BA Brew - A Business Analysis Podcast: Recent Episodes
AssistKD
Our podcast is a chance to tune into our musings on a range of subjects from the use of business analysis tools and techniques to the books we like that are helpful for business change professionals.
Technical skills are only part of becoming a successful Business Analyst.
Learning how to communicate with confidence, influence stakeholders and ask the right questions is what helps great Business Analysts stand out.
Jonathan Hunsley is joined by Emily Saunderson, Head of Profession for Business Analysis at the Department for Education, and Dr Carlos Pullen-Ferreira, Principal Consultant at AssistKD, to discuss how Business Analysts can find their voice, build confidence and increase their influence.
Whether you're new to Business Analysis or an experienced Business Analyst, this discussion explores practical ways to increase your influence, develop professional confidence and grow your Business Analysis career.
In this BA Brew episode:
- What it means to find your Business Analysis voice
- Building confidence as a Business Analyst
- Speaking up in stakeholder workshops and stakeholder meetings
- Influencing business decisions
- Becoming a trusted adviser
- Business Analysis leadership
- Mentoring and coaching
- Networking for Business Analysts
- Developing your Business Analysis career
- Helping the next generation of Business Analysts
Emily also shares the remarkable story of being told she would never become a successful Business Analyst before eventually leading the business analysis profession at the Department for Education.
LEARN MORE
- BCS International Diploma in Business Analysis Courses
- BCS Advanced International Diploma in Business Analysis Courses:
- Business Analysis Career Guide
- BA Brew Podcast Hub
- Business Analysis Conference Europe
Service frameworks are a powerful yet often overlooked tool that can fundamentally change how teams understand, collaborate, and achieve outcomes.
In this episode of BA Brew, Jonathan Hunsley from AssistKD is joined by Chris Pyatt and Victoria Banner to discuss how service frameworks help business analysts, business architects and service designers clarify their value, improve collaboration and navigate complex organisational change ecosystems.
The discussion covers:
- What a service framework actually is – and how it defines the value a role delivers
- Why business analysis, architecture and service design overlap more than we think
- How frameworks create clarity on roles, responsibilities and boundaries
- The role they play in reducing confusion, conflict and duplication across teams
- How they support career growth, capability building and even recruitment decisions
- Practical advice on getting started – and why you don’t need to build everything at once
Whether you are a business analyst, business architect, service designer or other digital change professional, this episode offers practical advice for improving conversations and outcomes.
EXPLORE ASSISTKD TRAINING
AssistKD offers Business Analysis and Service Design training online, in person and through eLearning, with over 30 years' experience in professional development.
Relevant courses for this episode:
- BCS Business Analysis Practice - https://www.assistkd.com/courses/business-analysis-diploma-courses/bcs-certificate-business-analysis-practice
- BCS Business Architecture - https://www.assistkd.com/courses/architecture-courses/bcs-certificate-business-architecture
- A4Q Business Service Design - https://www.assistkd.com/courses/service-design-courses/a4q-certificate-business-service-design
WATCH THIS EPISODE
Watch all episodes of the BA Brew on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxdeXIxtEOU&list=PLEvIolukjrawamafeBkNM3pELcNqVrPN6
Once you learn business analysis skills, do they ever really switch off?
In this episode of BA Brew, Mike, Ruth, Kerry and Stu discuss how BA thinking becomes embedded into everyday life - shaping how we solve problems, make decisions and interact with others.
The discussion covers:
- Why BA skills naturally carry over into everyday situations
- Real-life examples of using BA thinking outside of work
- When analysis and problem-solving can be unhelpful
- The risk of “analysis paralysis”
- How to recognise when to switch off BA mode
- Techniques like circles of control, root cause thinking and options analysis in daily life
- The importance of empathy, presence and reading the room
Whether you're a business analyst, change professional or team leader, this episode offers practical insights into balancing analytical thinking with real-world human situations.
EXPLORE ASSISTKD TRAINING
AssistKD offers Business Analysis and Service Design training online, in person and through eLearning, with over 30 years' experience in professional development.
Relevant courses for this episode:
- BCS Certificate in Business Analysis Practice
- BCS Foundation Certificate in Business Analysis
- BCS Certificate in Modelling Business Processes
Eexplore AssistKD's full range of Business Analysis training courses here: https://www.assistkd.com/our-business-training-courses-classes
Informal networks are one of the most powerful – and often overlooked - forces in organisations. For Business Analysts, understanding how information really flows can make the difference between struggling with change and successfully influencing it.
In this episode of BA Brew, Jonathan Hunsley is joined by Michelle, Fiona and Carlos to explore the role of gossip and informal networks in the workplace – and how they impact organisational change.
The discussion covers:
- What “gossip” actually means in a workplace context
- Why informal networks exist and how they create psychological safety during change
- The difference between formal communications and how information really spreads
- How informal networks can support better stakeholder engagement and change outcomes
- The risks of negative gossip, politics and organisational culture
- How Business Analysts can use informal networks to sense-check, influence and support change
Whether you are a Business Analyst, change professional, service designer or team leader, this episode provides practical insights into the human side of organisations – and how to work with it, not against it.
EXPLORE ASSISTKD TRAINING
AssistKD offers Business Analysis and Service Design training online, in person and through eLearning, with over 30 years’ experience in professional development.
Relevant courses for this episode:
- BCS Stakeholder Engagement
- BCS Digital Business Change
- BCS Benefits Management and Business Acceptance
- BCS Modelling Business Processes
Explore AssistKD's Business Analysis full range of training courses here: https://www.assistkd.com/our-business-training-courses-classes
Active listening is one of the most valuable skills a Business Analyst can develop — and one of the easiest to get wrong.
In this episode of BA Brew, Jonathan Hunsley from AssistKD is joined by Craig Rollason and Corrine Thomas to discuss how active listening helps business analysts build trust, improve stakeholder conversations and gather better requirements.
The discussion covers:
- What active listening really means for business analysts
- Why listening is central to effective stakeholder engagement
- Common unhelpful listening behaviours and how to avoid them
- How to prepare yourself to listen properly
- The value of summarising, silence and open questions
- How teams can practise and improve their listening skills together
Whether you are a business analyst, service designer, change professional or team leader, this episode offers practical advice for improving conversations and outcomes.
EXPLORE ASSISTKD TRAINING: AssistKD offers Business Analysis and Service Design training online, in person and through eLearning, with over 30 years' experience in professional development.
Relevant courses for this episode:
- BCS Stakeholder Engagement
- BCS Requirements Engineering
- BCS Advanced Requirements Engineering
- BCS Business Analysis Practice
LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE: Find BA Brew on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and all major platforms.
What’s it really like starting out as a Business Analyst - and how do you avoid feeling isolated, overwhelmed or “behind” in your early career? In this episode of The BA Brew, Mike is joined by Joe and Jo from the Young Business Analysts (YBA) - a fast‑growing, volunteer‑led community designed to support Business Analysts aged 35 and under.
They discuss:
- Why YBA was created and the gap it set out to fill
- How safe spaces help early‑career BAs ask the questions they’re afraid to ask at work
- The impact of volunteering on confidence, networking and public speaking
- How YBA has grown into a 2,500+ strong community across online and in‑person events
- Why experienced practitioners still have an important role to play
From first‑job nerves to conference speaking, this is an honest conversation about growth, connection, and building a career in Business Analysis - without doing it alone.
FURTHER RESOURCES
YBA
- YBA Website
- YBA LinkedIn
BA Brews
- BA Brew 9: Young BA Special
- BA Brew 77: How to start your BA Career
- BA Brew 88: BA Apprentice of the Year
Articles
- The Young Business Analysts: How It All Began
- Where are They Now? Business Analyst Apprentices
What does it really mean to be a “professional” Business Analyst? In this episode of BA Brew, Kerry is joined by Laurens and Lisa to explore professionalism in business analysis – from preparation and mindset to qualifications, growth, and career progression.
They discuss:
- What professionalism means in a BA context
- Their journeys through the BCS International & Advanced Diplomas
- Achieving CITP status
- The path to becoming an Expert BA
- Practical advice for BAs looking to advance their careers
If you're considering the BCS Advanced Diploma, CITP, or the Expert BA route, this conversation is packed with insights from real practitioners who’ve been there.
FURTHER RESOURCES
BA Brews
- How to Become a Business Analysis Professional
- Transferable Skills
- Communities of Practice
- Self-Assessment and Development Tools
- I’m a Business Analyst — How Did That Happen?
Articles
- No Limits to Learning
- Elevating the BA Voice
- Skill Development of the Business Analysis Practice
- From Junior BA to BA Manager: A Business Analysis Journey
Qualifications
- BCS International Diploma in Business Analysis
- BCS Advanced International Diploma in Business Analysis
- Chartered IT Professional (CITP)
- The Expert BA Award
Being part of a Community of Practice allows BAs to share knowledge and best practice, mentor or be mentored, and have a clear understanding of their role and responsibilities. But some of the benefits are less tangible.
In this lively chat, Anthony Thompson and Mark Thompson of Close Brothers discuss the value of Communities of Practice with the Brew Crew.
Anthony Thompson and Mark Thompson are both Lead BAs at Close Brothers.
FURTHER RESOURCES
BA BREWS
- BA Brew 29: The Invisible BA
- BA Brew 35: The BA Service Framework
ARTICLES
- Ten Reasons to Establish a Centralised Community of Practice
- Ten Top Tips on Building a Community of Practice
- Running a Centralised Business Analysis Community of Practice: The Top 10 Financial Benefits
- Keeping a Community of Practice Alive and Kicking
COURSES
- BCS Certificate in Team Leadership
In this informative BA Brew Adam Pearson talks to the Crew about why BAs need to develop an accessibility mindset and how he, as a registered blind person, has used his BA skills to help to make it easier to both generate and consume accessible content.
Topics discussed: why accessibility must be considered from the start of every project; useful tools for generating accessible content and for consuming content; the difference between usability and accessibility; how AI tools can support accessibility; why making mistakes and learning means you are doing it right; and more.
As Adam says: “The more we all do as a collective, the fewer barriers there are into this fantastic field of work.”
Adam Pearson is now a Business Analyst at The RNIB.
FURTHER RESOURCES
BA BREWS
- BA Brew 20: Resilience (feat. Corrine Thomas)
- BA Brew 27: The BA Apprenticeship
ARTICLES
- Resilience Resources
- Strengths Spotting - Achieve your goals by leveraging your strengths
- AssistKD’s Business Analyst (Level 4) Apprenticeship Scheme
- AssistKD BA Career Planner Tool
- 10 Top Tips for Entering the Business Analysis Profession
Helen Holder developed an idea to help her children talk about their fears during lockdown – and it proved to be highly effective. Now Helen is using the same powerful visualisation technique to help business change professionals name, and tame, their self-limiting beliefs.
In this mindset-challenging BA Brew, Helen and the Brew Crew discuss common 'Mental Monsters’ and share some practical strategies for challenging them.
See the resource list below for a link to Fiona Kiss’s ‘Problem Solving Duck’ article.
Helen Holder is Head of Business Analysis at RICS. She is also a volunteer with IIBA and YBA.
FURTHER RESOURCES
BA BREWS
BA Brew 20: Resilience (feat. Corrine Thomas)
BA Brew 30: Confidence (feat. Philippa Thomas)
BA Brew 45: Developing Positive Habits and Behaviours
ARTICLES
Mental Monsters: Name and Tame Your Limiting Beliefs
Resilience Resources
Strengths Spotting - Achieve your goals by leveraging your strengths
StrengthsFinder 2.0
Foster a Growth Mindset with Mindset Advantage
The Problem Solving Duck
COURSES
Introduction to NLP Workshop
If you have relevant transferable skills, it is possible to change careers at any time of life. In this thought-provoking episode, Lisa Croft of Herd Consulting and AssistKD’s Amanda Christianson talk about transferable skills with host Jonathan Hunsley.
Relevant skills discussed include: stakeholder engagement; customer service; teamwork; data analysis; problem-solving; taking a holistic view; and documentation.
RESOURCES
CAREER PLANNING
- AssistKD Career Planing Tools
COURSES
- One Day Careers Workshop
ARTICLES
- What I Wish I had Known When I Started my Business Analyst Career
- 10 Top Tips for Entering the Business Analysis Profession
BA BREWS
- BA Brew 77: How to start your BA Career (Feat. Timothy Clark & Michelle Shakesheff)
Updating your skills toolkit? AssistKD offers a wide choice of business training courses.
Assist’s Learning Zone is packed with free learning resources, with new and topical content added regularly. Discover the latest BA Brew podcasts, articles, blogs, short learning videos and more.
If you’ve ever considered applying for the Business Analyst of the Year Award, this BA Brew special is for you. Current BA of the Year Mark Cross and 2024 winner Kay Hardy discuss what inspired them to apply, and some of the unexpected benefits of taking part.
