Some advice needed

[AnthonyQuinn]

Hi
Been contracting for 8 years now but still a bit stumped on this one. Any views appreciated. I know there's no clear answer to this but some of you veterans might have some experience like this.

Am in a contract (Business Analyst) that runs for another 3 months yet and sure (as sure as can possibly be) to be extended beyond.

Been offered a different 4 week stint at a higher role (Solutions Architect) which I am 70% confident I could step up to. Potential extension at the end of 4 weeks.

Would you risk upsetting current client and give notice for the chance to step up to a higher grade and rebrand yourself? Accept the risk that you would fail in the first four weeks and be nowhere as a result.

I must point out that I particularly value my client relationships. Apart from my first ever contract, all my contract work has come through internal recommendations and I never had to go through an agent. I would be risking that by giving notice when I am in the thick of things.

[GB9]

Why do you see being a Solutions Architect as being a step up from a BA? In my experience they both do pretty much the same thing and the top BAs I have worked with have been very well paid (>£1k/day). If you just want more cash then suggest you find a different role as a BA. If you really want to be a Solutions Architect then do it because that's what you want to be.

[RasputinDude]

Personally, I wouldn't dump my current client. I always work to the end of the agreed period as I think that is the professional approach (not calling you unprofessional, just stating my view on what *I* do). Almost all of my clients have at some point invited me back and so I've made more money out of them in the long run than if I had jumped at every higher paid role that is offered.

Others will differ, I'm sure.

[BolshieBastard]

Why do you see being a Solutions Architect as being a step up from a BA? In my experience they both do pretty much the same thing and the top BAs I have worked with have been very well paid (>£1k/day). If you just want more cash then suggest you find a different role as a BA. If you really want to be a Solutions Architect then do it because that's what you want to be.

Pretty much spot on advice there.

[northernladuk]

70% confident wouldn't be enough for me. Your are only as good as your last contract and so you have a 30% chance of not being able to do the role you have been given and then struggle to get back to BA. Ok not struggle but put yourself at a disadvantage.

In my experience most of the BA's I have worked with are no where near architect level. BA is such an awful job title as it covers such a range of particular skills and technologies so can vary wildly but I have not come across a BA on architect money nor seen many advertised gigs at the same. Saying that i have seen architects roles advertised at low BA money so I guess you have to consider the role rather than a generic role comparison.

70% confident would not be enough for me to risk personally but there you go.

[BA to the Stars]

Agree with the earlier answers. Don't burn your bridges with the existing client and why take the risk of a new role especially as it seems that you don't need to.

[AnthonyQuinn]

Agree with the earlier answers. Don't burn your bridges with the existing client and why take the risk of a new role especially as it seems that you don't need to.

cheers. am beginning to agree that this is the best thing to do. Also am not sure if the agent is bluffing and its simply a 4 week role with not much chance of an extension. he says that a longer contract cannot be offered upfront because budgets for 2013-2014 will only be released in March. Anyone hear that before?

[DS23]

why not do both? tell the current client you have another opportunity that you need to manage. ask them if you can be flexible and work 3/2 or 1/4 or whatever. you're in business right?

[GB9]

cheers. am beginning to agree that this is the best thing to do. Also am not sure if the agent is bluffing and its simply a 4 week role with not much chance of an extension. he says that a longer contract cannot be offered upfront because budgets for 2013-2014 will only be released in March. Anyone hear that before?

Yes, it means that there is no guarantee budgets will be released.

Agree with NLUK re: Business Analyst being very generic. Ones who go and look at user interfaces and add an extra field get paid sod all, but those that know how to resolve actuarial process issues get a lot. The higher Architect rates I have seen are usually for Technical Architects will specific knowledge e.g. Oracle applications.

[AnthonyQuinn]

why not do both? tell the current client you have another opportunity that you need to manage. ask them if you can be flexible and work 3/2 or 1/4 or whatever. you're in business right?

is that really a good idea. I know it helps IR35. But in my past experience I have found that you end up doing, say 5 days worth of work, when you are on a 3 day a week assignment. People around you dont seem to appreciate that you are part time and keep setting deadlines as if you are working full time