Business Analysis Live!

What is Requirements Management?

Scott and Susan interview Jenn Bedell, business analysis practitioner, speaker and IIBA Regional Deputy Director, as she shares insights about managing requirements. In this podcast she discusses the importance of thorough exploration, stakeholder collaboration, and understanding project goals to uncover and prioritize requirements as why we need to manage and track requirements over the life of the project. If you geek out about creating requirements management systems, you won't want to miss the conversation on using low code/no code tools to track requirements as structured data!

RESOURCES:

Connect with ⁠Jenn on LinkedIn

Do you have questions about this topic or have an idea for a different topic? Ask us a question at ⁠⁠⁠live@iiba.org⁠⁠⁠ 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

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 #RequirementsManagement #LowCodeNoCode #StakeholderEngagement

What is Business Architecture?

Ever wondered how organizations bridge the gap between IT and business operations? You'll discover the intriguing journey of business architects as they navigate through different departments, from IT to strategy, in pursuit of organizational excellence. Join Scott and Susan and special guest, Roger Burlton, business architecture practitioner, author, speaker and trainer, as we answer the question "What is Business Architecture?"

RESOURCES:

Short videos and articles by Roger at Process Renewal
Connect with Roger on LinkedIn

Do you have questions about this topic or have an idea for a different topic? Ask us a question at ⁠⁠⁠live@iiba.org⁠⁠⁠ 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

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.

#BusinessArchitecture #StrategyAlignment #EnterpriseTransformation #ITStrategy #BusinessInnovation

Neuroscience and Business Analysis

How can neuroscience research help us be better communicators, better leaders and build better relationships? Scott Helmers joins Scott and Susan for a rich discussion on some methods and principles that can make us more aware of how we, and others, think.

RESOURCES: - Contact Scott Helmers - Scott@VisioStepByStep.com - Connect with Scott on Linkedin

- Scott's LinkedIn Learning courses

Do you have questions about this topic or have an idea for a different topic? Ask us a question at ⁠⁠⁠live@iiba.org⁠⁠⁠ 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

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 #neuroscience #thinkingstyles

The Importance of Being Nimble

What do we mean by nimble? Is that just another word for agile or does it mean something else? According to our guests, Fabricio Laguna and Filip Hendrickx, it is a way of thinking about an organization's ability to sense and respond with speed and precision. Learn more about nimble, how it applies to organizations and how business analysts can be nimble.

You can meet Fabricio Laguna and Filip Hendrickx, who will be running a tutorial about Nimble at the upcoming 2024 Building Business Capabilities (BBC) conference - https://buildingbusinesscapability.com/

REOURCES:

Do you have questions about this topic or have an idea for a different topic? Ask us a question at ⁠⁠⁠live@iiba.org⁠⁠⁠ 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

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.

#Nimble #BusinessAnalysis #IIBA

AI For Business Analysis

In this episode, we dive into artificial intelligence and the role it plays in business analysis with our guest, Vince Mirabelli. Get ready for an insightful conversation on leveraging AI to enhance your BA skills and improve efficiency.

Here are some highlights from the episode:

🔹 The role of AI in business analysis and its potential impact
🔹 The importance of getting started with AI and overcoming apprehension
🔹 The power of prompt engineering and crafting effective prompts for AI tools
🔹 The need for context and understanding in utilizing AI effectively
🔹 The upcoming AI Playtime event at the Building Business Capabilities conference

And don't forget to check out Vince's report on Getting Started with AI in Requirements Management

Do you have questions about this topic or have an idea for a different topic? Ask us a question at ⁠⁠⁠live@iiba.org⁠⁠⁠ 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 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.

#AI #BusinessAnalysis #IIBA

Working With Developers

Susan and Scott are joined by special guest Tamara Copple, Product Owner for Children International, to talk about Working with Developers.