FURTHER RESOURCES
- Visit our BA of the Year page
- Assist’s Learning Zone is packed with free learning resources, with new and topical content added regularly. Discover the latest BA Brew podcasts, articles, blogs, short learning videos and more.
- AssistKD BA Career Planner Tool
- Webinar: What it Takes to be BA of the Year
ARTICLES
- BA of the Year: 10 Top Tips for Applying
- Mark Cross Winner’s Interview
- Kay Hardy Winner’s Interview
- Pip Hall Winner’s Interview
BA BREWS
- BA Brew 20: Resilience
- BA Brew 68: Stepping Beyond the BA Toolbox
- BA Brew 80: Bravery in Business Analysis
In this stressbusting BA Brew, special guest and yoga teacher Jennie Macdonald talks to the Brew Crew about how yoga, mindfulness, and something as simple as a breathing technique can foster balance, calm and resilience in your work and home life.
Jennie and Ruth recommend the following online Yoga and Mindfulness resources:
- Yoga with Adriene is a particularly good entry point – well worth subscribing to on YouTube. This includes movement and breathing exercises, and she has multiple 30 day courses where the daily sessions are about 20 minutes long: Yoga With Adriene - YouTube
- The Mindful app is a great one for walking meditations – it isn’t free but it’s well worth the subscription: A Guided Walking Meditation for Daily Life - Mindful
- Nalanie Chellaram is a great teacher if people want to get into yoga in its broader sense: Nalanie Chellaram - YouTube
FURTHER RESOURCES
BA BREWS
- BA Brew 20: Resilience (feat. Corrine Thomas)
- BA Brew 30: Confidence (feat. Philippa Thomas)
- BA Brew 45: Developing Positive Habits and Behaviours
ARTICLES
- Resilience Resources
- Strengths Spotting - Achieve your goals by leveraging your strengths
- BOOK REVIEW: Begin with You by Petra Velzeboer
- Wellbeing in Times of Change By Petra Velzeboer
Bad service appears to be on the increase… why? Could it be because organisations are forgetting about the needs of the customer or are not sufficiently involving BAs, Service Designers or Business Architects?
Debra Paul, Jonathan Hunsley and Mike Williams share a few ‘tales of woe’ and discuss some of their favourite trouble-shooting tools and techniques.
Techniques discussed include scenario analysis; business continuity; the ‘Zone of Tolerance’; exploring the voice of the customer; and the POPIT™ technique.
FURTHER RESOURCES
BOOKS
- ‘Business Architecture: A Comprehensive Guide’ by Jonathan Hunsley and Debra Paul, is available from the BCS Bookshop.
- Business Analysis: 123 Essential Tools for Success by James Cadle, Debra Paul, Jonathan Hunsley, Adrian Reed, David Beckham and Paul Turner.
- Coming in 2026 and available for preorder: Service Design: A practical guide to creating customer centric services by Debra Paul and Jonathan Hunsley
ARTICLES
- The Rise of the CX Professional | Assist Knowledge Development
- Putting the Service into Service Design | Assist Knowledge Development
COURSES
- Visit the Free Learning section of Assist’s Learning Zone for a choice of free short courses – with a course dedicated to POPIT™️.
- AssistKD offers a wide choice of business training.
BA BREWS
- Customer Experience Analysis
- Business Service Architecture
- Business Service Design
- The BA Tools and Techniques Launch Chat
Could BAs be the new digital solutions superheroes? This week’s BA Brew, which features special guest Catherine Plumridge, looks at how the skills of BAs plug into digital solutions across every element of the BA Service Framework.
Questions addressed in the chat include:
- Could the BA role in the future embrace the development of digital solutions, using no-code platforms and AI?
- How does using the POPIT™️ framework enhance digital solutions?
- In what ways will the BA role evolve?
Catherine Plumridge is a BA Leader at Kensington Mortgages and was a key early reviewer of the new BCS Digital Solutions series written by Pete Thompson.
Stuart Mullinger and Fiona Kiss worked with Pete Thompson on designing and developing AssistKD’s new BCS Foundation Certificate in Digital Solution Development course.
FURTHER RESOURCES
BOOKS
- Defining Digital Solutions
- Designing Digital Solutions
- Delivering Digital Solutions
ARTICLES
- AI and the Business Analysis Role
COURSES
- Solution Development Courses
DIPLOMAS
- The BCS International Diploma in Solution Development
BA BREWS
- The AI Brew
- BA Brew 102: Trilogy Pete: The Digital Solutions Series | Assist Knowledge Development
In this music-themed BA Brew, three piano-playing business analysts identify and draw parallels between business analysis and music, highlighting interesting similarities and connections.
Claire Chaundy compares mentoring in music and in business analysis. AssistKD’s Stuart Mullinger discusses BA tools and techniques and the musical standards. And Dominic Ready (who also performs the intro and outro) finds some surprising common ground between performing live and the POPIT™ technique.
FURTHER RESOURCES
BA Brews
- BA Brew 33: BA Skills and How to Develop Them
- BA Brew 104: Why BA Techniques are Useful
Books
- Business Analysis Techniques: 123 Essential Tools for Success
Courses
- BCS Foundation Certificate in Business Analysis
Free Courses and Videos
- Check out the free Bitesize Learning Videos in our Learning Zone
- Top up your BA skills with free courses, in the ‘Free Learning’ section of our Learning Zone
In this week’s BA Brew, Kerry Adams chats to avid beekeepers Mike Williams and Mick Brian about what business analysts can learn from the organisation of a beehive – including how the bees communicate, make decisions, and allocate their resources.
Interesting facts include the many different jobs of the worker bees (they don’t just collect pollen) and the intricacies of the ‘waggle dance’.
FURTHER RESOURCES
BA Brews
- BA Brew 33: BA Skills and How to Develop Them
Book
- Business Analysis Techniques: 123 Essential Tools for Success
Articles
- AI Alchemy: Turning Change into Gold]
Courses
- BCS Foundation Certificate in Business Analysis
Free Courses and Learning Videos
- Check out the free Bitesize Learning Videos in our Learning Zone
- Top up your BA skills with free courses, in the ‘Free Resources’ section of our Learning Zone
Ready for some BA toolbox inspiration? This BA Brew is all about business analysis techniques, and how to apply them.
Podcast guest Carlos Pullen-Ferreira waxes lyrical about the Requirements Traceability Matrix and User Stories; Debbie sings the praises of Data Models, the CRUD Matrix and a good Value Stream Diagram; and finally Jonathan puts a word in for GAP Analysis and can’t resist talking (or is it ranting?) about RACI.
Other techniques mentioned include: Swimlane Diagrams; SWOT Analysis; PESTLE Analysis; Use Case Diagrams and Context Diagrams; BPMN and UML; Capability Models; POPIT; Customer Journey Maps; Cost Benefit Analysis and VMOST.
Carlos Pullen-Ferriera is a highly experienced BA and Head of Change Management, Agile coach, author and conference speaker.
FURTHER RESOURCES
BA BREWS
- BA Brew 2: The RACI Rant
- BA Brew 19: The BA Tools and Techniques Launch Chat
- BA Brew 33: BA Skills and How to Develop Them
BOOKS
- Business Analysis Techniques: 123 Essential Tools for Success
ARTICLES
- Time For a Skills Stocktake? Customise your Toolkit with the BA Techniques Triage
COURSES
- BCS Foundation Certificate in Business Analysis
FREE VIDEOS
- Check out the Free Bitesize Learning Videos in our Learning Zone
FREE COURSES
- The POPIT™ Model
- Introduction to BPMN 2.0
According to Simon Platt, every one of us, regardless of our age, job, title or background, has it within us to inspire others – even if we don’t always realise it.
Simon lived in the same village as Sir Captain Tom Moore, and observed close at hand how a simple idea lifted the nation’s spirits in lockdown and raised £39 million for NHS charities. In this uplifting BA Brew, Simon talks to the Crew about the skills, traits and beliefs that can help us inspire ourselves and others in the BA community and beyond.
The Brew crew are also joined by Simon's colleague Charlotte Neill who is running a workshop with Simon at the IRMUK BA Conference 2025. They are hoping that by BA’s sharing their stories in the workshop, others might see themselves in them or realise they’ve been inspiring people all along without even knowing it.
Topics touched upon include:
- What comes first, motivation or inspiration
- Practical steps to inspire yourself and others
- The lasting impact of role modelling and ‘paying forward
- Tangible actions we can all take in our day to day lives.
Simon Platt is Principal Business Analyst at Whitbread, a Neuroinclusivity Advocate, public speaker and podcast host. Simon was a BA of the Year Finalist in 2023.
Further Resources
Articles
- Work-life Balance: Creating a Career and a Life you Love
- Neurodiversity: The BAs Survival Guide
- Book review: Begin with You by Petra Velzeboer
- Wellbeing in Times of Change
Courses
- Introduction to NLP One Day Workshop
BA Brews
- BA Brew 49: Mental Health
- BA Brew 54: Neurodiversity
AssistKD’s Product Strategy Director Pete Thompson is the author of the new BCS Digital Solutions series. In this BA Brew Pete, explains how he saw the need for an up to date, comprehensive body of knowledge for business and IT professionals, and talks about the process of writing the three books – Defining Digital Solutions, Designing Digital Solutions and Delivering Digital Solutions.
Topics discussed include:
- The advantage of publishing the body of knowledge as a trilogy, including a book devoted to ‘delivery'; methodologies, techniques and practices covered in the books;
- The many tools and techniques in the digital change toolbox, and how they work in different contexts;
- Applying the POPIT model for a holistic view’;
- Business solutions to business problems vs. technical solutions to technical problems.
The Digital Solutions series is a useful reference for business and IT professionals, and those studying for the BCS International Diploma in Solution Development.
FURTHER RESOURCES
BOOKS
- Defining Digital Solutions
- Designing Digital Solutions
- Delivering Digital Solutions
ARTICLES
- AI and the Business Analysis Role
COURSES
- Solution Development Courses
DIPLOMAS
- BCS International Diploma in Solution Development
BA BREWS
- BA Brew 63: The AI Brew (Hosted by ChatGPT)
hat is Business Service Architecture, and why is it important to business change professionals? In this BA Brew, Debra Paul and Jonathan Hunsley, authors of Business Architecture: A Comprehensive Guide, answer these question, and more. All too often, services and products just don’t work, resulting in poor outcomes for customers and other stakeholders. Business Service Architecture takes an ecosystem view, looking at how the architecture of a product or service can be better designed.
Topics discussed in this BA Brew include:
- How end-to-end thinking and taking customer feedback on board helps to eliminate ‘pain points’
- How collaboration feeds into continuous improvement
- Why getting it right matters, and the challenges and opportunities involved
The brew also explores:
- Ecosystems, building blocks and capabilities of the service architecture
- Business service architecture techniques (including value streams; SIPOC; business activity models; service blueprints and the CALM framework).
If you liked this BA Brew, you may be interested in the following:
- This article compares the Business Analysis and Business Architecture roles, in particular their respective Service Frameworks.
- Find out more about AssistKD’s Business Service Architecture course here.
- Find out more about AssistKD’s Architecture courses here:
- This BA Brew on Strategy and Business Architecture features Vicky Rothwell, a contributing author to Business Architecture: A Comprehensive Guide:.
- Scroll through our bitesize learning videos and you will find ‘What is Business Architecture’ and ‘What is Enterprise Architecture’:
- This BA Brew focuses on ‘Business Architecture: a comprehensive guide’:
- Business Architecture: a comprehensive guide is available from the BCS book shop, and also on Amazon.
For the 100th Brew we decided to do something completely different. Fabricio Laguna joins the Crew for an in real time SWOT analysis of the BA profession – captured heroically by Jonathan on Mural – and available to download as a PDF here.
Watch out for when everyone shares the one thing they would do to take the profession forward… (did anyone say ‘Empress of Business Analysis’?)
Fabricio Laguna is a highly experienced BA, Business Consultant, and international speaker. He is the former President of IIBA Brazil Chapter and is currently Senior Adviser to the IIBA CEO.
If you liked this BA Brew, you may be interested in the following:
The SWOT Analysis is covered in AssistKD’s Business Analysis Practice course and you can find a succinct description of the technique among our Free Bitesize Learning Videos
Watch this BA Blog on The BA Mindset, featuring Fabricio Laguna and Christina Lovelock.
This BA Blog is about Imposter Syndrome in the BA profession: BA Blog: Confidence and Complacency in Business Analysis
AssistKD BA Career Planner Tool
Everyone who watches this leadership focused BA Brew with Byron Morrison can think of someone they’d like to share it with. It’s packed with nuggets of wisdom from the author of ‘The Effective CEO 2.0’, including…
At 2’ 41 – how to deal with overwhelm
At 7’ 19 – moving from ‘doing’ to ‘leading’
At 14’ 01 – are you setting your team up for success… or failure?
