But I still think that due to the BA discipline its just not possible to not become a SME. More often than not, we BAs are in the position to learn more (and in short amount of time) a process that may have taken others years to learn and perform. Our ability to move in and out of analyzing these sometimes unique and complex processes is giving us not only the ability to “hit the ground running” when tackling new initiatives but we add value to any organization that decides to implement a proper project management program. These characteristic alone should be of value to any company trying to implement strategies/objectives.

I tell the business users I support that they should try becoming business analysts, even if only for a year. Its very easy to feel comfortable when you work in “silos”. But many companies are trying to get away from this “silo” structure which means many staff workers will be impacted by this change. When you are a BA there really is no such thing as “silos” or “boundaries” when performing your work. One of them main goals is to ensure the requirements are complete and correct. And our work can get more challenging when you are leading cross-functional and two or three-dimensional types of projects. Its challenging but well worth doing.

My experience as a BA has thought me to always be on the look out for “change”. If you are good at adapting to change then it will be very easy to progress to either a manager or SME; even if you perform the role for only for 2 or 3 years. That time should be long enough to learn the role as needed and then move on to something else. Using that approach then the possibilities are endless.

Lori

It sounds like within your company, the SME path is the main path up and it will open options for you within your company. I know this is true in many companies. It might be worth double-checking, however, whether that SME qualification has market value outside your company — i.e. would someone else hire you for it. Sometimes the best path up within one company locks us into a career path that doesn’t open up new options for us in the wider job market.

Some companies are starting to build progression paths within BA that could also lead to management roles. This might just be another set of options to consider.

Laura

Sorry for such late response, but I finally made it back. I’m studying for the CBAP exam and spending most of my time between studying and work.

In any case, I agree that becoming a SME can be somewhat limiting but I guess it depends where you are in your career and what you would like to do going forward.

I do want to become a SME but its not to limit my options but to expand on my knowledge to allow me room to move my career path as needed at the moment. I may not have the years experience some SME have to support them, but I can prove I have the knowledge and skills to get things done; and the ability to quickly learn new skills and apply them as needed.

Lori, you make a great connection between building PM skills and moving into management. When I interviewed Rick Clare for The Promotable Business Analyst, he made a similar connection and noted how BA lead roles and definitely management roles require many PM skills, so spending some time as a PM can help prepare you for larger management roles.

You can read Rick’s interview here: http://www.bridging-the-gap.com/elevating-the-role-of-the-business-analyst-interview-with-rick-clare/

I’m interested about the progression to SME, however. In my experience becoming an SME is somewhat limiting as the value of those qualifications is limited to a specific organization. Is that the type of role that you mean or are you referring to something else?