Business Analysis Live!

What is a Solutions Architect, and how do you become one? In this episode, Susan Moore sits down with Solutions Architect, Sachin Bhoria, who shares his journey from business analysis to solutions architecture. We dig into the technical and human skills needed for the work and the surprising role that curiosity and trust play in solving business problems.

If you’ve ever wondered how this role bridges strategy and technology—or if you’re considering it as your next career step—this conversation is full of insights you won’t want to miss.

🎙️Episode Highlights• What does a Solutions Architect do?• Your transferable skills from business analysis• The role of curiosity in solutions architecture work• Working with a tech stack (hello Microsoft!)• Building relationships and stakeholder trust• Spotting opportunities for process improvement• Certifications and career tips• Balancing business needs with technical solutions🔗 Resources• Connect with Susan on LinkedIn• Connect with Sachin on LinkedIn• Listen to episode #56 Launching Your Business Analysis Career with guest Sachin Bhoria• Listen to episode #81 What is a Functional Consultant? with guest AJ HawleyBusiness 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 #SolutionsArchitect #CareerGrowth

What if the secret to delivering real value isn’t doing more, but thinking differently?In this episode of Business Analysis Live, I sit down with friend, storyteller, and author, Fabrício Laguna — the Brazilian BA — to explore the power of outcome-driven thinking. We talk about why focusing on outcomes (not just outputs) changes how we work, connect, and deliver change, and how this mindset can transform not only our projects, but our organizations and careers.Fabrício shares insights from his new book Please Hold: The Power of Outcome-Driven Thinking, blending the business analysis mindset with the art of storytelling. We talk about empathy, purpose, collaboration, and what it takes to move from “just doing tasks” to truly enabling change.🎙️Episode Highlights• How Fabricio defines outcome-driven vs. output-driven mindsets• Why storytelling is a powerful business analysis tool• The role of empathy in achieving better outcomes• How business analysis techniques build “muscle memory” for critical thinking• Connecting personal purpose to organizational goals• Encouraging collaboration and shared perspectives• Practical examples of shifting to an outcome focus🔗 Resources

Connect with Susan on LinkedIn

Connect with Fabricio on LinkedIn

Learn more about Fabricio at https://thebrazilianba.com/

Download a free preview edition of Please Hold: The Powerof Outcome-Driven Thinking

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 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 #OutcomeDriven #Leadership

Welcome to the 100th episode of Business Analysis Live! 🎉 In this milestone conversation, Susan Moore is joined by Laura Paton, LinkedIn Learning instructor, author and speaker, to explore the sometimes-confusing relationship between business analysts and project managers. We talk about common misunderstandings, areas of overlap, and how BAs and PMs can support each other for better outcomes. Laura gives lots of practical advice for navigating agile vs. waterfall approaches, transitioning roles, and expanding your career using business analysis competencies. Whether you work regularly with project managers or wear both hats yourself, this episode offers insights into how you can have better communication, collaboration, and outcomes with your project management partners. 🎙️Episode Highlights• Common misconceptions between BAs and PMs• How organizational context affects business analysis and project manager roles • Transferable skills between business analysis and project management• Collaboration tips for working with project managers early in an initiative• Areas of overlap including risk management and business analysis planning and monitoring• Advice on how business analysis professionals can assist project managers with managing up and seeing around corners• Project Managers, Scrum Masters, and Business Analysts. Oh my! • Expanding your business analysis career path into project management (or another path)• Business analysts and project managers working in non-IT environments• Portfolio and program management explained

🔗 Resources

• Connect with Susan on LinkedIn
• Connect with Laura on Linkedin
• Find Laura’s latest course on projectmanagement communication with business analysts on LinkedIn
• Check out IIBA’s career specialization wheel for the kinds of roles that require business analysis skills

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 #ProjectManagement #AgileLeadership

In this episode of Business Analysis Live, Susan Moore is joined by Salesforce consultant and business analysis advocate Vanessa Grant to talk about what business analysis looks like when working with enterprise platforms, like Salesforce. They explore the evolving role of BAs in low-code/no-code environments and how business analysis work is critical even when it seems invisible.

Vanessa shares her journey into the Salesforce ecosystem,the importance of business analysis planning, how technical debt creeps into platform implementations, and the adjacent skills business analysis professional need to grow from junior to senior roles. Whether you're a business analyst, product owner, admin, or just curious about business analysis for low code/no code enterprise platforms (not just Salesforce!),this conversation delivers practical insights with humor, honesty, and plenty of real-world examples.