At 20’ 37 – what is your ‘Zone of Genius’?
At 21’ 49 – why ‘Push’ and ‘Pull’ days help you avoid burnout
At 27’ 23 – how to empower (and trust) your team
At ️31’08 - how to become an effective leader
And there’s so much more. Byron and the Crew discuss what a ‘Not to Do’ list is; why a team of all ‘A’ players would not work; and Philippa Roll warns against dealing with work emails from Everest base camp!
Byron Morrison is a speaker, author and management and leadership coach with a special interest in supporting first time CEOs. He is the author of several books including ‘Think Like a CEO’ and ‘The Effective CEO 2.0’, available from Amazon and other outlets.
If you liked this BA Brew, you may also enjoy the following:
BA Brew
BA Brew 51: Think Like A CEO (feat. Byron Morrison)
Articles
BOOK REVIEW: Think Like a CEO by Byron Morrison
Inclusive Leadership: The Secret of High Performing Teams
Courses
Team Leadership Training Courses | Business Analysis
Free Learning
Free eLearning course – Effective Leadership: FREE Courses | Assist Knowledge Development
businessanalyst #servicedesign #CEO #businessleadership #teamleadership #inclusiveleadership #effectiveCEO #thinklikeaCEO
BA Brew guest Danny Kalkhoven warns against sticking too strictly to business models (such as the BA Service Framework) and recommends adapting them to context.
Jonathan is impressed by Danny’s inspired analogy – applying a business model without context is like turning up at a building site with a shiny new drill and asking where you can use it.
Danny quotes British Statistician George E.P. Box: ‘All models are wrong, but some are useful’.
And Debbie gets straight to the point with: ‘Always switch your brain on’!
Danny Kalkhoven is a business analyst, consultant and business analysis trainer who lives in the Netherlands. His forthcoming talk at BA Conference Europe 2025 ‘Mind the Gap’ addresses the inevitable gap between business models and real-world business challenges.
If you liked this BA Brew, you may also enjoy the following:
BA Brew
BA Brew 35: The BA Service Framework
Article
Creating a Business Analysis Service Definition
Introducing the BA Service Framework: FREE Course
businessanalyst #businessmodels #businessanalysis #BASF #BAServiceFramework #changemanagement #businesstools
What AI tools do you use as a BA? Business change consultant Mick Brian is an early adopter and expert on the subject. In this thought-provoking BA Brew, he discusses the challenges and rewards of introducing an LLM (Large Language Model) into a large organisation.
Topics covered include: why the input of BAs is essential when introducing AI tools; the intangible benefits of LLMs; why you need to prompt AI to your level of expertise; the government’s ‘AI Playbook’ and more.
As promised in the BA Brew, Mick Brian has shared these useful links for BAs with an interest in using AI tools.
AI Playbook for the UK Government
The Leader in Agentic Process Automation System | Automation Anywhere
Lucidchart | Diagramming Powered By Intelligence
Process Intelligence and Process Mining | Celonis
Rory Sutherland Podcast
Mick also recommended the book ‘Alchemy’ by Rory Sutherland.
If you liked this BA Brew, you may also enjoy the following articles and blogs:
AI Alchemy: Turning Change into Gold - based on the presentation by Mick Brian and Will Izzard at the Business Change and Transformation Conference Europe 2024.
BOOK REVIEW: Hello World by Hannah Fry
AI and the Business Analysis Role
The following BA Brews may be of interest:
BA Brew 63: The AI BA Brew (Hosted by Chat GPT)
BA Brew 75: Business Analysis and AI (Feat. John Wisner)
BA Brew 81: The Benefits, Risks and Opportunities of AI in Business Analysis (Feat. Donald Farmer)
Have you ever wrestled with a box of tangled cables and leads… or tried to get the knot out of the chain of a necklace? Some business change problems can be as challenging. Change expert and BA leader Karen Newnham joins the crew to discuss engaging with stakeholders to tackle complex, persistent problems (otherwise known as ‘Mischief Management’.)
Karen Newnham was also the special guest on BA Brew 25: The Solution Standoff.
If you liked this BA Brew, you may also enjoy the following articles and blogs:
The Problem Solving Duck
Stakeholder Engagement: Beware of ‘Nodding Along’ Syndrome
You’re Speaking, But Are You Being Understood?
Process Woes
The following BA Brews may be of interest: BA Brew 26 on Stakeholders and BA Brew 76 on The Human Element.
businessanalyst #stakeholdermanagement #businessanalysis #solutions #changemanagement #stakeholders #businessproblems
What’s all the fuss about cybersecurity? And why do business analysts need to understand it? Cybersecurity and business analysis expert Bindu Channaveerappa is the special guest on this week’s BA Brew, where she argues that an understanding of cybersecurity is now integral to the work of the BA.
“When we create the value, why leave the security to someone else?”
Bindu Channaveerappa is a highly respected author, trainer and international speaker on business analysis and cyber security. Her book, ‘Cyber Security and Business Analysis: An essential guide to secure and robust systems’ is available from BCS Publishing.
AssistKD runs a 1-Day Cybersecurity and Business Analysis workshop for Business Analysts and Business Change professionals.
In this article Embracing a Security Mindset: The Next Frontier of Business Analysis cybersecurity expert Mark Cross urges BAs to focus on security against cyber threats.
You may also enjoy this AI focused BA Brew, hosted by ChatGPT.
cybersecurity #cyberthreats #businessanalysis #businesschange #digitalsolutions
This BA Brew focuses on the newly published ‘Business Architecture: a comprehensive guide.’
Authors Jonathan Hunsley and Debra Paul and contributing author Victoria Banner discuss the ‘why’ of the book; the joy of collaborating and sharing ideas; and some of their favourite content including:
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leveraging capability to meet goals and outcomes using the CALM model
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comparing the business architecture service framework to the business analysis service framework and other service frameworks for role clarity
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information concepts including data protection and security
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case studies showing the positive impact of business architecture
‘Business Architecture: a comprehensive guide’ is available from BCS publishing and other retailers.
You may be interested in the following articles, BA Brews and bitesize learning on the topic of Business Architecture.
This article compares the Business Analysis and Business Architecture roles, in particular their respective Service Frameworks.
Find out more about AssistKD’s Architecture courses.
This BA Brew on Business Architecture features Wouter Nieuwenburg.
This BA Brew on Strategy and Business Architecture features Vicky Rothwell.
Business Architecture: a comprehensive guide is available from the BCS book shop, and also on Amazon.
Scroll through our bitesize learning videos and you will find ‘What is Business Architecture’ and ‘What is Enterprise Architecture’.
businessarchitecture #businessanalysis #businessarchitectureguide #businessbooks #businessstrategy #businessarchitecturetraining #whatisbusinessarchitecture
Difficult stakeholders or colleagues? Help is at hand! How we (and others) react in response to challenging situations at work – especially where there is resistance to change – is explained by the Transactional Analysis model.
This week’s special guest, and an expert on #transactionalanalysis, is Leadership Development Consultant and MD Mandy Green.
Watch the Brew to find out more about the ego states of (Critical) Parent, Adult and (Fractious) Child and how insight into those states can help us break free of the ‘Drama Triangle.’
You may be interested in the following BA Brews,
BA Brew 20: Resilience (feat. Corrine Thomas)
BA Brew 30: Confidence (feat. Philippa Thomas)
BA Brew 36: If You Don't Do Politics, Politics Will Do You (feat. Niven Postma)
BA Brew 45: Developing Positive Habits and Behaviours
BA Brew 49: Mental Health (feat. Petra Velzeboer)
BA Brew 52: Books that Changed the Way We Work
BA Brew 54: Neurodiversity (feat. Simon Platt)
BA Brew 69: Self Assessment and Development Tools (feat. Corrine Thomas)
BA Brew 71: Neurodiversity: The BA Survival Guide (feat. Nicola Pinkney & Paul Haywood)
BA Brew 86: Psychological Safety (feat. Emma Lee)
BA Brew 89: Character Crafting (feat. Helen Holder)
In AssistKD’s latest Business Analysis podcast the team discuss why every touchpoint of the customer journey matters... and how a deeper understanding of the customer experience can only benefit organisations and the wider economy.
Kerry, Mike and Jonathan get some serious mileage out of a restaurant analogy and Mike gets extra brownie points for mentioning POPIT™️within the first two minutes of the podcast.
Topics covered include: what is the customer experience; the difference between CX and UX (User Experience) and which elements of POPIT™️relate to each; plus useful techniques such as empathy maps, customer journey mapping and Jonathan’s favourite – the Zone of Tolerance.
AssistKD's CX Analysis course takes and in-depth look at the customer experience, and how an organisation can transform its existing processes to create engaged, responsive and connected customer experiences. It’s ideal if you want to deepen your understanding of CX, and the module counts towards the new A4Q Service Designer qualification. CX Analysis is now also available as an eLearning course.
You may be interested in this article by Debra Paul. The Rise of the CX Professional.
You can find out more about AssistKD’s Service Design courses here:
https://www.assistkd.com/courses/service-design-courses
Enjoy bitesize learning? Watch our short learning videos here:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEvIolukjraxfTJfMou8axtos6ec_0z2s
CX #CXanalysis #voiceofthecustomer #surveys #interviews #storytelling #focusgroups #observation #ethnographicstudies #empathymaps #customerjourneymaps #customerjourney #servicedesign #servicedesigner #customerexperience #businessanalysispodcast
Are you a Business Analyst considering your next career move? Our latest BA Brew considers an academic route for BAs and how a Master of Business Administration (MBA) postgraduate degree could revitalise your career.
AssistKD’s Debbie Paul and Lisa Hudson are joined by IIBA UK Director and Transformation Consultant at Burendo Christina Tan to talk about their respective MBA journeys.
They discuss the rationale for studying towards an MBA, the different business subjects typically covered, learning methods, time management, challenges, valuable takeaways and networking opportunities.
If you enjoy this BA Brew, the following podcast may also be of interest: BA Brew 17 - The Love of Learning (Feat. Sam Merrick)
businessanalysis #businessanalyst #mba #mbalife #masterofbusinessadministration
In AssistKD’s 2024 BA Brew Christmas message the Crew discuss what they are most looking forward to about Christmas and share some very cheesy jokes. Lisa and Kerry are excited about Christmas Day; Mike (or is it Santa?) is going to parkrun, Pete does not need any more socks, and Jo is looking forward to playing Cards Against Humanity with her 90-year-old Grandad! #merrychristmas #BABrew #businessanalysis #businessanalyst #servicedesign #businesschange
Do we need a rebrand of the business analyst role? Experts in the field Debra Paul, Jamie Toyne and Michelle Shakesheff put their heads together to discuss the current BA market, and the ongoing implications for BAs.
Topic discussed include: the current demand for BAs; recruitment challenges; the need for a broad BA skillset; rebranding the BA role; changing the narrative; role clarity; the need for BAs to keep learning; and more!
If you enjoyed this BA Brew, you may find the following resources of interest.
ARTICLES
Filling the Business Analysis Skills Gap
BA Recruitment and Retention: A Multi-Faceted Approach
BA BREWS
Bravery in Business Analysis
BA Skills and How to Develop Them
businessanalysis #userstories #requirements #BA #BArecruitment #businessanalyst #theBAmarket
Have you heard of Character Crafting and how it can be used to build resilience and leadership skills? In this enlightening chat our special guest, Helen Holder, discusses the positive character traits and behaviours central to the BA role… and how we can develop and maintain them.
Topics discussed include: the Personal Strength inventory; character vs. the cult of personality; identifying your character strengths and weaknesses; developing through practice; and the power of theT Lego persona.
Helen Holder has over 10 years’ experience working as a BA for public sector organisations. Passionate about elevating the BA profession, she volunteers with the @IIBA UK Midlands chapter.
You may find the related articles, blogs and videos of interest
Who Do You Think You Are? Business Analysts and Impostor Syndrome | Assist Knowledge Development
Business Analysts and the Feedback Mindset | Assist Knowledge Development
BOOK REVIEW: Mindset by Carol Dweck | Assist Knowledge Development
BA Brew 76: The Human Element (Feat. Helen Holder) | Assist Knowledge Development
AssistKD’s Team Leadership course covers positive communication, time management, leading a team through change, and more. Team Leadership Training Courses | Business Analysis | Assist Knowledge Development
businessanalysis #businessanalysis #personalstrengthinventory #BAcompetency #characterstrengths #personaldevelopment #growthmindset
Do you love a success story? BA Apprentice of the Year 2024 Lorna Mylett is this week’s special BA Brew guest. She shares her experience of the Business Analyst Apprenticeship supported by her employers DWP, and AssistKD.
Topics discussed include: learning and applying new skills and understanding; the value of learning as part of a group and having a mentor; and what it’s like to be thrown at the deep end at the IRM UK BA Conference Europe.
If you enjoyed this BA Brew, you may find the following resources of interest.
