Business Analysis Live!

By International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA)Business Non-Profit

Business Analysis Live! episodes

October 03, 2023 Agile Backlog Management: The Rock Crusher
How you do you effectively manage the backlog? Susan and Scott talk with Steve Adolph, one of the authors of The Rock Crusher, about were backlogs fail to deliver on their value. They chat about where the Analyst role fits in this agile space to meet the needs of the team and organization.

In the book, it describes “Many organizations eliminated analyst roles in their rush to adopt agile as a development cost-reduction strategy. In the minds of many, the product owner role made analysts redundant. Unfortunately, many organizations that followed this path were soon harshly reminded of why the analyst role emerged in the first place.” Steve shares his views on this an many more in this Business Analysis Live episode.

RESOURCES:
Book - https://www.iiba.org/career-resources/business-analysis-resources/iiba-bookstore/#purchase-rockcrusher
Brochure - https://www.iiba.org/globalassets/career-resources/business-analysis-resources/iiba-bookstore/files/rock-crusher-brochure.pdf
Infographic - https://www.iiba.org/contentassets/67f0d367b1ba4b0c9ba089f6667284b3/rock-crusher---backlog-infograph.pdf

Do you have questions about this topic or have an idea for a different topic? Ask us a question at ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ or leave us a ⁠⁠voice message⁠⁠ on our podcast homepage.

Business Analysis Live is hosted by:
- Susan Moore, Community Engagement Manager at IIBA
- Scott Bennett, Manager, Business Analysis at IIBA

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 #backlog #agile #backlogmanagement
41 min
September 26, 2023 The 3 E's of Business Analysis
Susan and Scott talk to the organizers of the Festival of Business Analysis in Australia about the 3 E’s of business analysis. They also talk with three of the speakers that will be at the festival in person and online to get a sense of what to expect from this conference.
1) Evolve – Sam Bowtell, who will be speaking about effective hybrid working techniques
2) Empathise – Phil Delalande, focusing on UX design
3) Emerge – Ruth Lewis, who is a qualified futurist, and will be speaking about ethical AI use and a certification program for AI auditors
This is both an in-person event and an online event with recordings available for 6 months after the event. Use the discount code BALIVE to get 10% off your ticket purchase.

Get more information on the Festival of Business Analysis, the agenda and incredible list of speakers here: https://festivalofbusinessanalysis.org/

RESOURCES:
Australia IIBA Chapter https://australia.iiba.org/
Sam Bowtell - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-bowtell-cst-b92a56/
Phil Delalande - https://www.linkedin.com/in/phildelalande/
Ruth Lewis - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruth-lewis-4239385/
Do you have questions about this topic or have an idea for a different topic? Ask us a question at ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ or leave us a ⁠⁠voice message⁠⁠ on our podcast homepage.

Business Analysis Live is hosted by:
- Susan Moore, Community Engagement Manager at IIBA
- Scott Bennett, Manager, Business Analysis at IIBA

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 #conference #training #FOBA2023
38 min
September 19, 2023 Finding Transferable Skills
In our recent livestream discussion, we talked with Laura Brandenburg from Bridging the Gap about transferable skills. This is for both the aspiring business analysis professional and the experienced professional looking to grow their team. We started the discussion about crafting resumes. To highlight transferrable skills, we should prioritize showcasing our achievements over merely listing responsibilities. By spotlighting our accomplishments, we can effectively shine a light on our soft skills and underlying competencies, presenting a more holistic view of our abilities.
As senior BAs, we explored how we can assist our junior counterparts in cultivating transferable skills. This involves providing opportunities for them to actively participate in meetings and gradually assume more responsibilities in projects. By doing so, they can showcase their skills in practical contexts.
We also touched on the topic of transitioning into industries where we lack domain expertise. We recognized the need to highlight our ability to quickly grasp new concepts, ask pertinent questions, and effectively collaborate with domain experts. Building a network within the target industry is a good way to open doors and navigate past initial HR screening processes that may screen based on industry experience.
During the conversation, the value of Toastmasters International as a program for enhancing communication skills was mentioned. Gaining Toastmasters certifications can demonstrate communication competencies, a skill fundamental to our roles as business analysis professionals.
RESOURCES:
Laura’s YouTube Channel, Bridging the Gap – @bridgingthegapba
Laura’s website https://www.bridging-the-gap.com/
Do you have questions about this topic or have an idea for a different topic? Ask us a question at ⁠[email protected]⁠ or leave us a ⁠voice message⁠ on our podcast homepage.

