Soft skills are often misunderstood as secondary totechnical expertise, but, in fact, they are fundamental to the success of both business analysis professionals and requirements engineers. In this episode of BusinessAnalysis Live!, we explore how and why soft skills make the difference in requirements elicitation. Susan Moore is joined by guest Stan Bühne from the International Requirements Engineering Board (IREB) to discuss why soft skills aren’t “soft”—they’re essential!

🎙️Episode Highlights

• Introduction to Requirements Engineering
• Overlap Between Business Analysis andRequirements Engineering
• Why Soft Skills Are Critical for Success
• Defining Key Soft Skills for RequirementsEngineering
• The Role of Soft Skills in Agile Environments
• Practical Tips for Improving Soft Skills

🔗 Resources

Connect with Stan on LinkedIn

Follow IREB on LinkedIn

Learn more about the International Requirements Engineering Board

Business Analysis Live is hosted by Susan Moore, CommunityEngagement Manager with the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA). We talk with business analysis professionals about business analysis topics and answer questions from our live audience.

If you enjoyed the episode, don’t forget to hit that Likebutton, subscribe to the channel, and share it with your friends. Your support helps us keep bringing you great content!

The International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA) is anon-profit professional association serving the field of business analysis. As the global thought leader and voice of the business analysis community, IIBA actively supports the recognition of the profession, and works to maintainglobal standards for the ongoing development of the practice and certifications.

Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.iiba.org/

#softskills #humanskills #requirements

Business analysis is evolving—are you keeping up? IIBA hasjust released the next iteration of The Business Analysis Standard, offering a more accessible, practical guide to business analysis that goes beyond just practitioners. This 60-page free business analysis resource simplifies key concepts, making it easier to communicate the value of business analysis, align with leadership, and drive better business outcomes.

In this episode, guest, Tyler Kenny, IIBA Product Manager forthe latest version, joins Susan to share his insights on the evolution of the Standard, key improvements, and how it helps organizations drive better outcomes. Whetheryou're a business analyst, product owner, consultant, or leader, this iteration of the Standard (and this episode) has something for you!

🎙️Episode Highlights

• Introduction to the new Business Analysis Standard

• Why the update was needed

• Key improvements: accessibility, readability, and organizational considerations

• The role of volunteers in shaping the Standard

• How the Standard complements the BABOK Guide

• Future updates and evolving business analysis practices

🔗 Resources

Download The Business Analysis Standard

Connect with Tyler on LinkedIn

Business Analysis Live is hosted by Susan Moore, CommunityEngagement Manager with the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA). We talk with business analysis professionals about business analysis topics and answer questions from our live audience.

If you enjoyed the episode, don’t forget to hit that Likebutton, subscribe to the channel, and share it with your friends. Your support helps us keep bringing you great content!

The International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA) is anon-profit professional association serving the field of business analysis. As the global thought leader and voice of the business analysis community, IIBA actively supports the recognition of the profession, and works to maintainglobal standards for the ongoing development of the practice and certifications.

Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.iiba.org/

#BusinessAnalysisStandard #BACommunity #businessanalysis

Decision-making is an essential skill in both personal andprofessional life, yet many of us struggle with it. Overthinking, fear, and uncertainty often cloud our judgment, making it difficult to take action. In this episode of Business Analysis Live!, host Susan Moore speaks with author, speaker and coach, Lison Mage, about breaking free from overthinking and making more effective decisions. We also explore the impact of fear, the importance of emotional intelligence, and how storytelling enhances decision-making. You won’t want to miss this episode!

🎙️Episode Highlights

• Introduction to decision-making and overthinking
• Guest: Lison Mage author of Act Before YouOverthink and speaker
• Myths of overthinking and how they affectdecisions
• Role of fear in decision-making
• Emotional intelligence and its impact on choices
• How storytelling influences decision-making
• The importance of process vs. outcome indecisions
• Strategies to improve decision-making skills

🔗 Resources

Connect with Lison on LinkedIn

Find out more about Lison

Business Analysis Live is hosted by Susan Moore, CommunityEngagement Manager with the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA). We talk with business analysis professionals about business analysis topics and answer questions from our live audience.

If you enjoyed the episode, don’t forget to hit that Likebutton, subscribe to the channel, and share it with your friends. Your support helps us keep bringing you great content!