ARTICLES
Meet Lorna Mylett, Business Analyst Apprentice of the Year 2024
The Business Case for Apprenticeships
My Experience of the Business Analysis Apprenticeship
VIDEOS
BA Brew 27: The BA Apprenticeship
AssistKD’s Business Analyst (Level 4) Apprenticeship Scheme
BAapprenticeship #apprenticeships #businessanalysis #businessanalyst #talentpipeline
Tricky business problem? Get those (creative) thinking caps on! In this week’s BA Brew the Crew discuss how creative thinking can help business change professionals challenge the status quo, think expansively and come up with effective solutions.
Questions addressed include:
- What is creative thinking?
- How can you create an environment for creative thinking?
- What are the potential barriers?
- What are your top 3 creative thinking techniques?
You may find the following articles, course, free learning and BA Brews useful:
ARTICLES
Zombie Penguin Business Analysts: Creativity Techniques and Divergent Thinking
Creative Thinking/Divergent Thinking
COURSE
Design Thinking Course
FREE LEARNING
NEW Free Learning Course - Creative Problem Solving
BA BREWS
BA Brew 21: Design Thinking (Feat. Kay Hardy)
BA Brew 82: The Double Diamond (feat. Liza Laya)
servicedesign #divergentthinking #creativityinbusiness #businessanalysis #businessanalyst
If you have ever wanted to know more about psychological safety this brew is a one not to be missed. Jonathan Hunsley and Philippa Thomas are joined by Emma Lee (Chief Psychologist at Matthew Syed Consulting and registered psychologist) to discuss this important topic.
Collectively they explore questions such as:
▶️What is psychological safety?
▶️Why is psychological safety important?
▶️How does psychological safety impact individuals and teams?
▶️How might an absence of psychological safety impact creativity and organisational learning?
▶️How might we develop a culture of psychological safety?
FURTHER RESOURCES
The following BA Brews may be of interest:
BA Brew 80 - Bravery in Business Analysis (feat. Kay Hardy & Charlie Payne)
BA Brew 76: The Human Element (feat. Helen Holder)
BA Brew Episode 60: Imposter Syndrome: Are you an imposter in BA clothing? (feat. Jo Fahy)
BA Brew 49: Mental Health (feat. Petra Velzeboer)
BA Brew 30: Confidence (feat. Philippa Thomas)
BA Brew 20: Resilience (feat. Corrine Thomas)
Books Radical Candor: How to Get What You Want by Saying What You Mean – Kim Scott
Rebel Ideas - Matthew Syed
The 8th Habit: From Effectiveness to Greatness – Stephen R Covey
businessanalysis #businessanalyst #baprofessional #psychologicalsafety #MatthewSyed
In this special BA Conference Europe BA Brew, AssistKD CEO Debra Paul is joined by three BA Conference legends: Shane McGlynn, Rachel Levermore, and James Archer (who started the ball rolling in the first place!)
The BA Conference Europe is Europe’s foremost Business Analysis conference, which has evolved over the past 16 years to over 500 attendees and 6 streams of talks.
This BA Brew celebrates:
- the dedication and enthusiasm of the Advisory Board who tune in to the latest thinking and different perspectives
- everyone behind the scenes who helps to make this wonderful conference happen
- the bravery of new speakers, stepping up for their first ever BA Conference presentations
- and most of all, the amazing BA community
Topics discussed include: how the conference has grown, kept current and pushed boundaries; inspirational speakers over the years; memorable moments… and more.
BA2024 #ProfessionalGrowth #BASkills #Networking #BusinessConference #BAConferenceEurope #businessanalyst #servicedesign #servicedesigner #BA
Are you an Activist, a Theorist, a Pragmatist or a Reflector? Our latest BA Brew could help you find out and get the most from your learning.
The Brew Crew are joined by former Apprentice and now BA at the Environment Agency Cat Warren to talk about some of the different learning models (Kolb, Bloom and Honey and Mumford).
They look at how the different learning approaches work with training courses, course manuals and eLearning and explore how understanding other people’s different learning styles helps with facilitation and stakeholder engagement.
The following resources are relevant to the learning models mentioned in this podcast:
Kolb’s Learning Styles
The Honey and Mumford Learning Model
Bloom’s Taxonomy of Learning
You can find quick overviews of how to use Mind Maps and Rich pictures in the Bitesize Videos section of the AssistKD Learning Zone.
learningstyles #elearning #businesstrainingcourses #businessanalysis #servicedesign #kolb #honeyandmumford #bloomstaxonomy #learning #training #businesstraining
This BA Brew is AssistKD’s second BA Question Time. Many of the questions focus on role clarity, a hot topic for BAs. Mike Williams is host, with expert panellists Jo Frances and Jonathan Hunsley providing the answers and insights.
This week’s questions are:
❓What is the difference between a Business Analyst and a Business Architect?
❓What is the difference between a Business Analyst and a Service Designer?
❓How can a growth mindset support change professionals in general?
❓ What are the overlaps between a Business Analyst and a Functional Analyst?
Do you have a question our the next BA Question Time? If so, please email us on BABrew@AssistKD.com or post on our wall on Instagram, Facebook or LinkedIn.
The following BA Brews and articles are relevant to the topics discussed:
This article on Business Analysis and Business Architecture is based on the workshop run by Victoria Banner and Jonathan Hunsley at the BA Manager Forum in June 2024.
This is an interesting BA Brew on Business Architecture.
BA Brew 22: Business Architecture (Feat. Wouter Nieuwenburg)
This article compares the BA Service Framework and the Service Design Service Framework and addressed the ‘grey area’ between the roles.
This book review is relevant to the growth mindset.
This output from the BA Manager Forum provides some useful information on the growth mindset.
businessanalysis #businessanalyst #baqt #growthmindset #businessarchitecture #businessarchitect #servicedesign #servicedesigner #functionalanalyst #dataarchitecture #roleclarity
If you’re concerned about the impact of Artificial Intelligence on your business or your job, this BA Brew is a must-watch. Debra Paul and Pete Thompson discuss the benefits, risks and opportunities with Donald Farmer – one of the foremost thinkers, researchers and presenters in the field.
Topics discussed include: automating processes; cost savings; intellectual property; caring about the human element; inherent bias in AI; the need for new requirements; mitigating for unexpected adverse effects and more.
Donald Farmer is a visionary data and analytics strategist with over 30 years’ experience designing data and analytics products. He has led teams at Microsoft and Qlik Technologies and is now the Principal of TreeHive Strategy where he advises software vendors, enterprises and investors on data and advanced analytics strategy.
FURTHER RESOURCES
This short article lists the top takeaways from Donald Farmer’s talk at the Business Change and Transformation Conference Europe: Generative AI and Business Strategy: Innovation or Imitation?
You may also be interested in the following articles and BA Brews on AI:
Articles:
AI Alchemy: Turning Change into Gold
AI and the Business Analysis Role
Book Review of Hello World by Hannah Fry
BA Brews:
Business Analysis and AI
The AI Brew
AI #artificialintelligence #AIautomation #requirements #dataanalytics #dataanalysis #businesschange #servicedesign
This BA Brew is all about bravery, asking what bravery is and how we can develop it. Charlie Payne and Kay Hardy join the Brew Crew to try to answer these questions and more. The discussion includes: how elements of police training can also apply to business analysis; a great skiing analogy; building resilience; psychological safety; power poses; and more.
During the BA Brew, Amy Cuddy’s TED talk Your Body Language May Shape Who You Are is referenced, and also her book Presence.
businessanalysis #businessanalyst #bravery #challenging #businesschange #bodylanguage #managingstakeholders #designthinking #BA
If you are interested in Agile, you won’t want to miss this. This BA Brew is all about the second edition of ‘Agile Business Analysis: Practical guidance for IT professionals’ by Lynda Girvan and Debra Paul.
Watch as the authors discuss what readers can expect from the revised and updated edition, including:
⭐ the latest Agile developments
⭐ new techniques
⭐ new thinking
⭐ real-life case-studies where experienced practitioners share challenges and lessons learned.
The wide-ranging discussion covers organisational agility and the role of the BA; the relevance of the Agile Manifesto; how to apply Agile in an informed and relevant way; the increased focus on the customer and much more.
agile #IT #businessanalysis #businessanalyst #businesschange #digital #agilebusinessanalysis
In this special edition of our BA Brew, it’s BA Question Time! Mike Williams presides as AssistKD’s Fiona Bruce with Debra Paul and Jonathan Hunsley as the panellists.
This week’s questions are:
❓Should BAs understand commerce/business?
❓How can a BA team of 20 balance sharing knowledge and experience as a team with time on their own projects?
❓How do I bring together a group of professionals working in and around the business analysis space together to add value to the business?
❓Business Analysts often feel overlooked. How can we raise the profile of the profession?
❓What’s going to be in fashion in the BA World this year?
Do you have a question for our next BA Question Time? If so, please email us on BABrew@AssistKD.com or post on our wall on Instagram, Facebook or LinkedIn.
The following BA Brews and articles are relevant to the answers given:
Adair’s model of action centred leadership addresses balances the team, the task and the individual.
This article on inclusive leadership.
This article on establishing a centralised Community of Practice.
This article on creating a BA Service Definition.
BA Brew 68: Stepping Beyond the BA toolbox
BA Brew 44: Building a BA Community
BAQT #businessanalysis #businessanalyst #BAtoolkit #leadership #teamwork #business
In our latest brew Jonathan Hunsley and Nicole Alderton are joined by Michelle Shakesheff and Tim Clark of Close Bros to share their thoughts on getting started in a BA career.
They share insights on the different modes of learning available to build the professional toolkit, the importance of mentoring and stepping out of your comfort zone to take on new challenges. Handily, they also delve into the sources and benefits of ongoing self-development.
With so many structured routes into business analysis, including the BA apprenticeship, perhaps gone are the days of simply drifting into the BA career.
businessanalysis #ba #businessanalysis #growthmindset #mentor #apprenticeships
The pandemic and new technology have changed the way we work, but how are we responding as humans? Special guest Helen Holder considers the human element of our professional lives in this fascinating BA Brew.
Topics include: how we respond to our work, interact with stakeholders and deal with change; the personal attributes of BAs, business architects and service designers; investing in personal growth; the strength inventory; resilience and the growth mindset and more.
Helen Holder is a Senior Business Analyst and BA of the Year Finalist 2022.
If you enjoy this BA Brew, you may also enjoy the following articles:
Resilience Resources
You can’t spell Challenge without Change
Helen referenced the following books during the conversation:
Leadersmithing by Eve Pool
Who You Are is How You Lead by Rachel L. Rider
The following BA Brews may be of interest. BA Brew 20 on Resilience; BA Brew 30 on Confidence; BA Brew 50 on Stepping out of your Comfort Zone; BA Brew 62 on Advice that Got Us Through Life and BA Brew 69 on Self Assessment and Development tools.
charactercrafting #growthmindset #businessanalyst #businessanalysis #servicedesign #BA #personalitytools
Artificial Intelligence: a powerful ally with mind-blowing potential… or a threat to our jobs? @John Wisner joins the BA Brew crew for a lively discussion on where we are right now, and the possibilities and challenges ahead.
Topics include: AI and automation; brainstorming with AI; machine learning and data analytics; asking AI the right questions; why BAs need to be aware of the new AI tools, and more.
John Wisner is Managing Principal Consultant at Capco, Business Analysis Capability Lead and BA of the Year Finalist 2022.
If you enjoyed this BA Brew you may be interested in this BA Blog.
You may also enjoy the following BA Brews on AI and on the future of business analysis:
BA Brew 63: The AI Brew (Hosted by ChatGPT)
BA Brew 10: Is there a Future for Business Analysis?
artificialintelligence #AI #businessanalyst #businessanalysis #servicedesign #BA #AItools #AIforbusiness
Daniel Squire and Jonathan Hunsley are passionate about business analysis… and martial arts (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Taekwondo respectively). In this fascinating BA Brew, they discuss some of the misconceptions about martial arts and the many parallels between the disciplines.
Topics include: situational awareness; control, discipline and practice; inclusivity and respect... and much more.
Daniel Squire is Principal Business Analyst at Just Eat.
If you enjoyed this BA Brew you may be interested in ‘The Black Belt BA’ article in our Learning Zone, based on a talk of the same name given by Jonathan Hunsley.
And you can find Daniel Squire’s article ‘Mind Meets Mat: The Digital Dojo’ here.
In... or out? This BA Brew looks at the differences and common ground between the in-house and the external BA consultant roles.
Our special guest is Liz Calder, highly experienced BA and IIBA UK Chapter President.
Topics covered include: different agreements and expectations; skills sets; organisational culture and implicit rules; organisational knowledge; financial considerations; investing in your skills and knowledge... and much more.