Business Analysis Live is hosted by: - Susan Moore, Community Engagement Manager at IIBA - Scott Bennett, Manager, Business Analysis at IIBA
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 #transferableskills #softskills
41 min
September 12, 2023 Effective Change Management
Is facilitating change easy?  No!  Susan and Scott dig into the topic of change management with the authors of Brainy Glue, Ian Richards and Filip Hendrickx. They emphasize the importance of introducing and managing change effectively within organizations and highlight the role of Business Analysis professionals in facilitating this process.

For effective change management, it’s important to have a clear vision when initiating change.  This requires the participation of stakeholders to understand different perspectives and generate ideas for solutions.  Change doesn’t happen without impact and resistance.

The book “Brainy Glue: Making Change Stick”, is written different than others in that it is a story.  It has a plot that follows a business analyst through her challenges throughout her assignment and includes various characters that bring various perspectives to live.  There are over 30 techniques illustrated, so the book is not only entertaining and insightful, but it’s also very practical.

One of the areas that appealed to Scott is the concept of the "first follower" - a supporter who can rally others behind a new idea or initiative. Filip discusses the QR code in the book that links to a video featuring a lone dancer at a festival who is eventually joined by others, demonstrating the power of followership in driving change.

The book itself is a powerful example of a change management tool, storytelling.  It’s a technique that can be used tor convey the importance of change, making it relatable, and building rapport with stakeholders.

One question from the audience revolves around the evaluation of the need for Organizational Change Management (OCM) in a project. The hosts suggest that the scale of the impact, the number of people affected, and the readiness of individuals for change should be considered when determining the level of OCM required. They also emphasize that even smaller projects can benefit from some level of change management.

Another audience question addresses the challenge of getting people to express their true opinions during change initiatives. The hosts recommend focusing not only on what people say but also on their actions. Encouraging individuals to actively participate in small parts of the change process can reveal their true sentiments and level of commitment.

A final question relates to customizing change initiatives to an organization's culture. The hosts express the desire for change management to become an integral part of an organization's culture. They advocate for smaller, more frequent changes, as they are often easier to adapt to and provide opportunities for individuals to contribute to improvements.

Effective change management is a critical component of any successful organization. It involves clear communication, engaging stakeholders, identifying and addressing resistance, and making change relatable through storytelling. Business Analysis professionals are seen as essential players in this process, helping organizations navigate the complex landscape of change and ensuring that it aligns with their goals and culture.

RESOURCES:
Learn more about the book and where to buy it https://brainyglue.com/

Do you have questions about this topic or have an idea for a different topic? Ask us a question at ⁠[email protected]⁠ or leave us a ⁠voice message⁠ on our podcast homepage.