Don't forget to check out the Salesforce Business Analysis Trailblazer community that Vanessa discussed for more resources and networking opportunities. Link in the Resources section.

🎙️Episode Highlights

· Defining the role of business analysts inlow-code/no-code platforms

· Why business analysis is essential but ofteninvisible

· Technical debt and the cost of skipping analysis

· Skills that separate senior BAs from junior ones

· Building respect for the BA role throughplanning and collaboration

· Writing effective user stories and thinking likea developer

· Navigating stakeholder dynamics and platformconstraints

· The rise of AI and the future of junior businessanalysis roles

· The value of soft skills and empathy in techprojects

🔗 ResourcesConnect with Susan on LinkedInConnect with Vanessa on LinkedInSalesforce Business Analysis Trailblazer CommunityBusiness 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 #LowCodeNoCode #SalesforceBA

In this episode of Business Analysis Live, Susan Moore is joined by Iryna Sizikova, a business analysis leader in the medical device space, for a discussion into what it really takes to work in one of the most regulated, complex, and impactful industries out there - healthcare.

Iryna shares her 18-year journey from junior analyst toshaping cross-organizational processes for a global medical device company. Along the way, she breaks down what makes healthcare different: the number of stakeholders, the constant need for documentation, and the critical role ofcompliance. From regulatory submissions and ISO standards to agile in a regulated environment, Iryna offers valuable insights into compliance, documentation, stakeholder collaboration, and why curiosity is your strongestskill in this field.

🎙️Episode Highlights

• The impact of domain and regulatory context on business analysis• Types of stakeholders in healthcare projects• Handling compliance with multiple regulatory agencies and standards• The importance of documentation, traceability, and audit readiness• Strategies for translating complex terminology• Cross-functional collaboration with developers, regulatory, and quality teams• How business analysis professionals support risk mitigation and product safety• Advice for entering and growing in the healthcare domain🔗 ResourcesConnect with Iryna on LinkedInLearn more about the *Business Analysis Core Concept Model *I accidentally referred to this as the Business Analysis Core Competency Model, which is a different thing. 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.#BusinessAnalysis #HealthcareProjects #RegulatoryCompliance

In this episode of Business Analysis Live, Susan Moore sits down with Tyler Kenny, the product manager behind the evolution of the ECBA (Entry Certificate in Business Analysis). Go behind the scenes to learn why the ECBA has changed, how AI and shifting workplace expectations influenced its redesign, and what it means to be "real-world ready" as a foundational business analyst today. Whether you’re a candidate, hiring manager, or leader in the business analysis community, this conversation breaks down what you need to know.

🎙️Episode Highlights

• Why the ECBA was updated and the factors that shaped the thinking behind how to change it

• Understanding the difference between a certificate and certification

• The focus on applied knowledge vs. memorization in the new exam

• The growing importance of strategy at all career levels

• How the ECBA supports new professionals entering the workforce

• A behind-the-scenes look of the development and validation processes

• Resources to help candidates prepare for the ECBA

• Balancing employer expectations and candidate readiness

• What the evolution of the ECBA means for the profession

🔗 Resources

• Connect with Tyler on LinkedIn

• Access additional ECBA resources on the IIBA website

• Watch to the Business Analysis Live! episode where Tyler talks about the latest version of the Business Analysis Standard

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 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 maintain global standards for the ongoing development of the practice and certifications.

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

#BusinessAnalysis #ECBA #AIandWorkplace

In this episode of Business Analysis Live, we explore the power of structured, standardized content in the age of generative AI. Susan Moore (IIBA) is joined by Stephanie De Waegenaere from Information Mapping to discuss how a decades-old methodology can dramatically improve how AI tools like ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot perform.

Learn why structured content isn't enough on its own, how to treat AI as a stakeholder in your documentation process, and why information mapping might just be the secret sauce for business analysts working with AI.

Whether you're struggling with hallucinations in your AI output or looking to improve the ROI on documentation efforts, this conversation is packed with insights you won't want to miss.

🎙️Episode Highlights

· What is information mapping and why it matters

·  Structure vs. standardization in documentation

·  Real-world AI performance tests with structured content

·  Treating AI as a stakeholder

·  Data mapping vs. information mapping

·  AI tool comparisons: ChatGPT vs. Microsoft Copilot

·  Security and sensitivity in AI usage

·  Future of information mapping with AI integration

🔗 Resources

Connect with Stephanie on LinkedIn

Find out more about the Information Mapping methodology

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 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 maintain global standards for the ongoing development of the practice and certifications.