BAconsultancy #internalBA #businessanalyst #businessanalysis #BA #businessconsultant #IIBA #BAskills #businessanalysisconsultancy #stakeholderengagement #organisationalculture
When business analysts work at one organisation for a long time, they can lose sight of their value and transferable skills. They may even find it difficult to move on. This BA Brew In this BA Brew Chris Pyatt talks about how BAs can regain their professional confidence.
Topics covered include: the ‘comfort zone’ of subject matter and organisational expertise; the skills you have which you may take for granted; taking the ‘leap of faith’; engaging with the BA community; the value of training, certification and mentoring and much more.
Chris Pyatt, BA at DWP Digital, first talked about ‘The Institutionalised BA’ at the BA Conference Europe 2023.
Neurodiversity is a word we hear, but how much do we really understand it and recognise neurodivergence in ourselves and others? Only by better understanding can we support and champion people with neurodiversity and appreciate what they can offer the BA community. In this awareness-raising BA Brew, guests Nicola Pinkney and Paul Haywood share some personal insights and helpful tips.
You can find AssistKD’s recent article based on Nicola and Paul’s inspiring talk at BA Conference Europe 2023 here.
Helpful organisations:
Daisy Chain (Autism and Neurodiversity Support)
Mind (Mental Health Charity)
S4Nd (Society for Neurodiversity)
The Brain Charity (Neurological Support)
Editor Tom found this BA Brew ‘mind-blowing’ and we think you will too. If you have ever felt ‘put in your box’ as a BA, you need to hear what Enterprise Architect and Strategy Delivery Consultant Vicky Rothwell has to say.
Vicky challenges business analysts to push for a strategic role, to be bold with our BA toolkits and to build our understanding of business architecture and service design.
Topics covered in this BA Brew include:
- The overlap between the business architecture and business analysis toolkits.
- The rise of the strategic business analyst.
- Business architecture as an opportunity for BAs.
- Self-limiting beliefs and how to resist being put in the ‘BA Box’.
- Why business analysts, business architects and service designers are a powerful alliance.
- The capability lens and the value proposition.
- Responding to business events.
- Microservices and macroservices.
Vicky Rothwell works as Strategy Lead at Airelogic Limited.
You may enjoy the following BA Brews:
BA Brew 22: Business Architecture (Feat. Wouter Nieuwenburg) BA Brew 22: Business Architecture (Feat. Wouter Nieuwenburg) - YouTube
BA Brew 42 Business Analysts - Leaders or Followers? (Feat. Emily Tom) BA Brew 42 Business Analysts - Leaders or Followers? (Feat. Emily Tom) - YouTube
BA Brew 46: Business Service Design BA Brew 46: Business Service Design - YouTube
BA Brew Episode 50: Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone BA Brew 50: Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone (Feat. Producer Tom) - YouTube
For all the latest business analysis, business change and service design content, including bitesize learning videos, please like, subscribe and share this podcast.
businessanalysis #businessanalyst #businessarchitecture #enterprisearchitecture #businessstrategy #PESTLE #VMOST #SWOT #requirements #requirementsengineering #servicedesign #designthinking #userstories #usecases #outcomesfocus #technologyarchitecture #businessoutcomes #leadership
Self-assessment and development tools provide useful insights which can benefit individuals, teams and organisations. This BA Brew features special guest Corrine Thomas (business analysis leader, coach, mentor, writer and author) and looks at some of the tools including MBTI Myers Briggs, StrengthsFinder, Engage, Strengths Profile, the Strengths Deployment Inventory and Mindset Advantage. Useful links: Myers Briggs Experts in business psychology and personality assessment (themyersbriggs.com) StrengthsFinder StrengthsFinder 2.0 | EN - Gallup Engage https://www.engagecoach.com/ Strengths Profile What are your Strengths? | Strengths Profile Strength Deployment Inventory Strength Deployment Inventory 2.0 | Core Strengths Assessment Mindset Advantage Mindset Advantage Psychometric - Matthew Syed Consulting, Mindset Cultures That Empower People You may enjoy the following BA Brews: BA Brew Episode 41: Job Crafting (Feat. Charlotte Axon) BA Brew 41: Job Crafting (Feat. Charlotte Axon) - YouTube BA Brew Episode 30: Confidence (Feat. Philippa Thomas) BA Brew 30: Confidence (Feat. Philippa Thomas) - YouTube BA Brew Episode 20: Resilience (Feat. Corrine Thomas) BA Brew 20: Resilience (Feat. Corrine Thomas) - YouTube Read AssistKD’s book review of StrengthsFinder by Tim Rath BOOK REVIEW: StrengthsFinder 2.0 by Tom Rath | Assist Knowledge Development (assistkd.com) For all the latest business analysis, business change and service design content, including bitesize learning videos, please like, subscribe and share this podcast. #businessanalysis #businessanalyst #personalitytools #myersbriggs #selfawareness #mindsetadvantage #engage #strengthsprofile #strengthsfinder #SDI #psychometrictest #growthmindset #personalitytests #selfassessmenttools
Newly crowned IRM UK Business Analyst of the Year winner Pip Hall joins the Brew Crew this week. Pip talks about her BA journey and those key life skills to be found beyond the standard BA toolbox. The inspiring and heartwarming chat covers what we can learn from our hobbies, interests and relationships; the importance of empathy and why Pip thinks we should take our whole selves to work. You may enjoy the following BA Brews: BA Brew Episode 26: Stakeholders (Feat. Pip Hall) BA Brew Episode 47: Creating Purpose and Meaning (feat. Joe Newbert)For all the latest business analysis, business change and service design content, including bitesize learning videos, please like, subscribe and share this podcast. #businessanalysis #businessanalyst #servicedesign #communicationskills #empathy #BAtoolbox #BAskills #stakeholderengagement
In this fascinating BA Brew, business consultant and communications specialist Miruna Ursache talks about the different ways we communicate, and the power of understanding where our personal communication styles, habits and patterns come from. Miruna is the founder of training and coaching company Refraiz, and has led fun, interactive communications workshops at the BA Manager Forum and the BA Conference Europe. You may enjoy the following BA Brews: BA Brew 48: The Benefits of One Pagers BA Brew 61: 50 Mighty Words to Grow Your Business For all the latest business analysis, business change and service design content, including bitesize learning videos, please like, subscribe and share this podcast. #businessanalysis #businessanalyst #servicedesign #communicationskills #businesscommunication #communications #verbalcommunication #writtencommunication #nonverbalcommunication
Between them, our Brew Crew have decades of presentation-giving experience. In this eye-opening chat they share some useful and practical advice… and a few embarrassing stories. From testing the tech to the best throat pastilles, discover some handy hacks and hints to make sure your presentations go without a hitch. Find out about AssistKD’s Presentation Skills course here. Plan for success in your BA career with AssistKD’s FREE Career Planner tool. For all the latest business analysis, business change and service design content, including bitesize learning videos, please like, subscribe and share this podcast. #businessanalysis #businessanalyst #presentations #presentationskills #businesspresentations #presentationhacks #presentationtips #presentationpreparation #givingpresentations
It took Ian Richards and Filip Hendrickx five days and an entire wall of Post-It notes to create the storyline for the business novel Brainy Glue. It then took them three years to write it, around their many commitments. In this BA Brew, Filip and Ian talk about the main themes explored in the novel – business analysis, innovation and change… and how they managed to weave 25 BA techniques into the 52 chapters.
Topics discussed include: Understanding people’s drivers to inform stakeholder engagement; co-creating change; bringing the BA role to life in novel form and more.
Ian Richards is BA Director at Peregrine and a member of the BCS BA Leadership board. Filip Hendrickx is a global speaker, President of the IIBA Brussels chapter and founder of Altershape.
You can read the first sixteen chapters of Brainy Glue for FREE, on www.brainyglue.com and buy the book direct from the website. You can also order the book in paperback or Kindle form on Amazon.
Love to learn? You might enjoy our bitesize learning playlist – short videos explaining key BA tools and techniques.
Plan for success in your BA career with AssistKD’s FREE Career Planner tool.
For all the latest business analysis, business change and service design content, including bitesize learning videos, please like, subscribe and share this podcast.
How do you become a BA professional? In today’s BA Brew, the crew talk about their respective journeys and business analysts can gain certifications, increase their skills and raise the standard of their business analysis work. Topics covered include: Training and development in business analysis; the pros and cons of the multiple-choice question and the oral exam; the difference between qualifications and certifications; the many routes to becoming a BA; creating a tailored professional development plan; reflection and knowledge sharing; learning from failures and more. Plan your BA career path with AssistKD’s FREE and newly updated Career Planner tool. Find out more about the professional certifications and examinations you can achieve through AssistKD. Watch this video about the BCS International Diploma in Business Analysis. For all the latest business analysis, business change and service design content including AssistKD’s bitesize learning videos please like, subscribe and share. #businessanalysis #businessanalyst #careeradvice #certification #businesstraining #businessintelligence #growthmindset #traininganddevelopment #professionalism #multiplechoice #knowledgesharing
🤖💼 The Future of Work: AI & Human Collaboration 🤝 This week's BA Brew is taking a futuristic turn, as we host an exclusive session led by a ChatGPT Avatar! Yes, you heard that right—a digital entity ready to explore, engage, and enlighten us on the potential and pitfalls of AI in the workplace. Join us to dive into topics like: How AI is reshaping industries 🏭 The balance between human intuition and machine efficiency 🧠⚙️ Ethical considerations in the age of automation 🎗️ Building a future where humans and AI thrive together 🌐 The above summary was written by ChatGPT. Further reading/viewing: Coded Bias (A Netflix documentary) Hello World: How to Be Human in the Age of the Machine#BA_Brew #FutureOfWork #AI #Technology #Innovation #EthicsInAI
You know you’ve had great advice when you remember it and feel inspired by it throughout your life. This week the Brew Crew and special guest Julie Walker share some valuable gems of wisdom – including how to eat an elephant (one bite at a time). Julie Walker is the author of the historical novel ‘Bonny & Read’, about the lives of the famous women pirates Ann Bonny and Mary Read. Further reading: By Julie Walker: Bonny & Read: The stunning new feminist historical novel for 2022
Communications failure is behind most business disasters, where people are afraid to admit they don’t fully understand what they are supposed to be doing, and why. Luckily, our latest BA Brew guest is on the case. In this fascinating discussion, Felicity Cowie –communications consultant, multi-award winning investigative news journalist and former Panorama editor – shares useful insights from her decades of experience. Topics covered include: the power of stating what you are doing and why concisely, clearly and understandably; authentic communication and feeling safe enough to say ‘I don’t know’; making every word count; avoiding scope ‘creep’; the reassurance of repeating the message at the start of every meeting and more. Felicity’s latest book, ‘Exposure’ includes the 50 Mighty Words technique. You can find it here.
This week our intrepid crew are joined by Jo Fahy to talk about Imposter Syndrome, something 80% of us admit to having experienced. The discussion includes what Imposter Syndrome is; the many ways it can manifest itself; personal experiences; gender and age factors; why a little self-doubt is useful but a lot is prohibitive; the power of being authentic; asking for feedback; silencing the inner critic and more. Jo Fahy is a Senior Business Analyst at the University of Manchester, and a member of the Young Business Analysts Senior Leadership Team. Further reading: Clance, P. R., & Imes, S. A. (1978). “The imposter phenomenon in high achieving women: Dynamics and therapeutic intervention.” Psychotherapy: Theory, Research & Practice, 15(3), p.241–247 Young, Valerie Dr. (2011) “The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women: Why Capable People Suffer from the Imposter Syndrome and How to Thrive in Spite of It”, Crown Publishing Group, Division of Random House Inc More tools and resources available from Mandy Green at https://www.mandygreenleadership.com/ Dweck, Carol “The Power of Believing You Can Improve” TED Talk Fahy, Jo (2022) “It’s Not You, It’s Me – Impostor Syndrome”, BA Digest, available at https://heyzine.com/flip-book/a5dc676452.html#page/5 Tulshyan, Rushika and Burey, Jodi-Ann (2021) “Stop Telling Women They Have Impostor Syndrome”, Harvard Business Review, available at Stop Telling Women They Have Imposter Syndrome
This week we welcome two very special guests aboard the good ship BA Brew. 🏴☠️Novelist Julie Walker shares the incredible story of notorious female pirates Anne Bonny and Mary Read while facilitator, speaker and author Alex Barker encourages us to learn from the Be More Pirate’s pirate code (see below). Are you brave enough to find your inner pirate and challenge the status quo?
Topics discussed include: what motivated Ann Bonny and Mary Read to challenge the norms; the freedom and equality of the pirate life; how the Pirate Code and questioning rules applies to innovation and change; the power of collaborative rule setting and collective values; the impact of lockdown on attitudes to leadership and more.
🏴☠️ HOW TO BE MORE PIRATE 🏴☠️
- Rebel – but not for the sake of it. 2. Rewrite – bend, break but most importantly, rewrite the rules. 3. Reorganise – collaborate to achieve scale rather than growth…small is beautiful. 4. Redistribute – fight for fairness, share power, and make an enemy of exploitation. 5. Retell – weaponize your story and ‘tell the hell’ out of it.
