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10 essential project management roles

Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)Ensuring solutions are feasible, cost-effective, and aligned with business requirements

Core project management roles. Sponsor offer support and guidance. The manager plans and delegates work. Team members complete project tasks.

: Divides project into manageable sections.Business analysts enable informed decision-making, increase process efficiency, and help organisations remain competitive.

Critical Path Method (CPM)Key responsibilities of a business analyst

  • : Identifies sequence of crucial tasks that determine project duration.The
  • Project portfolio managementbusiness analyst
  • : Prioritising, balancing, and overseeing multiple plays a critical role throughout project lifecycles and change initiatives. Their main responsibilities include:
  • projectsRequirements elicitation:
  • aligning with organisational strategy. Facilitating workshops, interviews, and surveys to gather needs from stakeholders
  • Comparing project, programme, product managementRequirements documentation:

Project management Creating clear business and technical requirements using various formats (e.g., : Focuses on delivering a unique, timebound outcome.user storiesProgramme management, use cases)

  • : Oversees a group of related projects aligned to strategic objectives.Gap analysis and feasibility studies:Product management Assessing current and desired future states to highlight improvements and evaluate solution viability
  • : Manages the lifecycle, strategy and development of a product.Stakeholder engagement:Operations management Communicating with diverse stakeholders to ensure requirements are validated and aligned
  • : Manages ongoing processes for continuous delivery of products or services.Process mapping and Best practicesbusiness process modelling
  • PMBOK: ( Visualising workflows for process improvement opportunities
  • Project Management Body of KnowledgeSolution assessment and validation:): Comprehensive global standard for project management processes. Reviewing proposals to ensure solutions address documented

PRINCE2requirements

: Process-based methodology emphasising control and organisation. and deliver value

Best practicesChange management: Align with global standards, stakeholder engagement, clear documentation, regular reviews, and continuous improvement.

Puzzle pieces showing supporting roles: Assistant Project Managers, Coordinators, Administrators, PMO.

  • ,
  • International Diploma in Business Analysis
  • , Practitioner certificates in
  • Requirements Engineering

,

  • Modelling Business Processes
  • , and
  • Business Analysis Practices
  • .

The

International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA)

offers globally recognised certifications, such as ECBA, CCBA, and CBAP, based on the BABOK Guide.

  • Certifications
  • demonstrate expertise in requirements elicitation, stakeholder management, and business analysis best practices. Aspiring business analysts may also pursue project management

FAQsWhat is business analysis?Business analysis is the systematic investigation and evaluation of business needs to recommend solutions that achieve organisational objectives. It includes requirements gathering, stakeholder engagement, and process optimisation.

What does a business analyst do?

Pyramid showing senior roles on top: Directors oversee projects, Senior Managers handle project portfolios.

A business analyst identifies business problems, elicits requirements, engages stakeholders, and ensures that proposed solutions align with business goals. They act as a bridge between business and IT functions.

What are the key techniques in business analysis?Common Certification

, and

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  • Subscribe nowSimon Buehring
  • 20 Mar 2026
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  • Evaluating and reporting on overall portfolio performance. {title} Agile transformation: What should ‘good’ look like (and what to be wary of)?

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Illustration of specialised project management roles: Consultants with gears, Governance Teams with a chart.

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