Business Analysis Live is hosted by: - Susan Moore, Community Engagement Manager at IIBA - Scott Bennett, Manager, Business Analysis at IIBA
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 #change #brainyglue #changemanagement
43 min
August 22, 2023 Building Confidence In Your Career
This is a discussion about building confidence, imposter syndrome, and self-doubt. Susan and Scott talk with Paula Bell about the multifaceted nature of confidence, highlighting its impact on personal and professional success. Confidence isn't just a surface-level trait but is deeply connected to one's self-awareness and understanding of their value.Imposter syndrome is a common phenomenon where individuals doubt their abilities and fear being exposed as a fraud. Paula shares her thoughts on how individuals tend to compare themselves to others' achievements and metrics. She stresses the importance of embracing one's uniqueness and focusing on personal growth and value rather than external validation. Confidence is a critical trait essential for career advancement. It affects people differently depending on their background – their upbringing, environment, and culture. But how do you stop worrying about what other people think about you? Susan, Scott, and Paula chat about channeling energy into self-awareness and introspection, suggesting that understanding one's own value is key. We all need time for self reflection and personal growth.
RESOURCES: Support Paula on her YouTuber journey and subscribe to her channel @BAMartialArtist where she shares rich information about business analysis
Do you have questions about this topic or have an idea for a different topic? Ask us a question at ⁠[email protected]⁠ or leave us a ⁠voice message⁠ on our podcast homepage.
Business Analysis Live is hosted by:
- Susan Moore, Community Engagement Manager at IIBA
- Scott Bennett, Manager, Business Analysis at IIBA
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 #confidence #career
44 min
August 08, 2023 Solving the Wrong Problem
We discuss effective problem solving with Khethelo Malinga, who presented at the Building Business Capabilities (BBC) conference on the topic. We talk though challenges of why problem solving can be difficult and how to overcome them in organizations. We also take live questions from viewers on LinkedIn live.
RESOURCES:
- Book: Bulletproof Problem Solving – free access to the book and audio book for IIBA members here
https://iiba.skillport.com/skillportfe/main.action?path=summary/BOOKS/146210 or you can find the book on Amazon.
Do you have questions about this topic or have an idea for a different topic? Ask us a question at ⁠[email protected]⁠ or leave us a ⁠voice message⁠ on our podcast homepage.
Business Analysis Live is hosted by:
- Susan Moore, Community Engagement Manager at IIBA
- Scott Bennett, Manager, Business Analysis at IIBA
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/⁠
#problem #problemsolving #solvingproblems #businessanalysis
43 min
July 25, 2023 What is Strategy Analysis?
Susan and Scott talk with Laura Paton about strategy analysis. They discuss the role of business analysis professionals in strategy analysis and the skills required for this work. They highlight the need for experience and the ability to work with executives, facilitate meetings efficiently, use various techniques for eliciting and analyzing information, and effective communication. They also mention specific techniques like the Business Model Canvas and SWOT analysis used in strategy analysis.
Are you curious why Strategy Analysis is Chapter 6 and not before the other knowledge areas in the BABOK Guide? Tune in to find out!
Laura Paton was the past Chair of the BABOK Guide V3. She is an author and trainer that has several videos LinkedIn Learning, including one about strategy analysis.
RESOURCES:
- Strategy Analysis LinkedIn Course (free for a limited time) - https://www.linkedin.com/learning/business-analysis-foundations-strategy-analysis
- Find more of Laura's LinkedIn Learning courses - https://www.linkedin.com/learning/instructors/laura-paton

Do you have questions about this topic or have an idea for a different topic? Ask us a question at [email protected] or leave us a voice message on our podcast homepage.
Business Analysis Live is hosted by:
- Susan Moore, Community Engagement Manager at IIBA
- Scott Bennett, Manager, Business Analysis at IIBA
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 #businessanalyst #strategyanalysis #babokguide
44 min
July 11, 2023Requirements Engineering and Business Analysis
Susan and Scott discuss requirements engineering and business analysis. Our guest is Stan Buehne from the International Requirements Engineering Board (IREB). IREB is a nonprofit organization based in Germany that focuses on promoting and improving the discipline of requirements engineering.
Stan discusses the importance of requirements engineering in various industries, such as automotive, aviation, and medical domains. He emphasizes the need for precision and accuracy in documenting requirements to ensure the development of high-quality solutions. Requirements engineering also involves managing and handling changing requirements over time.
The conversation touches on the term "engineering" in requirements engineering and its association with the discipline's focus on precise documentation and creating shared understanding between stakeholders, developers, and architects.
The discussion also explores:
the relevance of requirements engineering in agile environments and the need for value-oriented documentation and risk reduction

the difference between user requirements and system requirements, as well as functional requirements and non-functional requirements

the impact of AI on requirements engineering, both in terms of AI supporting the requirements engineering process and the challenges of validating AI-generated content

the alignment of requirements engineering with the agile mindset
RESOURCES:
- IREB https://www.ireb.org
- Glossary https://www.ireb.org/en/cpre/glossary/
- Requirements Management Tools https://makingofsoftware.com/resources/list-of-rm-tools/
Business Analysis Live is hosted by:
- Susan Moore, Community Engagement Manager at IIBA
- Scott Bennett, Manager, Business Analysis at IIBA
Do you have questions about this topic or have an idea for a different topic? Ask us a question at [email protected] or leave us a voice message on our podcast homepage.