Further reading:
How To: Be More Pirate: Amazon.co.uk: Conniff, Sam, Barker, Alex: 9781916052345: Books
Bonny & Read: The stunning new feminist historical novel for 2022: Amazon.co.uk: Walker, Julie: 9781529395723: Books
This week the Brew Crew discuss why the customer should be at the centre of any change initiative. Their special guest is Sushma Sundaran, a Senior Technology Delivery Manager at the Home Office, with extensive experience of customer-centric change. Topics covered include: listening to, understanding and meeting diverse customer needs; customer journey mapping; the customer experience; customer retention; the importance of shared values; the human touch; using CATWOE, the SARAH curve and more.
Karl Wiegers and Candase Hokanson join the Crew this week to chat about requirements practices. Answering the need for a shorter book on requirements, their new book ‘Software Requirements Essentials’ focuses on the 20 core practices essential for software and systems projects. Topics covered in the Brew include: the requirements engineering framework; modelling; why requirements matter; requirements management; the separation of elicitation and analysis; requirements in Agile projects; non-functional requirements and more. Candase Hokanson is a Business Architect at ArgonDigital. Karl Wiegers is Principal Consultant at Process Impact. Software Requirements Essentials: Core Practices for Successful Business AnalysisSoftware Requirements Essentials (softwarereqs.com)
Are you a business analyst with a story to tell? In this BA Brew, Lee Fewkes tells the Crew why he created The BA Story, where business analysts can share their BA stories and insights. Topics covered include: The power and connection of the personal story; how no two business analysts are the same; how it feels to reflect on your career challenges and achievements; the many roads to becoming a BA and more. You can find the BA Story website here: The Business Analyst Story (thebastory.com)
How can you make your customers or end users feel real, empathise with them and better understand what they really want and need? In this Brew Kerry, Mike and Pete discuss the power of Personas, and how BAs can create and use them effectively.
The chat covers: what are Personas; avoiding stereotypes; customer research; using photos and names; how Personas link to other techniques such as User Stories and Empathy Mapping; and more.
If you’re interested in Personas you may be interested in watching AssistKD’s recent Service Design webinar on ‘Roles, personas and customer journeys: challenges and misconceptions’. You can find it on our YouTube channel here.
The topic for this latest BA Brew was suggested by Principal Business Analyst Simon Platt. A keen Neurodiversity Advocate, Simon addresses this sensitive and sometimes challenging topic, sharing his insights into and experience of Neurodiversity with the Brew Crew and wider BA Brew audience. Topics discussed include: What is Neurodiversity?; looking beyond labels; trust and psychological safety in the workplace; strategies for the individual; the 3 components of ADHD and more. AssistKD provides training, apprenticeships and consultancy services throughout the UK and internationally. Click here to view AssistKD’s extensive choice of classroom (virtual and face-to-face) and e-learning courses.
Our latest BA Brew guest is the wonderful Fae Marcano, Business Analyst of the Year 2022. In this episode Fae and the crew talk about how they became business analysts and their experiences of the BA of the Year awards.
Topics include: how Fae, Jonathan and Lisa became BAs; the ‘why’ of becoming a BA; the Business Analyst of the Year experience and why it’s worth entering; the joys of networking and knowledge sharing; why mentoring matters; promoting the BA role and much more.
Fae may well inspire you to apply for the BA of the Year award yourself!
AssistKD provides training, apprenticeships and consultancy services throughout the UK and internationally. Click here to view AssistKD’s extensive choice of classroom (virtual and face-to-face) and e-learning courses.
Can a book really change the way you work, or even how you look at life? The Brew Crew certainly think so. Watch this podcast to hear about the books that have made them think differently, and that they return to again and again for inspiration.
Topics discussed include: how our reading choices evolve; people taking away different messages from the same book; books on self-awareness and mindset; books about dealing with change; insights from works of fiction; books with practical tips, frameworks and methodologies; consolidating learning by watching talks by authors on YouTube;
Here is a list of the books recommended in this episode:
📖 Reengineering the Corporation by Michael Hammer and James Champy
📖 Mindset by Dr Carole S. Dweck
📖 Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before? by Dr Julie Smith
📖 Who Moved My Cheese? by Dr Spencer Johnson
📖 Atomic Habits by James Clear
📖 Black Box Thinking by Matthew Syed
📖 Getting to Yes by Roger Fisher and William Ury
📖 Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
You can also find a list of AssistKD publications here.
AssistKD provides training, apprenticeships and consultancy services throughout the UK and internationally. Click here to view AssistKD’s extensive choice of classroom (virtual and face-to-face) and e-learning courses.
The new series of the BA Brew kicks off with a cracker of an episode. Author, life coach and business consultant Byron Morrison challenges us to learn from the CEO mindset in order to reach our full potential in life and in business. It’s inspiring stuff.
Topics covered include: the decision framework; thinking holistically; risk aversion; the value of trying and failing; maintaining momentum vs. staying in your comfort zone; energy management; reflection; self-awareness and more.
Byron Morrison is the author of bestselling business books The Effective CEO and Think Like a CEO.
AssistKD provides training, apprenticeships and consultancy services throughout the UK and internationally. Click here to view AssistKD’s extensive choice of classroom (virtual and face-to-face) and e-learning courses.
ceo #mindset #success #businessanalysis #leadership #goals
It’s our 50th BA Brew! To celebrate this momentous milestone Producer Tom finally steps out from behind the camera… but he’s not sure how comfortable he feels about it.
From taking up bee-keeping to playing music on an open mic night the Crew share how they’ve stepped out of their respective comfort zones. And they discuss some useful strategies, including some from the business analysis toolkit.
AssistKD provides training, apprenticeships and consultancy services throughout the UK and internationally. Click here to view AssistKD’s extensive choice of classroom (virtual and face-to-face) and e-learning courses.
It’s the last BA Brew of 2022 and this one’s incredibly inspiring. Coach, speaker, psychotherapist and mental health consultant Petra Velzeboer shares her extraordinary story and talks to the Brew Crew about looking after our mental wellbeing and how we can ‘check in’ with friends, family and colleagues.
Topics covered include: Growing up in a religious cult; the recent rise in depression and anxiety; connection and a sense of belonging; taking small steps out of your comfort zone; setting boundaries; habit stacking; reflection vs. rumination; normalising talking about mental health; the work-life balance and much more.
Petra’s new book Begin with You: Invest in Your Mental Health and Satisfaction at Work is available for pre-order on Amazon.
Mike Williams mentions VMOST. You can find a Business Alchemist’s blog which mentions this technique here.
You can find the NHS list of emergency mental health helplines here.
AssistKD provides training, apprenticeships and consultancy services throughout the UK and internationally. Click hereto view AssistKD’s extensive choice of classroom (virtual and face-to-face) and e-learning courses.
Now you can get everyone on the same page… literally. Chris Ingold joins the Brew Crew all the way from Melbourne to share his passion for the ‘one pager’.
Topics covered include: The power of the one pager; A3 management; establishing the ‘why’ and the purpose; the misuse of small fonts and overcrowded PowerPoint slides; the one pager as a validation document; compatible BA techniques including Timelines, Scope, Process Mapping, Capability Maps, User Story Maps, the Value Chain and the ‘How Now Brown Cow’ technique.
Chris Ingold is a digital expert, change agent and Head of Solutions Design at ReadyTech.
AssistKD provides training, apprenticeships and consultancy services throughout the UK and internationally. Click here to view AssistKD’s extensive choice of classroom (virtual and face-to-face) and e-learning courses.
What is your ‘Why?’. In this inspiring BA Brew, Joe Newbert joins the Crew to talk about how we can create purpose and meaning in our personal and professional lives.
Topics covered include: Jacob Morgan’s framework for purpose and meaning; values driven leadership; bringing our personal purpose and meaning to work; finding consensus on purpose and values; intent-based leadership and helping others to find their purpose and meaning.
The books recommended in this BA Brew are: The Future Leader by Jacob Morgan; Start with Why by Simon Sinek and The 8th Habit by Stephen R. Covey.
AssistKD provides training, apprenticeships and consultancy services throughout the UK and internationally. Click here to view AssistKD’s extensive choice of classroom (virtual and face-to-face) and e-learning courses.
What is Business Service Design and is it the next big thing? If you’re curious about this powerful new human-centred approach you will be interested in this BA Brew where Jonathan, Kerry and Kate share their thoughts on the subject.
Topics covered include: Systems, Service, Design and Lean Thinking; Business Service Design tools, frameworks, techniques and more.
AssistKD provides training, apprenticeships and consultancy services throughout the UK and internationally. Click here to view AssistKD’s Service Design courses.
AssistKD’s Kate Biddle joins us for today’s BA Brew, her first as part of the Crew. It’s a good one, discussing how to break those bad habits and build positive behaviours instead.
Topics covered include: the power of habits; self awareness; the habit loop; habit stacking; planning ahead; good BA habits and the value of moral support from friends, colleagues and family.
Books recommended during the podcast are The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg, Atomic Habits by James Clear and The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey.
AssistKD provides training, apprenticeships and consultancy services throughout the UK and internationally. Click here to view AssistKD’s extensive choice of classroom (virtual and in house) and e-learning courses.
It just takes one person to gather people together to help each other. Today the Brew Crew chat with Lou Powell about how she set up and grew the BA Crowd, a Meet Up group for her local BA community.
Topics covered include: the value of community, how to get sponsorship, finding speakers and more.
Louise Powell is a Senior Business Analyst at BGL Insurance and Co-founder of the BA Crowd. AssistKD provides training, apprenticeships and consultancy services throughout the UK and internationally. Click here to view AssistKD’s extensive choice of classroom (virtual and in house) and e-learning courses.
Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you’ve thought ‘You just could not make this up’? Today Jonathan, Mike and Lisa discuss their experiences as customers and as business analysts. They range from the sublime (luxurious upgrade, anyone?) to the ridiculous (a multi-million pound project with no agreed scope… two years in).
Hear about Jonathan’s nightmare coach journey, Lisa’s broadband switch horror and Mike’s discovery of a business process involving a rubber-stamp and a shredder. You won’t be disappointed!
AssistKD provides training, apprenticeships and consultancy services throughout the UK and internationally. Click here to view AssistKD’s extensive choice of classroom (virtual and in house) and e-learning courses.
Are BAs leaders or followers? Jonathan, Debbie and guest Emily Tom explore this challenging question in today’s BA Brew.
Topics discussed include: the importance of context; why BAs are more than scribes or translators; the new vs. the mature BA; lifelong learning; giving back to the BA community; growing your skillset and challenging stakeholders.
Regional Director of IIBA Americas Northeast region, Emily Tom is a senior consultant with over 18 years’ experience in business analysis and business change.
AssistKD provides training, apprenticeships and consultancy services throughout the UK and internationally. Click here to view AssistKD’s extensive choice of classroom (virtual and in house) and e-learning courses.
Have you heard about job crafting? It’s where you make small changes to and personalise your role to make the most of your strengths, passions and experiences. Charlotte Axon is an expert on the subject and shares her wisdom in this first BA Brew of the new season.
Topics discussed include: the five types of job crafting; self-actualisation and job crafting in the face of the Great Resignation.
Charlotte is Lead People Scientist at Tailored Thinking, a positive psychology, well-being and HR consultancy. For more advice, a free downloadable guide to job crafting and other useful resources such as the job canvas for developing your role and career, visit their website.
Job crafting is discussed in Delivering Business Analysis: The BA Service handbook.
Christina also explores why job crafting for is so relevant for business analysts in her BA Times article Job Crafting for BAs.
AssistKD provides training, apprenticeships and consultancy services throughout the UK and internationally. View AssistKD’s extensive choice of classroom (virtual and in house) and e-learning courses here
In this latest BA Brew, the Brew Crew debate the value of data. Jonathan plays the role of Devil’s Advocate… can Debbie and Pete convince him that data is more than simply a means to an end?
Topics discussed include: why data is fascinating; what data tells us; the difference between data and information; metadata; quantitative vs. qualitative data; data models; ethics and more.
Participants: AssistKD’s Jonathan Hunsley, Debra Paul and Pete Thompson.
AssistKD provides training, apprenticeships and consultancy services throughout the UK and internationally. Click here to view AssistKD’s extensive choice of classroom (virtual and in house) and e-learning courses.
If you want to see Mike Williams wearing a very bad wig and (later on) a horse’s head, you won’t want to miss this extra entertaining BA Brew. Georgiana Mannion, known for her ‘Playful BA’ talks, very generously shares her inspirational ideas on how to bring play, fun and games into your BA practice.