Key take-aways:

When working with developers (or software engineers), do your homework. Bring your research and be prepared to share what you've learned about the problem or opportunity to get the developer up to speed.
Provide business context. As a business analysis professional, you may understand more about the business than the developer. Offering this context can provide important background information needed to perform work.
Know your audience. Understand what your developers need from you and how they want it delivered. Sometimes, this may not be the way you have learned to write requirements. But knowing how to write (or communicate) with developers will result in better outcomes!
Understand your technology. You don't need to know how to code! But understanding the features and limitations of the technologies you work with can help you communicate better with developers.

RESOURCES:

Tamara's LinkedIn Profile
Sessionize https://sessionize.com/tamaracopple

Do you have questions about this topic or have an idea for a different topic? Ask us a question at ⁠⁠⁠live@iiba.org⁠⁠⁠ 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 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.

Building Your Communication Skills

In this episode, Susan and Scott delve into the importance of kindness and empathy in the field of business analysis. Our guest, kindness advocate, business analysis professional and author, Jane Osemwegie, shares her insights on how kindness can positively impact our professional communication. We also discuss the role of empathy in understanding and connecting with clients and colleagues, and how it can lead to better outcomes.

Jane shares 5 main areas to focus on to build your communication skills. Don't miss out on this enlightening conversation!

Jane's LinkedIn Profile : https://www.linkedin.com/in/janeosemwegie/
Effective Listening Skills: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/iiba-org/episodes/Effective-Listening-Skills-e1ljf9o
Difficult Conversations: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/iiba-org/episodes/Difficult-Conversations-e2bto35

Do you have questions about this topic or have an idea for a different topic? Ask us a question at ⁠⁠⁠live@iiba.org⁠⁠⁠ 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 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.

⁠#communication⁠ ⁠#businessanalysis⁠ #skills

Best of Business Analysis Live

After over 50 episodes of Business Analysis Live, Susan & Scott look back at the most popular episodes and a fun event in Las Vegas that didn't make it into a Business Analysis Live episode. As always, we answer your questions live during our broadcast! You can view this podcast on YouTube

Find the top podcasts we mentioned plus more at our Spotify homepage! Do you have questions about this topic or have an idea for a different topic? Ask us a question at ⁠⁠⁠live@iiba.org⁠⁠⁠ 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 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.

#communication #businessanalysis #bestof

Working Across Cultures

Join Susan and Scott as they talk about to how to best work with teams across different cultures. They talk with the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA) Account Managers from around the globe to get advice and practical tips: - Europe - Andy Grazebrook - Africa & Middle East - Koketso Chaba - India - Suvarna Veluthakkal - Asia, Pacific - Xavier Treguer - Latin America & Southeastern United States - David Rosales - Canada & Northern United States - Lia Spoltore In the discussion, the Account Managers discuss various aspects of effective communication across cultures, including:

- Not making assumptions when meeting someone - Get to know the person and build the relationship - Understand body language in different cultures - How time zones are important to take into consideration - The benefit and challenge of speaking multiple languages RESOURCES:

Corporate Membership inquiries, email CorporateMembership@iiba.org
IIBA Global Chapters
IIBA Multilanguage Resources

Do you have questions about this topic or have an idea for a different topic? Ask us a question at ⁠⁠⁠live@iiba.org⁠⁠⁠ 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 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.

#culture #teamwork #communication

Launching Your Business Analysis Career

Susan and Scott chat with a new business analysis professional, Sachin Bhoria, about his experience preparing for and landing his first job in business analysis. Sachin has been in his role for over a year now and shares his perspective as a new business analysis professional.

Resources:

Entry Certificate to Business Analysis (ECBA) Certification - https://www.iiba.org/business-analysis-certifications/ecba/
Business Analysis Competency Model - https://www.iiba.org/professional-development/business-analysis-competency-model/
BACCM (Business Analysis Core Concept Model) - https://www.iiba.org/business-analysis-blogs/6-steps-to-applying-the-baccm/

Do you have questions about this topic or have an idea for a different topic? Ask us a question at ⁠⁠⁠live@iiba.org⁠⁠⁠ 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 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 #ECBA #career

