Why Product Managers and Business Analysts Don’t Get Along Well?
We spend nearly 1/3rd of our life at work and face several challenges that we cannot always compartmentalize. Difficult product manager, Staying ahead of the curve, and competition for promotion are comsit at workplaces even in a perfect world. However, ball games where employees who have nothing to knuckle about like a Business Analyst and a Product Manager? Crossing swords on petty professional disagreements that snowball into something bigger and complex isn’t atypical either.
So why don’t product managers and business analysts get along well and why is nobody even talking about it? They both have their eyes peeled for risk, they have a similar goal in the organization and a similar job description, yet so much is different. There’s more than a way to skin a cat and often these two professionals pick different tools. Hence the conflict!
Why is a product manager hands down the most important person
If you think of the Product as a procession, the business analyst is part of the fleet going the short, fast and smooth route. Eyes glued on the wind shield! He overcomes potholes, notices any tire spikes on the road and other unprecedented situations on the road. Being the executor, a BA is deep in the proverbial weeds at ground level to ensure a smooth journey.
Now only someone with an aerial view can notice the roadblocks ahead, a fork in the road or a broken bridge that can jeopardize the successful execution of the entire procession.
That is the long pole in the tent, and this is where the Product Manager comes into play plus the short, fast and smooth road the Business Analyst takes is also decided by the product manager. So apart from the groundwork, business analyst also complies with the policies and strategies designed by the product manager and ensure the execution of the plan.
How Product Manager keeps Business Analyst Down on Heels
Business analysts have a lot on their plate; they are accountable for a long list of tasks, and add value to the product at an unfathomed level. They identify risks, make recommendations but the PM who comes with a veto power calls the shots, and makes the final decision. Stealing the thunder of the business analysts, product manager every-once-in-a-while becomes that one person you eventually want to be. Despite staying deep neck at work with a truckload more to handle, business analysts end up with stagnancy. With no shaft of light visible in their career path- until they plan to make a shift towards product management.
Business Analyst Plug Away More Than Product Manager
Business Analysts discover, synthesize, and analyze information at granular levels from different resources. They elicit the demands, desires and delivery solutions for the stakeholders. From streamlining the investment to minimizing cost and maximizing the returns- business analysts present solutions and add value to the product. Other functions incorporate logical decision-making, prioritization, plugging the communication gaps, and facilitating communication.
All that might feel like a condensed experience of what its like to be a Manager of Product. But as a product manager, you will have to go much beyond the analytical approach. Work up your business administration, strategic thinking, elevate your leadership aptitude and practice market focused skills. But if you think that would let you turn over a new leaf, there are technical proficiencies too that you’d need to grab. Be it A/B Testing, Product Lifecycle or Product Analytics- the process comprises baby steps as well as giant leaps to forge your way into a Product role.
Abridging The Gap Towards Product Management
If you want to lead a cross-functional team, own the product roadmap, and guide the product success, equip yourself with the right skillsets. This will give your career the right direction towards progression and establishing a foothold in the industry. We’d be lying if we said it’s going to be easy. The path is full of insurmountable challenges. Establishing a personal brand, learning new skills to increase your value and also getting yourself noticed. All that along with keeping your job? Yes, that could be taxing.
Transitioning from Business Analysis to Product Management
So how to transition from business analysis to product management, you ask? Indeed, there are specialized requirements, and the skill gaps can make a person run amok. But this still is a logical transition! Pick up new skills, ideate a product, read case studies, and take up a product management certification course.
Learn to prepare yourself to look through the correct end of the telescope. May be academically you are qualified for the role. But to run the show like a boss and move the needle for business, the stipulations set by the industry are darn high. You are going to pre-empt the scope and make vital decisions instead of taking directions. Be an enabler instead of a facilitator, earn not only more authority and power, but also advanced salary.
All that and more to be achieved needs military level training and a professional course in product management can be a worthwhile investment for you. So nail those product management skills and bag a rewarding job.
So are you ready to take that leap yet?
Have questions about making this sort of move? Leave your thoughts in the comments below and our senior counsellors will be glad to answer your queries.