Topic discussed include: how to energise a Teams meeting; branding your BA team; flipping the process-mapping process on its head; engaging exercises to generate ideas and solve problems; moving furniture around in the boardroom; using Lego and other tools for solution architecture, change management and coaching and whether it’s possible to have too much fun as a team.
Participants: AssistKD’s Mike Williams and Debra Paul with Georgiana Mannion – consultant, speaker, thought leader and an IIBA ‘BA to Watch 2022’.
AssistKD provides training, apprenticeships and consultancy services throughout the UK and internationally. Click here to view AssistKD’s extensive choice of classroom (virtual and in house) and e-learning courses.
Moon, Rose, Fish is the English translation of Maan, Roos, Vis, a well known Dutch phrase connected to the early stages of learning to read and write. It’s the equivalent of ‘A, B, C’.
In this episode the Brew Crew discuss the value of having a mental checklist of the basic elements when looking at the requirements of an IT system. Moon or Maan stands for the data model, Rose or Roos stands for how things look, the User Interface and Fish or Vis stands for the activities, rules and process changes to be specified in any IT system.
Pete, Jonathan and Danny discuss the importance of getting the fundamentals right; why some BAs struggle with data; the danger of assuming a data model has been fully thought through; how to present data in an understandable way; using scenario analysis and prototyping to explore whether the data model is adaptable to the business needs; the use of tools such as the information concept model and more.
Participants: AssistKD’s Pete Thompson and Jonathan Hunsley, with Danny Kalkhoven, Business Analyst, Trainer and Consultant at VNG via Le Blanc Academy. Danny is also a keen amateur photographer with an international reputation.
AssistKD provides training, apprenticeships and consultancy services throughout the UK and internationally. Click here to view AssistKD’s extensive choice of classroom (virtual and in house) and e-Learning courses.
As BAs and business change professionals, how can we make an impact in our organisations and the wider business analysis community? That’s the question the Crew tackle in today’s BA Brew, with the help of our guest Christina Tan (and freshly brewed coffee or tea of course).
Topics covered include: Leaving a legacy; making an impact on multiple levels; the purpose of the BA; giving and receiving support, ideas and learning through the wider BA community; the value of curiosity.
During the pod, the book ‘7 Habits of Highly Effective People’ by Stephen Covey is mentioned.
Participants: AssistKD’s Jonathan Hunsley and Mike Williams, with Christina Tan, Director of IIBA UK.
AssistKD provides training, apprenticeships and consultancy services throughout the UK and internationally. Click here to view AssistKD’s extensive choice of classroom (virtual and in-house) and E-learning courses.
IIBA UK is the membership organisation for business analysts in the UK and is run entirely by volunteers.
This week, the Brew Crew are joined by guest Niven Postma, author of the highly acclaimed book If You Don’t Do Politics, Politics Will Do You.
“If you think your work speaks for itself… Think again.” Niven and the crew discuss how, whether we like it or not, we all have to navigate office politics. Niven shares her valuable tips, leaving the crew wishing that the book was available at the start of their careers.
Participants: AssistKD’s Mike Williams and Lisa Hudson with Niven Postma, Author and Lecturer on office politics.
AssistKD provides training, apprenticeships and consultancy services throughout the UK and internationally. Click here to view AssistKD’s extensive choice of classroom (virtual and in-house) and E-learning courses.
his week the Brew Crew are joined by guest Jamie Toyne, who explains how he has adapted the BA Service Framework to define and promote the services offered by his BA team.
Topics covered include: how the BA Service Framework was developed (Debbie’s ‘lightbulb moment’); creating a common language to define the BA role; the shift from product focus to a service level view and the importance of “setting out your stall’ and selling your BA services.
Participants: AssistKD’s Debra Paul and Mike Williams with Jamie Toyne, Digital Leader and Head of Business Analysis at the Ministry of Justice.
AssistKD provides training, apprenticeships and consultancy services throughout the UK and internationally. Click here to view AssistKD’s extensive choice of classroom (virtual and in-house) and E-learning courses.
For more on the BA Service Framework, read ‘Delivering Business Analysis: The BA Service Handbook’ by Debra Paul and Christina Lovelock.
‘Creating a BA Service Definition’ summarises Chris Pyatt’s talk at the BA Conference 2021
And you can take our FREE course ‘Introducing the BA Service Framework’ on AssistKD’s Learning Zone.
Fuelled by freshly made coffee, Steve Wright and the Brew Crew discuss the difference between functional and non-functional requirements; why it pays to have non-functional requirements on the agenda from the start; the joy of checklists and more.
During the chat Pete Thompson recommends the book Software Requirements Patterns by Stephen Withall, for its useful contextual checklists.
Participants: AssistKD’s Mike Williams and Pete Thompson with Steve Wright, Business Analysis Mentor and Trainer at Reflect Ltd.
AssistKD provides training, apprenticeships and consultancy services throughout the UK and internationally. Click here to view AssistKD’s extensive choice of classroom (virtual and in house) and online courses.
In today’s BA Brew, our Crew talk with Sarah Gale about developing core business analysis skills, and how to use BA tools and techniques with confidence.
Topics covered include softer skills including communication, relationship building and listening skills; business architecture; customer experience analysis and design thinking; mentoring and coaching; the need for BAs to sell their services; skills frameworks such as the Business Analysis Competency Model®; how to develop BA skills and which skills are transferable.
During the chat, Jonathan mentions the book ‘Mindset’ by Carol Dweck.
Participants: AssistKD’s Jonathan Hunsley and Kerry Adams with Sarah Gale, Software Asset Management Lead at SSE plc. Sarah was a 2018 finalist of the IIBA (UK) Business Analyst of the Year Award, was the second person to complete the BCS Advanced International Diploma in Business Analysis and is a member of the Business Analyst Manager’s Forum.
AssistKD provides training, apprenticeships and consultancy services throughout the UK and internationally. Click here to view AssistKD’s extensive choice of classroom (virtual and in house) and online courses.
Karl Wiegers is back! In this latest BA Brew, Karl and the crew discuss his new book ‘Software Development Pearls: Lessons from Fifty Years of Software Experience’.
Topics include quality (including Karl’s experience of 9th grade woodworking, where he learnt an important lesson about taking the time to ‘do it right’); estimating the time a project will take; the user centred vs. product centred approach to requirements; the value of the peer review process (setting the ego aside) and the necessity of multiple iterations in both requirements and design.
Participants: AssistKD’s Jonathan Hunsley and Mike Williams with Karl Wiegers, software developer, requirements analyst, quality engineer, consultant, trainer and author of books including ‘The Thoughtless Design of Everyday Things’ and now ‘Software Development Pearls’
You can buy ‘Software Development Pearls’ here.
AssistKD provides training, apprenticeships and consultancy services throughout the UK and internationally. Click here to view AssistKD’s extensive choice of classroom (virtual and in house) and online courses.
n the first of Season 4 of the BA Brew podcast, Systems Thinking comes under the spotlight. Topics covered by the Brew Crew and guest Dr Alison Rodrias include whether Systems Thinking can be learned; scenario and impact analysis; reductionist thinking; user stories and applying Systems Thinking within the BA role.
During the podcast, Debbie refers to ‘Systems Thinking, Systems Practice’ by Peter Checkland.
Participants: AssistKD’s Jonathan Hunsley and Debra Paul with Dr Alison Rodrias, scientist turned Business Analysis lead at Parkinson’s UK.
Parkinson's UK is the largest charitable funder of Parkinson's research in Europe. The charity is driving forward research to develop better treatments and a cure for the condition. For more information, please visit https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/
AssistKD provides training, apprenticeships and consultancy services throughout the UK and internationally. Click here to view AssistKD’s extensive choice of classroom (virtual and in house) and online courses.
When speaking in public, challenging authority or dealing with negative feedback, business analysts need to feel and appear confident. But how do you build that confidence? In our Season 3 Finale, the Crew, with guest Philippa Thomas, come up with some top tips that include doing what you fear, visualising success and being selective about the criticism you pay attention to.
During the podcast, Philippa mentions ‘Playing Big’ by Tara Mohr [Playing Big: A practical guide for brilliant women like you: Amazon.co.uk: Mohr, Tara: 9780099591528: Books], while Jonathan refers to ‘The 8th Habit’ by Stephen R. Covey [The 8th Habit: From Effectiveness to Greatness: Amazon.co.uk: Covey, Stephen R.: 9780743206839: Books]
Participants: AssistKD’s Jonathan Hunsley and Nicole Rayner with Philippa Thomas, owner of management training company Skills Shift. [(52) "philippa thomas" | Search | LinkedIn].
AssistKD provides training, apprenticeships and consultancy services throughout the UK and internationally. Click here to view AssistKD’s extensive choice of classroom (virtual and in house) and online courses.
When good business analysis happens nothing goes wrong, but there’s a danger that the extensive work behind a project running smoothly is not seen, understood or appreciated. Stefan Bossuwé joins the Brew Crew to talk about how, as a profession, we can turn the invisible BA into the visible BA.
The chat touches on professionalism and competency; thinking holistically; the importance of the question ‘why’ and the idea of a platform or forum where BAs could share tangible, real-life examples of problems they have helped avoid and the money they have saved organisations.
Participants: AssistKD’s Debra Paul and Jonathan Hunsley chat with Stefan Bossuwé | LinkedIn, coach, speaker and holistic business analysis expert.
AssistKD provides training, apprenticeships and consultancy services throughout the UK and internationally. Click here to view AssistKD’s extensive choice of classroom (virtual and in house) and online courses.
Today’s chat over a brew is all about the BA mindset. Debbie, Christina and Fabricio discuss how the BA mindset extends much further than the business analyst role.
Topics include curiosity and thinking analytically; how SWOT analysis has escaped professional boundaries; the danger of action for action’s sake and the value of sharing the BA mindset with others.
Participants: AssistKD’s Debra Paul chats with Fabricio Laguna, business consultant, teacher and professional speaker and Christina Lovelock, BA leader and co-author of Delivering Business Analysis: The BA Service Handbook.
AssistKD provides training, apprenticeships and consultancy services throughout the UK and internationally. View AssistKD’s extensive choice of classroom (virtual and in house) and online courses.
In this final podcast of 2021, the Brew Crew discuss the Business Analyst Level 4 Apprenticeship scheme. Guest Claire Carroll gives an employer’s perspective, while Kuldip Kang shares her experience of going through the 18-month programme. Topics discussed include the different styles of learning involved, time-management challenges and more. Listen to the end for some useful tips from our guests for apprentices-to-be and employers. Participants: AssistKD’s Debra Paul and Nicole Rayner. With Claire Carroll and Kuldip Kang from Allianz.
GIVEAWAY COMPETITION ALERT! Listen or watch to the end of this BA Brew for some festive chat and our not-to-be-missed Christmas stocking filler competition.
Taking the time to understand who stakeholders are and what they need is key to the success of any project. In this Brew, our intrepid crew chat with Pip Hall about why she dislikes the term ‘stakeholder management’, and discuss how BAs can establish, maintain and enhance relationships with stakeholders.
Useful thinking techniques touched upon include CATWOE analysis, empathy maps, world view analysis, the Thomas-Kilmann conflict positions model, the Covey Think Win-Win model and the BATNA technique.
The following books are recommended in the podcast: Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind
by Yuval Noah Harari and Talking to Strangers by Malcolm Gladwell.
Participants: AssistKD’s Debra Paul and Jonathan Hunsley. With Pip Hall, BA at Telent Technology Services Ltd.
The Brew Crew are never shy about thorny issues, so were happy to rise to the challenge when Karen Newnham got in touch about the tricky topic of solutions. In recent years BAs have been advised to avoid talking about solutions, yet nobody wants to ‘shut down’ stakeholders.
Mike, Jonathan and Karen discuss where the ‘anti-solution’ mindset comes from, and how to engage with stakeholders when they suggest solutions at an early stage in a project. Ideas discussed include reframing solutions, future-thinking and even role playing how a solution could play out (banana suits are not compulsory).
Jonathan suggested the Zachman framework as a tool for exploring solutions in context.
Participants: AssistKD’s Mike Williams and Jonathan Hunsley. With Karen Newnham, Head of Business Analysis at the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).
AssistKD’s Design Thinking course addresses both the problem and the solution space, with a focus on customer-centric solutions that meet the needs of all stakeholders.
Having just discussed the Business Case Necessity in the last podcast, this week the Brew Crew tackle the perfect follow up subject: the value and challenges of benefits planning and realisation.
Jonathan, Sandra and guest Simon Harbisher (who approached AssistKD with the idea) discuss the importance of learning from successes and failures; the role of the business analyst as negotiator; POPIT; the danger of change resistance; the importance of communication and more.
Make sure you listen out for the BA Brew’s first guest cat, India (nicknamed Villanelle as she is apparently noisy, tiny and deadly). India made herself heard but was too shy to appear on camera.
Participants: AssistKD’s Jonathan Hunsley. With Sandra Leek, winner of the IIBA (UK) Business Analyst of the Year award 2014 and Simon Harbisher, Business Analyst at the People’s Postcode Lottery.