Difficult Conversations

Susan Moore and Scott Bennett are joined by guest speaker Mindy Bohannon, to delve into the challenges of difficult conversations. They share their own reactions and triggers when faced with such conversations and discuss how to approach them in a productive and empathetic manner. Mindy highlights the role of empathy in diffusing tension and getting everyone back on the same page. The hosts and guest emphasize the importance of acknowledging and managing emotions during these encounters. A few key take-aways: 1️⃣ Respect is Key: Difficult conversations can be challenging, but they ultimately come down to respect. 💯🤝 2️⃣ Focus on Objectives: It's easy for difficult conversations to go off track and become tangents. To avoid this, it's crucial to stay focused on the objective. 🎯📈 3️⃣ Cultural Awareness: Our guest speaker shared a fascinating personal experience about working with someone from a different cultural background. By fostering cultural awareness, we can create a more inclusive and understanding environment. 🌍🤝

Resources:

20% rebate on IIBA certifications (ends 29 Dec 2023)
Connect with Mindy on LinkedIn

Do you have questions about this topic or have an idea for a different topic? Ask us a question at ⁠⁠⁠live@iiba.org⁠⁠⁠ 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 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. #PodcastEpisode #CommunicationSkills #DifficultConversations #PersonalGrowth #ProfessionalDevelopment #CommunityEngagement

Mastering Influence

Influencing is an advanced communication skill that is helpful for change management in the business analysis field. Susan and Scott talk with guests that have had success with influencing skills. Abigail Gaddy and Heath Butler share the benefits of using influencing skills as well as the potential pitfalls if it’s overused.

Business analysts often need to work with various stakeholders, including executives, project managers, subject matter experts, and technical teams. Effective influencing skills allow business analysts to gain support, build relationships, and guide stakeholders towards shared goals and decisions. These skills help reduce resistance to necessary changes, articulate a clear vision, inspire others to take action, and promote collaboration. Additionally, negotiation skills are frequently used by business analysts to resolve conflicts and reach agreements among stakeholders.

Influence is part of the Interaction Skills illustrated in the Business Analysis Competency Model. Interaction skills are one of the six underlying competencies for business analysis professionals, so influence is important. Overall, influencing skills play a crucial role in the success of business analysis initiatives by facilitating effective communication, collaboration, and decision-making.

Join us for another engaging conversation on Business Analysis Live!

RESOURCES:
Business Analysis Competency Model - www.iiba.org/professional-development/business-analysis-competency-model/

The Trusted Advisor by: David Maister, Charles Green, and Robert Galford

Do you have questions about this topic or have an idea for a different topic? Ask us a question at ⁠⁠⁠live@iiba.org⁠⁠⁠ 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

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 #influence #influencing

Business Model Canvas

A Business Model Canvas is an analysis technique in the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge (BABOK Guide) and is a technique taught in business schools. Susan and Scott talk with Connor Estabrooks, who is a recent MBA graduate, to discuss how the Business Model Canvas is used to analyze a business, or part of a business.

The discussion is framed around the nine parts of the Business Model Canvas:

- Customer Relationships

- Customer Segments

- Key Partnerships

- Key Activities

- Key Resources

- Value Proposition

- Channels

- Cost Structure

- Revenue Streams

RESOURCES:

Business Model Canvas (IIBA Members Only) https://www.iiba.org/knowledgehub/business-analysis-body-of-knowledge-babok-guide/10-techniques/10-8-business-model-canvas/

Do you have questions about this topic or have an idea for a different topic? Ask us a question at ⁠⁠live@iiba.org⁠⁠ 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 #businessmodel #businessmodelcanvas

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 ⁠⁠live@iiba.org⁠⁠ 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

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, focussing 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 ⁠⁠live@iiba.org⁠⁠ 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

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 ⁠live@iiba.org⁠ 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

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 ⁠live@iiba.org⁠ 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

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 ⁠live@iiba.org⁠ 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

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 ⁠live@iiba.org⁠ 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

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 live@iiba.org 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

Requirements 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 live@iiba.org 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

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 live@iiba.org 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

Start 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 live@iiba.org 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