The International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA) is anon-profit professional association serving the field of business analysis. As the global thought leader and voice of the business analysis community, IIBA actively supports the recognition of the profession, and works to maintainglobal standards for the ongoing development of the practice and certifications.

Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.iiba.org/

#businessanalysis #decisionmaking #overthinking#emotionalintelligence

Prioritization is more than just sorting a to-do list—it'sabout making decisions about what you will and won’t do. In this episode, Susan talks with Kent McDonald, speaker, author and product management practitioner, about the myths and misconceptions around prioritization.  

Kent brings years of experience in product management,business analysis, and agile methodologies to the discussion. He’s seen a lot of prioritization issues over all those years! We explore the difference between prioritization and sequencing, why "priority" isn’t always singular, and how filters—not buckets—can help organizations make betterdecisions.

You’ll learn how to challenge traditional prioritizationtechniques, ask the right questions to uncover true business objectives, and ensure that your backlog is a strategic tool rather than a cluttered wish list. If you’ve ever struggled with stakeholder demands, competing priorities, orbacklog bloat, this conversation is for you!

🎙️Episode Highlights

• The misconceptions about prioritization

• Why organizations struggle with defining priorities

• The difference between prioritization and sequencing

• How to apply a filters, not buckets approach

• Why business analysts play a key role in prioritization

• The power of focusing on outcomes, not just lists

• Why popular frameworks like MoSCoW and RICE can be misleading

• How to navigate stakeholder resistance when making prioritization decisions

🔗 Resources

Connect withKent on LinkedIn

Read Kent’s article on prioritization that inspired this discussion

Business Analysis Live is hosted by Susan Moore, CommunityEngagement Manager with the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA). We talk with business analysis professionals about business analysis topics and answer questions from our live audience.

If you enjoyed the episode, don’t forget to hit that Likebutton, subscribe to the channel, and share it with your friends. Your support helps us keep bringing you great content!

The International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA) is anon-profit professional association serving the field of business analysis. As the global thought leader and voice of the business analysis community, IIBA actively supports the recognition of the profession, and works to maintainglobal standards for the ongoing development of the practice and certifications.

Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.iiba.org/

#BusinessAnalysis #Prioritization #Agile

In this episode of Business Analysis Live!, Susan chats with IIBA Partner Manager Koketso Chaba- and BA COE (Center of Excellence) Manager, Wilna Coetzee, to explore how business analysts can successfully navigate strategy changes within their organizations. Our guest shares insights and lessons on how their strong COE gave them an advantage by enabling them to sense and respond to change without significant disruption. Wilna shares how a focus on foundational business analysis skills, good metrics and leadership support makes an organization “nimble” and more resilient when change happens.

🎙️Episode Highlights

• The role of a Business Analysis Center of Excellence

• Foundational skills for adapting to strategy shifts

• Collaborating across multiple Centers of Excellence

• Recruiting and developing future-fit business analysts

• How analytics and data drive business analysis success

🔗 Resources

Connect with Wilna Coetzee on LinkedIn

Connect with Koketso Chaba-Matibidi on Linkedin

Business Analysis Live is hosted by Susan Moore, Community Engagement Manager with the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA). We talk with business analysis professionals about business analysis topics and answer questions from our live audience.

If you enjoyed the episode, don’t forget to hit that Like button, subscribe to the channel, and share it with your friends. Your support helps us keep bringing you great content!

The International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA) is a non-profit professional association serving the field of business analysis. As the global thought leader and voice of the business analysis community, IIBA actively supports the recognition of the profession, and works to maintain global standards for the ongoing development of the practice and certifications.

Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.iiba.org/

In this episode Susan Moore and guest Laura Brandenburg, founder and CEO of Bridging the Gap, discuss how having a structured approach to business analysis can improve the outcomes, quality and value of our work. This approach can also lead to more confidence and credibility for the business analysis professionals.  Laura introduces one such

The conversation highlights how frameworks complement project, software development and agile methodologies, adapt to various project contexts, and support both new and experienced BAs in delivering impactful outcomes.

✨Episode Highlights:

• What a business analysis framework is and why it's essential for practitioners.

• How to navigate the complexities of project management and software development frameworks while maintaining your unique business analysis approach.

• The benefits of being proactive and strategic in your role as a business analyst.