During the discussion Simon recommended the book Sway: The Irresistible Pull of Irrational Behavior by Ori Brafman and Rom Brafman.
Learn how to identify, manage and realise business benefits effectively with AssistKD’s Benefits Planning and Realisation course.
Another chance to put the business world to rights over a refreshing brew. This week our Brew Crew are joined by author and BA thought leader Ian Richards, to discuss the necessity for the business case.
Debbie, Jonathan and Ian discuss the value of the business case; why there is some controversy with some saying the business case is ‘anti-agile’; the succinct vs. the detailed business case; who ultimately should have ‘ownership’ and the different approaches of smaller and larger organisations.
Participants: AssistKD’s Debra Paul and Jonathan Hunsley. With Ian Richards, member of the BCS BA Leadership panel, author, international speaker and the 2016 winner of the IIBA (UK) Business Analyst of the Year award. Ian is the co-author (with Filip Hendrickx) of ‘Brainy Glue’, a unique business novel bringing business analysis and business change to life. For more details see www.brainyglue.com.
Check out AssistKD’s one-day intensive course Making the Business Case where you can learn how to develop the outline of a business case, using your own projects as a basis for the practical exercises.
Mike and Jonathan welcome guest Wouter Nieuwenburg to talk all things Business Architecture. The crew discuss the differences between the Business Architect and Business Analyst roles and what happens in that ‘grey area’ where respective toolkits overlap.
Topics covered include knowledge sharing, co-creation and collaboration; the Business Architect as the BA’s ‘independent, critical friend’; the pathway from BA to Business Architect and how the Business Architecture toolkit can benefit the Business Analyst.
Participants: AssistKD’s Mike Williams and Jonathan Hunsley. With Wouter Nieuwenburg, Competence Developer and Business Analyst at PanCompany. Wouter is part of the team behind the BA&Beyond conference and was one of the first in the Netherlands to achieve the Advanced International Diploma in Business Analysis.
Want to expand your skills set? AssistKD offers a choice of Business Architecture courses.
The Brew is back! Debbie and Jonathan launch Season 3 in style with guest Kay Hardy. The topic of the day is Design Thinking, an exploratory human-centric approach that offers a useful framework for business change.
It’s all too easy to go back to the same BA tools time and time again. The crew talk about how Design Thinking helps BAs to refresh their approach, encouraging them to challenge assumptions, to elevate their thinking and to focus on people and outcomes.
Related BA techniques discussed include the Double Diamond approach, Empathy mapping and the ‘5 Whys’. Don’t miss Kay’s brilliant explanation of the ‘lorry under the bridge’ challenge in the first five minutes (she even brought her own whiteboard).
Participants: AssistKD’s Debra Paul and Jonathan Hunsley. With Kay Hardy, Senior Service Designer at Capita Experience and founding member of Young Business Analysts (YBA).
Jonathan Hunsley recently piloted AssistKD’s new Design thinking course. Find out more here.
Building your BA toolkit? Click here to buy Business Analysis Techniques: 123 essential tools for success.
It’s the Season 2 finale! In this episode the crew discuss Resilience with an expert on the subject, Corrine Thomas. Corrine talks about how BA tools can help build resilience at work and in our personal lives, for example the ‘Sarah Curve’ as a framework for dealing with emotions during times of change.
Jonathan comes up with the term ‘Resilience well’, which Debbie thinks should be patented immediately. The team share their ways of dealing with difficulty including talking to trusted friends, box sets during lockdown, NLP techniques, having something to look forward to, running, meditation and even bee keeping.
Participants: AssistKD’s Debra Paul, Jonathan Hunsley and Mike Williams. With Corrine Thomas, Leadership, Careers and Resilience coach and mentor.
You can watch our BA Manager’s Forum webinar on Understanding and Building Resilience h
ere, and download the handout accompanying the forum with useful reference materials here. For support in dealing with difficulty and mental health challenges at work, find free resources from Mind. Click here to buy Business Analysis Techniques: 123 essential tools for success.
The crew are in fine form, celebrating the brand new edition of Business Analysis Techniques. With 123 tools and techniques for the BA to choose from, the skill is in knowing which to use in different contexts. MoSCoW, POPIT™, CATWOE, Johari Window and more… Debbie, Jonathan and Andrew share their favourites and those they think are underrated.
They go on to discuss why some techniques are controversial and how the best can be applied to our day to day as well as our work lives. Andrew Kell ends the podcast with an exceptionally cheesy joke, which may (or may not) be worth listening to the end for.
Click here to buy Business Analysis Techniques: 123 essential tools for success.
Participants: AssistKD’s Debra Paul, Jonathan Hunsley and Andrew Kell.
Are you happy at work? It makes all the difference. Today the crew talk about the impact of workplace culture on our happiness and productivity. James Robertson – author, problem-solver and requirements engineering guru – is our expert guest. We discuss the differences between positive and toxic cultures; how measuring performance can be counter-productive; the importance of a supportive and confident team; Belbin’s team roles (https://www.belbin.com/about/belbin-team-roles) and more… including the cathartic benefits of a good old moan. Click here (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Happy-Work-Here-Understanding-Improving/dp/0989282066/ref=asc_df_0989282066?tag=bingshoppinga-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=80127011834779&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4583726552512524&psc=1) to buy James Robertson’s book: Happy to Work Here: Understanding and Improving the Culture at Work. Participants: AssistKD’s Debra Paul and Mike Williams with James Robertson, consultant, author and principal of the Atlantic Systems Guild (https://systemsguild.eu/) think tank.
The best BAs are passionate about the subject and their specialisms, constantly updating their skills and techniques ‘toolkit’ and growing their understanding throughout their careers.
Our guest on this BA Brew is the ever inspiring Sam Merrick, who talks to the crew about how he developed a hunger for learning, taking ownership of his career and self-funding many of the courses he has taken.
Topics discussed include: the ‘virtuous circle’ of sharing learning; motivation and rewards; how to learn from life experiences; the importance of developing self-awareness and the importance of a great mentor.
Participants: AssistKD’s Mike Williams and Jonathan Hunsley with Sam Merrick, Lead Business Analyst at Shell Energy and Director at IIBA UK.
We’re joined by Lynda Girvan for a thought-provoking chat about what ‘Organisational Agility’ really means. The popular buzz-phrase ‘has been well and truly put to the test in the last 18 months, as businesses have adapted (or not) to changes brought about by the global pandemic. We discuss how business leaders have had to ‘walk the walk’ and how the Business Analysis toolkit can be used to challenge assumptions, change mind-sets and achieve successful outcomes.
Participants: AssistKD’s Debra Paul, Jonathan Hunsley with Lynda Girvan, Head of Business Analysis at CMC Partnership Consultancy.
The crew are joined by Karl Wiegers, who challenges us to think more purposefully about good and bad design. Indeed there is so much poor design to be found in the everyday that Karl has published a book on the subject. Lots to consider for any BA who is serious about championing the user and customer experience, and a wake up call for all requirements engineers.
Buy Karl Wiegers' new book The Thoughtless Design of Everyday Things here https://tinyurl.com/54zvjave
Participants: AssistKD’s Mike Williams and Jonathan Hunsley with software consultant and author Karl Wiegers.
Move over Game of Thrones, in this episode of the BA Brew we discuss the sometimes dynastic struggle between the Business Analyst and Product Owner roles. Who will be King (or Queen) and will BAs truly rule the world one day? Listen in to find out.
Participants: AssistKD’s Debra Paul and Mike Williams with Geertje Appel, Business Analyst and Trainer at Le Blanc Advies.
The BA Brew crew get to grips with the tricky question of the necessity of requirements. They argue that, when engineered appropriately for the working context, requirements should stand the test of time and not be thrown out with the waterfall bathwater. Listen out for Jonathan’s mini-rant (pattern emerging here) and Debbie’s Use Case Diagram confession. One not to be missed!
Participants: AssistKD’s Debra Paul, Jonathan Hunsley and Mike Williams.
Who better to discuss the key aspects of leadership with than the 2020 BA of the Year? No need then to shell out on a pile of leadership books (unless you want to impress with your Zoom background). ‘Hollow leadership’ is rightly called out and a simple word count will tell you just how important passion, empathy, trust and transparency are, particularly in troubled times.
Participants: AssistKD’s Debra Paul and Jonathan Hunsley with Tazeem Wafa, Business Analyst Manager at the Bank of England and BA of the Year 2020.
The BA Brew crew tackle the age old dilemma of delivering immediate vs. longer term outcomes. If you think MVP is the ‘go to’ acronym of the day, you might want to think again. Prepare yourself for OMBO and for the very switched on cookies amongst you, OMBOC (Optimal Mutually Beneficial Outcome in Context) might become your new mantra. Listen on!
Participants: AssistKD’s Debra Paul, Jonathan Hunsley and Mike Williams.
In our Season 1 Finale, what other subject could our illustrious foursome tackle but “Is there a future for Business Analysis?” Join us for an informed discussion on the integrity and necessity of the BA skillset. Listen out for the BA ‘awkward teenage years’ and just how BAs might save the planet. The revolution starts here!
Participants: AssistKD’s Debra Paul, Jonathan Hunsley and Mike Williams with Adrian Reed of Blackmetric Business Solutions.
For the those of you in need of a BA pick-me-up this podcast is for you. Learn about the Young Business Analysts (YBA) initiative and how this has grown from an initial idea to over 400 members in the space of only a few months. Lots of energy in the room and far too much fun. Sit back and enjoy hearing from the stars of the future; your profession is in good hands.
Participants: AssistKD’s Debra Paul and Jonathan Hunsley with Emma Myers and Lauren Howes, two of the founders of the YBA group. Find out more about YBA here: https://coy.gdt.mybluehost.me/
We look at the book Switch by Chip and Dan Heath, recommended by our latest podcast guest Jo Gray. It’s a beast of a book but we look at the big themes and some well-thought out tactics for realising change. Listen out for the “bright spots” (a nice twist on the normal focus on problems) and Jo’s example of how powerful a visual demonstration of a situation requiring change can be.
Participants: AssistKD’s Jonathan Hunsley and Mike Williams with Jo Gray, Senior Consultant at Socitm Advisory.
“Failing fast” is a software engineering term which has become part of management speak, but does this widely accepted mindset serve any real purpose? We challenge the term and discuss the better approach of “test and learn” where there’s an opportunity to reflect and to find alternative ways forward. Listen out for the Rice Krispie incident – one not to be missed!
Participants: AssistKD’s Debra Paul, Mike Williams and Jonathan Hunsley.
Put the kettle on, the hot topic of virtual facilitation is up for discussion. There’s plenty to think about including the preparation, hard work, behaviours and props required for effective facilitation. Expect a few gems from guest David Beckham (not that one) along the way including Celebrity Squares and what he calls the ‘Depeche Mode’ moment…
Participants: AssistKD’s Debra Paul and Jonathan Hunsley with David Beckham, Principal Consultant at ChuDo Consulting.
Are you a natural networker or does it feel like a chore? Here the AssistKD crew discuss the joys (and perils) of networking in both face to face and virtual environments such as LinkedIn. There are top tips and important watch words along the way for people from all backgrounds. Listen on!
Participants: AssistKD’s Debra Paul, Jonathan Hunsley and Nicole Rayner.
Think “value” is a word you can bandy around loosely? Think again! In our latest podcast we provide that ‘stop and think’ moment to consider what value really means for organisations and customers. The crew look at how value is co-created and the critical role the business analyst has to play in this process. Listen on…
Participants: AssistKD’s Debra Paul, Mike Williams and Pete Thompson.
In the new ‘normal’, for many of us our homes have become our offices. Join us for an honest discussion about the many joys, perils, frustrations and practicalities of working from home including the temptations of the biscuit tin. Expect a useful share of experience… and who knew virtual charades was a thing! Happy listening.
Participants: AssistKD’s Jonathan Hunsley, Mike Williams and Nicole Rayner.
Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, Informed. Could the RACI technique be the most misunderstood and underrated technique in business? In our latest podcast passions run high as we look at how making roles and responsibilities crystal clear is key to empowerment, collaboration and business success. Enjoy the listen.
Participants: AssistKD’s Debra Paul, Mike Williams and Jonathan Hunsley.
In AssistKD’s very first BA Brew we put the kettle on and kicked off by discussing Spencer Johnson’s famous book “Who Moved My Cheese?” and how it speaks to the role of Business Analyst. The book challenges “the way things have always been done around here” and is a timely prompt to rethink how we adapt to radical change. A lively 20 minute discussion, hope you enjoy it!
Participants: AssistKD’s Debra Paul, Mike Williams and Jonathan Hunsley.
A trailer for AssistKD's BA Brew podcast, which is launching on Friday 20th November at 1030. Tune in to hear informal discussions about various topics relevant to business change professionals.