Curiosity for Business Analysis

How does curiosity help in your career? Curiosity leads to discovery and it can be fostered or suppressed. Christina (Tina) Lovelock and Adrian Reed join us for a discussion about curiosity and a global initiative they’ve launched called BA School Day. Curiosity allows us to explore and learn. For business analysis professionals, learning and asking effective questions are an important part of the role. But curiosity has no bounds in terms of job role. For example, storytelling and understanding the mechanics of a story, are a skill that can be used across many disciplines, and this has an element of curiosity and creativity. Susan says “business analysis professionals are professional learners” in our discussion. Adrian chats with us about how sales roles some similarities to business analysis. Can curiosity be developed? Tina shares her thoughts on how practicing curiosity can help us get more information to help us be more successful. Sometimes it can be intimidating to ask questions, and organizations can help or hinder this through their culture. By fostering an environment that’s safe to ask questions, organizations can improve their performance. Tina and Adrian share details about their initiative called the BA School Day. This is to raise awareness of the business analysis career for students in schools, colleges, and universities. It will help inform and inspire BAs of the future. It’s an opportunity for the business analysis community to engage their local community with resources from the website and make a pledge. Go to https://baschool.day/ to learn more. RESOURCES: BA School Day - https://baschool.day/ Book – The Accidental Salesperson

Do you have questions about this topic or have an idea for a different topic? Ask us a question at live@iiba.org 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 #curiosity

How to Hire a Business Analyst

In this discussion we talk about hiring business analysts from the hiring manager perspective. It may also be useful for business analyst applicants to understand what hiring managers are looking for. Our guest on this episode of Business Analysis Live is Yulia Kosarenko, who has a YouTube channel called Why Change.

We start by discussing the importance of the job description. It’s important to articulate details about what the candidate will be doing in the job. We discuss communication skills for BAs, emphasizing the ability to listen actively, ask effective questions, and convey complex information in a clear and concise manner. We also chat about the importance of being able to adapt communication style to different stakeholders, including technical and non-technical team members. The conversation then moves on to the topic of job interviews and how to prepare for them. Yulia shares some tips on how to research the company and position, as well as how to practice and refine your responses to common interview questions. We also discuss the importance of being authentic and honest during the interview process, and the value of showing enthusiasm and a genuine interest in the company and role. Later in the conversation, we discuss the importance of professional development and staying up-to-date with industry trends and best practices. We mention the benefits of attending conferences, webinars, and other industry events, as well as participating in local IIBA chapters. Yulia notes that certification is also a useful way to demonstrate knowledge and experience in business analysis, but emphasizes that it is not a guarantee of competence or fit for a particular role. We wrap up by discussing the importance of the business analysis mindset, which includes traits such as curiosity, problem-solving skills, and a focus on continuous improvement. While technical skills and experience are important, it is often these soft skills and mindset that differentiate top-performing BAs. As always, we answer questions from our viewers during the livestream. RESOURCES: 20% discount code for the Job Interview Clinic (with BA extras: yulia-spring-20) https://courses.why-change.com/ How to Screen Business Analyst Resumes - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtFf3RQ7Z2w&t=0s Writing a Business Analyst Resume - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4YoyxUviow&t=0s 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 live@iiba.org 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 #interview #hiring

Why Use Observation?

Observation is a valuable source of information and can be used to gain insights that cannot be obtained through conversations. We discuss the technique of observation in business analysis share stories about our experiences. As with any technique, there are benefits and challenges. Observation can reveal inefficiencies and help organizations improve their processes. However, observation can also create anxiety among employees, so it is important to communicate the purpose of the observation and ensure that employees understand why it is being done. RESOURCES:

-IIBA’s KnowledgeHub https://www.iiba.org/knowledgehub/business-analysis-body-of-knowledge-babok-guide/10-techniques/10-31-observation/ - The Business Analysis Body of Knowledge https://www.iiba.org/career-resources/a-business-analysis-professionals-foundation-for-success/babok/ 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 live@iiba.org 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 #observation

