Shadow IT: The Secret Weapon – Top 10 Ways Business Analysts Can Use It For Good

Think Shadow IT is just a security risk? Think again. In this week’s episode of The Better Business Analyst, I’m breaking down the Top 10 ways Shadow IT can actually help you become a better BA and drive smarter business change.

We’ll cover:

1. Spotting Shadow IT – What it is and where to find it

2. Understanding Why It Happens – The hidden gaps it exposes

3. Balancing Risk and Reward – The real dangers (and hidden upsides)

4. Innovation in Disguise – How unofficial tools spark new ideas

5. Pain Point Radar – Why Shadow IT is your best early warning system

6. Mapping the Underground – Surfacing and tracking shadow tools safely

7. Building Trust – Turning “gotchas” into open conversations

8. From Hack to Prototype – Turning grassroots solutions into real value

9. Triaging What to Keep, Kill, or Scale – Practical decision-making tips

10. Citizen Development – The rise of low-code and how BAs can lead the way

Tune in for stories, practical examples, and the honest, no-fluff take on how to turn those rogue spreadsheets and apps into your secret weapon for business improvement.

Ready to see Shadow IT in a whole new light? Listen now.