Wearing two hats: analyst-managers for small software projects

With the evolution of software development, companies have changed their project methodology and are asking IT employees to evolve with them. The business analyst talks to users, ironing out the details of what they wanted and balancing that wish list against what an IT system could economically or practically deliver. The business analyst also ensures that users develop business processes to support the software. The actual task of writing the software falls to a project manager and his team of software developers. Today, companies commonly ask IT managers to assume the business analyst role in addition to their duties as project manager, especially in small projects. This article discusses how IT managers can successfully navigate the thin line between business analyst and project manager.