

The Traditional PM and BA Relationship

The PM Manages the BA

The PM is the BAs direct Report on project related work

The PM decides the deliverables the BA should provide

The BA does not ensure the PM is confident about what solution is being delivered

The BA produces formal regular status reports for the PM

The BA is not empowered to own their deliverables

The BA is not empowered to make Solution verification and validation decisions

The Ideal PM and BA Relationship The PM doesn’t manage the BA but works with the BA (Partnership)

The BAs direct on project related work is a Lead BA or BA Manager

The BA decides which BA deliverables are required

The BA ensures the PM is confident and well informed on the solution being delivered

Face to face communication is favoured over formal reporting between the PM and BA

The BA is empowered to own their deliverables

The BA is empowered to make Solution verification and validation decisions

Forging this Relationship

Most effective when initiated by the PM Having a Social Contract (between the PM, BA and every one else on the

team) Trust is critical – PM and BA most accept their counterpart is competent

in their role Work in progress – Accept that it will not be perfect from day 1

(continuous improvement) Having Confidence and Acceptance of your role on the project Rally Car Drivers Example (Driver – PM and Navigator – BA)

Recap

The Traditional PM and BA RelationshipThe Ideal PM and BA RelationshipForging this Relationship

Conclusion – Rally Car Partnership

THANK YOU