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 #requirementsengineering #IREB
41 min
June 27, 2023 Career Paths for Business Analysis
Our guest, Maria Montgomery, is a business analysis expert from Australia, who has been in the field for over a decade. Maria expresses her passion for coaching and sharing her knowledge through her book on business analysis: The Art of Getting Business Analysis Right
Maria shares a graphic representing different career paths in business analysis. She explains that career progressions in business analysis are similar to technical analysis, but with some distinctions. Technical analysts tend to focus on technical knowledge and may progress into technical or management roles. Business analysts, on the other hand, have a broader range of career paths, including lead business analyst roles, strategic analysis, business architecture, and relationship building.
The conversation explores the role of relationship building in business analysis, which is becoming increasingly important in agile environments. Maria mentions the emergence of roles such as technology engagement partners, who bridge the gap between technology and business, helping to align projects with business objectives.
The discussion also highlights the importance of communication, collaboration, and stakeholder management skills in relationship building. Maria shares her own role as a technology engagement manager, where she focuses on building relationships and acting as a conduit between technology and business.
Maria advises helping individuals grow in the areas they enjoy rather than forcing them into management roles. She suggests exploring paths such as lead business analyst, strategic analysis, business architecture, or pursuing roles that involve technology and business integration.
RESOURCES:
- Book - The Art of Getting Business Analysis Right - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BYYS13Z2?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_751ZX7YP94WY0MTJ495P
- IIBA’s Business Analysis Specialization Diagram - https://www.iiba.org/career-resources/business-analysis-specialization/
- Maria Montgomery's website - https://www.mariamontgomery.net/
- Watch the video podcast version to view the career progression diagram - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3a2P-l8bwA
Do you have questions about this topic or have an idea for a different topic? Ask us a question at [email protected] or leave us a voice message on our podcast homepage.
Business Analysis Live is hosted by:
- Susan Moore, Community Engagement Manager at IIBA
- Scott Bennett, Manager, Business Analysis at IIBA
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 #career #careerpath
36 min
June 13, 2023Start Your Business Analysis Career With Certification
Whether transitioning from another profession or starting your first professional job, we discuss how certification can help start your business analysis career.  We answer questions from our live audience about making this change.

The Entry Certificate in Business Analysis (ECBA) is a professional certification offered by the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA).  This is a globally recognized certification designed for people who don’t have experience in the business analysis profession.  It demonstrates to leadership and professional employers that you have an understanding of business analysis and demonstrates your commitment to working in the profession.

We talk about the benefits of certifications, such as enhancing credibility and making job seekers more findable.  The ECBA certification is based on the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge (BABOK) Guide.  The BABOK guide is free for IIBA members, but can be purchased separately for studying for ECBA certification for those who are not IIBA members.

Networking opportunities are helpful for finding job opportunities, studying with peers, and solving day-to-day problems within the community.  IIBA has 120+ Chapters around the world that are run by dedicated volunteers to organize various programs and activities for professional networking. These include guest speaker events, study groups for certification preparation, professional development days, and even in-person events.

RESOURCES:
The Business Analysis Standard – https://www.iiba.org/career-resources/a-business-analysis-professionals-foundation-for-success/the-foundation-for-effective-business-analysis/

ECBA Certification Page - https://www.iiba.org/business-analysis-certifications/ecba/

Business Analysis Live Audio Podcasts - https://www.iiba.org/professional-development/knowledge-centre/podcasts/

Business Analysis Job Interview Questions - https://youtu.be/gMLAAoxLIKI

How to Become a Business Analyst - https://youtu.be/kGAca2FL7gw

Change My Career into Business Analysis - https://youtu.be/LFg6Rx0Jv6c

Business Analyst Job Titles - https://youtu.be/2sq2r3Ktj6A

Business Analysis Live is hosted by:
- Susan Moore, Community Engagement Manager at IIBA
- Scott Bennett, Manager, Business Analysis at IIBA

Do you have questions about this topic or have an idea for a different topic? Ask us a question at [email protected] or leave us a voice message on our podcast homepage.
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 #certification #career
39 min

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Business analysis is one of the top trending skills today. From problem solvers to change agents to advocates, business analysis professionals perform many roles in organizations and governments all…