ChatGPT and Business Analysis

ChatGPT is a new Artificial Intelligence technology and we discuss how this is useful as a research and productivity tool. Susan and Scott chat with Emal Bariali, the Founder of BA Blocks, who has been researching ChatGPT for use by business analysis professionals. Emal has published several ChatGPT videos on his YouTube channel (see link below). As a high-level primer, GPT stands for Generative Pre-trained Transformer. It is a type of Large Language Model (LLM) artificial intelligence tool. We don’t focus on the technology in this discussion, we focus on the implications and usefulness of this artificial intelligence technology. During our discussion, we demonstrate a simple example of using OpenAI’s ChatGPT tool. The example is exploring what menu items and policies to include when building a website. The results provide lists of items and a brief description of each. There are a number of useful functions ChatGPT can perform: - Knowledge gathering and research to perform discovery work quickly and efficiently - Summarize the transcript of a meeting - Building creative output such as a social media calendar and title ideas (even poems and song lyrics!) - Writing code such as SQL - Productivity tools: Microsoft and Google are working to include Large Language Models (LLMs) in their productivity suites to perform mundane or repetitive tasks. This will provide the ability to use this functionality to address low-value work and free up more time. Susan describes “shallow work” versus “deep work”, where LLMs can help with the shallow work. Some examples of how the ChatGPT type of functions will work in productivity suites are: - Draft an email based on available data (meeting transcripts, files, emails, etc.) - Generate a presentation (including photos it has access to) - Pull meaning from a spreadsheet of data Some limitations of ChatGPT are it can’t create new ideas, it could be plagiarising, it can’t read body language, it doesn’t understand organizational culture, etc. There are some risks of using ChatGPT as it can generate results that aren’t accurate. It requires diligence to ensure the results are used appropriately. Emal suggests making sure you’re clear on the prompts you ask to get more accurate results and look at the results critically to review it well. RESOURCES: Emal’s YouTube Channel with ChatGPT demos - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DaJVZBXETE&t=0s Cornell University Study - GPTs are GPTs: An Early Look at the Labor Market Impact Potential of Large Language Models https://arxiv.org/abs/2303.10130 Productivity Tools: - Microsoft 365 Copilot Info - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7xTBa93TX8&t=0s - AI and Google Workspace Info - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DaJVZBXETE&t=0s Do you have questions about this topic or have an idea for a different topic? Ask us a question at live@iiba.org or leave us a voice message on our podcast homepage. 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/

#chatgpt #AI #businessanalysis

Running Effective Meetings

The purpose of most meetings is to make decisions. Are your meetings effective? Have you attended meetings that are a waste of time? Susan and Scott have run meetings for decades. Join them as they discuss effective meetings and take questions from the live audience.

Top 5 Essential Elements of Effective Meeting

State the objective of the meeting so people know what to expect.
Include an agenda so attendees can prepare or possibly reject the meeting if it’s not suitable for them to attend
Only invite relevant attendees
Start and end on time - show respect for people
Take notes to document decisions and action items (including action item, owner of the action item, and due date)

Additional Elements for Effective Meetings

Decide if you need a meeting, or if you can accomplish this via email or chat
Manage the discussion to keep it on track
Send a summary of the meeting to attendees with decisions, action items, and next steps
chat, Slack, Teams, etc.
For virtual meetings, turn your camera on
body language is an important part of communication
Be a hero, and finish the meeting 5 minutes early

Tool Tips:

Use visuals to help facilitate the meeting
Use a Timer to manage to the agenda for larger groups (get a helper)
Use a virtual whiteboard to collaborate

RESOURCES: Podcast for Business Analysis Live https://www.iiba.org/professional-development/knowledge-centre/podcasts/

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/

#meetings #techniques #businessanalysis

What is Business Analysis?

Business Analysis is defined as “the practice of enabling change in an organizational context, by defining needs and recommending solutions that deliver value to stakeholders” in the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge (BABOK© Guide v3). The BABOK guide was developed by a global working group, including our guest, Laura Paton.

