Episodit
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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
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The Double Diamond approach is a popular (and fun) design thinking technique designed to help you generate ideas; problem solve; challenge and even reverse assumptions. Our latest BA Brew with Jonathan Hunsley, Lisa Hudson and special guest Liza Laya introduces the framework – discussing its uses, benefits and some real-world applications.
Liza Laya is Head of Technology and Digital Reform at a state government agency in Melbourne, Australia. She has almost 25 years of local and international experience and currently oversees teams responsible for delivering technology and data reforms.
FURTHER RESOURCES
This podcast includes mention of the Service Design Consultancy Framework, covered in this article by Jonathan Hunsley: Winging It Doesn’t Work: We Need Professional Service Design | Assist Knowledge Development (assistkd.com) [PLEASE MAKE THIS AN INTERNAL LINK]
Find more useful videos on Service Design in AssistKD’s Service Design playlist. Service Design Playlist Introduction (youtube.com)
Visit AssistKD’s Learning Zone for more Service Design learning resources. You can search by topic in our articles and BA Manager Forum sections. Learning Zone | Information and Articles | Assist Knowledge Development (assistkd.com)
#businesschange #doublediamondframework #servicedesign #service designer #doublediamond #designthinking #cx #customerexperience
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Puuttuva jakso?
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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 communityTopics 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
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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
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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 [email protected] 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
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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
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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
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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
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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 [email protected] 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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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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)
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