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

#InformationMapping #GenerativeAI #BusinessAnalysis

In this episode of Business Analysis Live, Susan Moore is joined by Kent McDonald—freelance product manager, author, and speaker—for a candid conversation on what business analysis professionals really need to understand about agile. Together, they explore the evolution (and dilution) of agile practices, the confusion around roles like product owner vs. business analyst, and how professionals can navigate agile environments without getting lost in jargon or rigid frameworks.

You’ll hear real-world stories, practical advice, and a refreshing perspective on how business analysis professionals can meet the real definition of agile - supporting better collaboration, faster learning, and meaningful outcomes for their teams.

If you've ever felt boxed in by "the agile way" or wondered how to demonstrate your impact as a business analysis professional — this episode is for you!

🎯 Episode Highlights

• The history and intent behind agile

• Why agile feels broken in many organizations

• Common myths about agile and business analysis roles

• How to demonstrate impact instead of talking about "value"

• Understanding the important role context plays in agile approaches

• Why collaboration and feedback matter more than ceremonies

• Making stealth business analysis contributions that support the team

• Advice for aligning your work with how your organization makes money

• Why you should stop saying "agile" and just focus on working better

🔗 Resources

• Connect with Kent on LinkedIn
• See Kent at BBC

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 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 maintain global standards for the ongoing development of the practice and certifications.

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

#BusinessAnalysis #Agile #ProductManagement

In this episode of Business Analysis Live!, Susan Moore is joined by Deirdre Caren, Founder and Director of Agora Insights Ltd, for an in-depth conversation about the evolving role of business analysts in the age of AI. They discuss what it means to treat AI as a stakeholder, not just a tool, and why documenting alone is no longer enough to call yourself a business analysis professional in the AI era. They unpack the concept of prompt engineering—highlighting how business analysts are already well-equipped for it—and explore the mindset shifts required to adapt through learning and unlearning. The conversation turns to the value of context making, the importance of conceptual models, and how AI can enhance human skills rather than replace them. You’ll also hear about real examples of AI agents trained for business analysis and architecture roles, and how BAs can play a key part in shaping AI strategy within their organizations. Whether you're curious, cautious, or fully immersed in AI, this episode will inspire you to think critically about your future in the profession.

🎙️Episode Highlights

• What it means to treat AI as a stakeholder
• Why documenting isn’t enough in the AI era
• The role of prompt engineering and how BAs are already doing it
• Adapting to change through learning and unlearning
• Data, context, and the importance of conceptual models
• Real examples of AI agents trained for BA and architecture roles
• How AI enhances—not replaces—human skills
• Empowering BAs to influence AI strategy within organizations

🔗 Resources

• Connect with Deirdre on LinkedIn
• Learn more about Agora Insights and their offerings
• Read from Deirdre’s AI Library

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 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 maintain global standards for the ongoing development of the practice and certifications.

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

#BusinessAnalysis #ArtificialIntelligence #FutureOfWork

In this episode of Business Analysis Live, Susan Moore is joined by business analysis practitioner, speaker and author, Pamela Paterson for a discussion into how AI and human skills combine to elevate stakeholder interviews. From tactical planning to empathy-driven conversations, discover how AI can be your trusted research assistant, while your human skills will help you uncover the “hidden” information in every interview. Pam shares insights from her upcoming book and real-world examples of how business analysts can harness both technology and emotional intelligence to drive better outcomes from their interviews.

Whether you're new to interviewing or a seasoned BA, this conversation will shift how you approach interviews in an AI-augmented world.

🎙️Episode Highlights

• What makes an effective stakeholder interview
• The role of empathy, curiosity, and trust
• The “Empathy, Appreciation, and Demand” communication stack
• How to use AI as a research and analysis assistant
• Prompt engineering as a business analysis skill
• Transcribing and mining interview data with AI
• Using AI to generate user stories and test cases
• The human edge in interpreting emotions and body language
• Practicing interview skills using AI
• The importance of stakeholder rapport and reciprocity

🔗 Resources

Connect with Pamela on LinkedIn

Meet Pamela at an upcoming event!

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 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 maintain global standards for the ongoing development of the practice and certifications.

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

#BusinessAnalysis #ArtificialIntelligence #HumanSkills