The pathway
How you actually get there, here
How you become one varies far more by country than what one does. This is the UK route. Most people take one of these ways in; the right one depends on where you're starting from.
- 1
Business Analyst / Process Analyst
2-3 yearsSkills to master
- Requirements gathering, process mapping, data analysis, stakeholder interviewing, documentation standards.
You're ready to move on when
- You've independently led the requirements gathering for at least two medium-sized projects.
- You're known for producing clear, accurate process maps and functional specifications.
- You can confidently present your analysis and recommendations to small groups of business users.
- 2
Junior Project Manager / Project Coordinator
2-4 yearsSkills to master
- Project planning, risk management (basic), stakeholder communication, resource tracking, vendor coordination.
You're ready to move on when
- You've successfully managed all aspects of a small project or a significant workstream within a larger program.
- You're adept at keeping projects on track, managing timelines, and communicating status effectively.
- You've demonstrated an ability to anticipate and mitigate minor project risks.
- 3
IT Consultant (Junior/Mid-Level)
3-5 yearsSkills to master
- System implementation, configuration, user training, technical troubleshooting, understanding software capabilities.
You're ready to move on when
- You've been involved in at least two full-cycle software implementations (e.g., ERP, CRM).
- You can translate business needs into technical requirements and vice-versa.
- You're comfortable training end-users on new software and supporting them post-launch.