We talk with Laura about Business Analysis from different perspectives:

The profession, research, and competencies
Roles and Job Titles
How long it takes to get good at business analysis
Change management
Organizations and business domains
Starting a business analysis career
Problem solving and opportunity seeking
People, process, and technology
Data analytics
Human behaviour and psychology
The art and science of business analysis
The importance of context

RESOURCES:

LinkedIn Learning Course by Laura Paton: What is Business Analysis? https://www.linkedin.com/learning/what-is-business-analysis
Certification in Business Data Analytics https://www.iiba.org/business-analysis-certifications/business-data-analytics-certification/

Business Analysis Live is hosted by: - Susan Moore, Community Engagement Manager at IIBA - Scott Bennett, Manager, Business Analysis at IIBA We discuss business analysis topics and answer questions from our live audience.

Do you have questions about this topic or have an idea for a different topic? Ask us a question at live@iiba.org 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 #babok #career

Business Analysis Skills for Human Resources

Human Resources is key to running a successful organization. It’s typically a top cost among expenses. How do business analysis skills apply to Human Resources? Kris Tierney joins us from the Human Resources Professionals Association (HRPA), which has partnered with The International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA) to offer the “Radical HR: Upskilling from Service Provider to Solution Expert” program.

During our chat with Kris, we talk about Human Resources (HR) for business analysts to understand the business domain. To underscore the importance of HR, one of our livestream viewers, Tracy Kincaid-Mielak commented “You can’t have a business without the people so people should be your primary focus”. The certificate program helps HR professionals learn “how to speak the language of the business”. Using the foundations of business analysis, participants elevate their ability to positively impact their organizations by conducting comprehensive needs analysis and creating evidence-based solutions.

For information on the certificate program, visit https://mx.hrpa.ca/pages/hrpa-meeting...

To learn more about the Human Resources Professionals Association (HRPA), visit https://www.hrpa.ca

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 live@iiba.org 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 #humanresources #hr

Show less

Top 9 Business Analysis Skills

What are the most important skills for business analysis professionals? We discuss the top 9 skills identified in the IIBA Global State of Business Analysis report. This is research from business analysis professionals around the world. Can you guess what the top skill is for your career? We count down to the #1 skill and take questions from the livestream audience.

Business Analysis Myths

“Business analysis professionals only work in IT”, is that a myth? What about “Business analysts only create requirements documents”? In this episode of Business Analysis Live we talk about common business analysis myths and answer questions from our live audience.

RESOURCES:

- Business Analysis Job Titles - https://youtu.be/c6Ne1J9IlJE

- Top Business Analysis Myths, Analyst Catalyst blog - https://www.iiba.org/business-analysis-blogs/top-business-analysis-myths/

Business Analysis Live is hosted by: - Susan Moore, Community Engagement Manager at IIBA - Scott Bennett, Manager, Business Analysis at IIBA We discuss business analysis topics and answer questions from our live audience.

Do you have questions about this topic or have an idea for a different topic? Ask us a question at live@iiba.org 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/

#analysis #businessanalysis #iiba

Business Analysis Job Interview Questions

Looking for a business analysis job? We discuss interview questions that you may encounter and how to approach them. Preparation is key and our guest, Yulia Kosarenko, shares tips on how to get ready for a business analysis job interview. She has some great advice. Yulia Kosarenko is the author of “Business analyst: a profession and a mindset” and also publishes videos on her “Why Change” YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@WhyChange

RESOURCES:

IIBA Career Center https://careercenter.iiba.org/
Entry Certificate to Business Analysis (ECBA) https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/MZeeRQGWrwb
Top 7 Soft Skills for Business Analysts Video https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/gprrUNGWrwb

Do you have questions about this topic? Ask us a question at live@iiba.org 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

We discuss business analysis topics and answer questions from our live audience. We have a backlog of upcoming topics and we’re happy to take suggestions.

