PM & BA Lifecycle

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📚 Learning Paths ​

Structured guides for different learning objectives.

Choose Your Learning Path ​

Path 1: Complete Beginner → Junior BA/PM (12 weeks) ​

Goal: Land your first PM or BA role with no prior experience.

Week 1-2: Module 1 - Requirements Engineering

  • Learn the Requirements Pyramid
  • Complete the Gap Analysis exercise
  • Read ReserveEasy BRD

Week 3-4: Module 2 - Agile Execution

  • Write 10 user stories for a product you use daily
  • Estimate with Fibonacci
  • Create a backlog using template

Week 5-6: Module 4 - Data & Analytics

  • Set up PostgreSQL locally
  • Run the schema.sql
  • Practice all 3 SQL queries (funnel, cohort, A/B test)

Week 7-8: Module 7 - Technical Fluency

Week 9-10: Portfolio Creation

  • Pick a product idea (or fork ReserveEasy)
  • Create BRD, user stories, SQL queries
  • Publish to GitHub

Week 11-12: Job Applications

  • Update resume with portfolio link
  • Apply to 20 jobs
  • Practice behavioral interviews

Deliverable: Portfolio with 1 complete case study

Path 2: Career Switcher (Technical Background → PM) (8 weeks) ​

You already know: Engineering, databases, APIs

What you need: Product sense, user research, prioritization

Week 1: Module 3 - Strategy & Analysis

  • Learn competitive analysis frameworks
  • Conduct 5 user interviews

Week 2-3: Module 2 - Agile Execution

  • Master RICE prioritization
  • Build a backlog for your current project

Week 4: Module 1 - Requirements Engineering

  • Write a BRD for a feature you've built
  • Reverse-engineer requirements from code

Week 5-6: Module 4 - Data & Analytics

  • Define North Star Metric for your company's product
  • Create a dashboard showing AARRR funnel

Week 7-8: Portfolio & Applications

  • Document 2-3 features you've shipped
  • Frame them as product case studies

Deliverable: Portfolio showing product thinking, not just engineering

Path 3: Business Background → BA (6 weeks) ​

You already know: Business processes, stakeholder management

What you need: Technical fluency, documentation skills

Week 1-2: Module 1 - Requirements Engineering

  • Master BRD and FSD writing
  • Practice Gap Analysis on your current company

Week 3: Module 7 - Technical Fluency

  • Learn to read API specs
  • Understand database schemas

Week 4: Module 4 - Data & Analytics

  • Learn SQL basics
  • Run the 3 example queries

Week 5: Module 6 - QA

  • Write test cases for a process you own
  • Create UAT plan

Week 6: Portfolio

  • Document a business process improvement project
  • Include BRD, process maps, SQL queries

Deliverable: Portfolio proving technical credibility

Path 4: Self-Study for Certification (CBAP/PMI-PBA) (Flexible) ​

Use this repo to supplement official study guides.

Curriculum Mapping to CBAP:

  • Module 1 → Business Analysis Planning & Monitoring
  • Module 2 → Requirements Life Cycle Management
  • Module 3 → Strategy Analysis
  • Module 4 → Requirements Analysis & Design Definition

Study Approach:

  1. Read official BABOK Guide
  2. Cross-reference concepts with curriculum modules
  3. Practice with ReserveEasy case study
  4. Take practice exams

Path 5: Upskilling for Senior Roles (4 weeks) ​

assumption: You're already a PM/BA, want to level up.

Focus Areas:

  1. Technical Depth - Module 7 (APIs, databases)
  2. Data Fluency - Module 4 (SQL, A/B testing)
  3. Strategic Thinking - Module 3 (Business model analysis)

Weekly Plan:

  • Week 1: Master SQL - run all queries, write 5 of your own
  • Week 2: Learn OpenAPI - document an API at your company
  • Week 3: OKR planning - define OKRs for next quarter
  • Week 4: Portfolio polish - showcase advanced work

Deliverable: Technical portfolio that differentiates you

Learning Tips ​

Active Learning ​

  • ❌ Don't just read - reading retention is <10%
  • ✅ Do the exercises - hands-on retention is >75%

Spaced Repetition ​

  • Review Module 1 concepts before starting Module 3
  • Revisit SQL queries weekly to build muscle memory

Real-World Application ​

  • Apply concepts to your current job immediately
  • Document internal projects using repo templates

Community ​

  • Join PM/BA Slack communities
  • Share your portfolio for feedback
  • Teaching = deepest learning

← Back to Curriculum | Toolkit → | Portfolio Guide →