• A preview of Laura's upcoming three-part IIBA webinar series, "The Business Analyst Framework for Success," where she will break down an eight-step framework designed to help you excel in your business analysis work.

🔗 Resources:

Business Analysis Live! is hosted by Susan Moore, Community Engagement Manager with the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA). She talks with business analysis professionals about business analysis

If you enjoyed the episode, don’t forget to hit that Like

The International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA) is a

Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.iiba.org/

#BusinessAnalysis #FrameworkForSuccess #ProfessionalGrowth

As we start 2025, Susan looks back at the most memorable moments from Business Analysis Live! In this special episode she shares the top five episodes from 2024, with these experts:

🏆 Top 5 2024 Episodes

5. What is Business Architecture? (with Roger Burlton)

4. Working With Developers (with Tamara Copple)

3. What is Requirements Management? (with Jenn Bedell)

2. AI For Business Analysis (with Vince Mirabelli)

1. How To Do Business Analysis (with Howard Podeswa)

And we invited a few guest co-hosts to join us on topics they are passionate about:

🎤 Episodes With Guest Co-Hosts

(with co-host Fabricio Laguna)

s (with co-host Andy Grazebrook)

(with co-host Blake Heggestad)

It’s also been a year of transformation for the podcast, with a big change that’s shaped our upcoming season (Season 4!). Don’t miss this chance to reflect on last year and get a glimpse of what’s ahead!

Business Analysis Live is hosted by Susan Moore, Community Engagement Manager with the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA). We talk with business analysis professionals about business analysis topics and answer questions from our live audience.

If you enjoyed the episode, don’t forget to hit that Like button, subscribe to the channel, and share it with your friends. Your support helps us keep bringing you great content!

The International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA) is a non-profit professional association serving the field of business analysis. As the global thought leader and voice of the business analysis community, IIBA actively supports the recognition of the profession, and works to maintain global standards for the ongoing development of the practice and certifications.

Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.iiba.org/

#BusinessAnalysis #BestOf #Podcast

In this episode of Business Analysis Live!, Susan Moore, Community Engagement Manager at IIBA, speaks with Laura Paton, a LinkedIn Learning instructor, speaker, and trainer, about the critical role of communication in successful business analysis.

In this episode of Business Analysis Live!, Susan talks with Stuart Mullinger, business analysis practitioner, speaker and  a self-proclaimed "business analysis community cheerleader” to talk about the importance and power of community in the business analysis profession. We explore how professional relationships, and collaboration can elevate both individual analysts, organizations and the profession.

We discuss strategies for building meaningful connections with colleagues, overcoming collaboration challenges, and expanding perspectives through diverse professional networks.

Episode Highlights

RESOURCES:

Connect with Stu on LinkedIn

Business Analysis Live is hosted by Susan Moore, Community Engagement Manager with the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA). We talk with business analysis professionals about business analysis topics and answer questions from our live audience.

If you enjoyed the episode, don’t forget to hit that Like button, subscribe to the channel, and share it with your friends. Your support helps us keep bringing you great content!

The International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA) is a non-profit professional association serving the field of business analysis. As the global thought leader and voice of the business analysis community, IIBA actively supports the recognition of the profession, and works to maintain global standards for the ongoing development of the practice and certifications.

Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠https://www.iiba.org/

#businessanalysis #community #collaboration

In this episode of Business Analysis Live!, host, Susan Moore, talks with Dan Funk and Alex Herron from Sartography, a business process automation company, about business process models and why they matter to the work of business analysis. Hosted by Susan Moore, Community Engagement Manager at the International Institute of Business Analysis, this episode unpacks the key role of process models in driving project success and improving communication across teams.

We also talk about introducing process modeling into your work, particularly where you may have some resistance to using them. With plenty of real-world examples, we highlight how business process models can drive better communication, improve decision-making, enhance collaboration, and contribute to more successful project outcomes.

Episode Highlights:

Business Analysis Live is hosted by Susan Moore, Community Engagement Manager with the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA). We talk with business analysis professionals about business analysis topics and answer questions from our live audience.

If you enjoyed the episode, don’t forget to hit that Like button, subscribe to the channel, and share it with your friends. Your support helps us keep bringing you great content!

#businessanalysis #businessprocess #processmodeling