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 #job #interview #businessanalyst

Do's and Don'ts of Online Proctoring

It's the end of the year and time to think about those professional development goals! Certifications are usually high on that list. International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA) has 7 business analysis certifications - 3 core and 4 specialized. All the business analysis certification exams offered by the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA) are proctored online. We get lots of questions about how online proctoring works. In this episode of Business Analysis Live! Scott and Susan talk with our Certifications Program Manager, Isabel Feher-Watters about online proctoring and how to get ready for your online proctoring experience. (note: this podcast was originally recorded in November 2021)

Do you have questions about this topic? Ask us a question at live@iiba.org 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

We discuss business analysis topics and answer questions from our live audience. We have a backlog of upcoming topics and we’re happy to take suggestions.

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/

#professionaldevelopment #certification #businessanalysis #businessanalyst #IIBA

Leadership Skills for Business Analysts

Even when business analysis professionals don't have a title of leader, they are informal leaders on projects. In this episode, Scott and Susan are joined by Lead Business Analyst, Supervisor and newest #CBAP (Certified Business Analysis Professional) holder, John Reeves who writes and talks about business analysis leadership. We learn from John the leadership skills most in demand for business analysts and how they can lead without authority.

John is a frequent contributor of leadership articles to IIBA's member-exclusive quarterly publication, Business Analysis Magazine (BAM!). You can find his latest articles in these editions:

Leading Through Task Calibration by John B. Reeves, AMA-CPM, CAPM, CBAP
The Empathic Designer by John B. Reeves, AMA-CPM, CAPM, CBAP

IIBA Members can contribute content and earn CDUs towards recertification! Submit your article here.

Do you have questions about this topic? Ask us a question at live@iiba.org 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

We discuss business analysis topics and answer questions from our live audience. We have a backlog of upcoming topics and we’re happy to take suggestions.

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/

#leadership #leadershipskills #businessanalysis #businessanalyst #IIBA

What is SWOT analysis?

SWOT analysis is a powerful tool to explore ideas and look at the big picture. The four perspectives captured in this model are: - Strengths (internal) - Weaknesses (internal) - Opportunities (external) - Threats (external).

In this podcast Scott and Susan create a SWOT analysis together using live audience feedback to show not only how it works but how a business analysis professional would facilitate the activity. The key skill in performing a SWOT analysis is facilitation to ensure your stakeholders are engaged and contributing. As we demonstrate using a live example, SWOT analysis is as much about discussion as it is completing an exercise. This is a tool that can help with perspectives for growth, for risk mitigation, for many aspects of a particular subject.

Do you have questions about this topic? Ask us a question at live@iiba.org 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

We discuss business analysis topics and answer questions from our live audience. We have a backlog of upcoming topics and we’re happy to take suggestions.

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 #swotanalysis #facilitation

Product Owner Wisdom

What is a Product Owner? There's a lot of myth and rumor about this important role in agile organizations. In this episode, Scott and Susan welcome Emily Midgely, a Product Owner (and President of the IIBA Cleveland [Ohio] Chapter), to talk about what Product Owners do. They get into the skills needed for this work, how Product Owners work with business analysts and other roles in an organization and, as always, they answer questions from the audience about product owners and product ownership.

Do you have questions about this topic? Ask us a question at live@iiba.org 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

We discuss business analysis topics and answer questions from our live audience. We have a backlog of upcoming topics and we’re happy to take suggestions.

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 #productowner #agile

Top 7 Soft Skills for Business Analysts

In IIBA's most recent Global State of Business Analysis survey, the business analysis community told us that there are 7 soft skills critical to the work of BA professionals. Some say "soft skills," well, we say "essential skills!" These skills not only make your work stand out as a business analyst but also differentiate you in the marketplace. In this episode Scott and Susan identify those 7 skills and dive into what that means. As always, they take audience questions live!

RESOURCES:

Read our blog post for more about these top 7 skills and learn more about the annual Global State of Business Analysis survey.
We talk a bit about job titles in this episode and reference our podcast on that topic: Business Analysis Job Titles

Do you have questions about this topic? Ask us a question at live@iiba.org 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

We discuss business analysis topics and answer questions from our live audience. We have a backlog of upcoming topics and we’re happy to take suggestions.

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 #softskills

When To Do Business Analysis Planning?

Business Analysis Planning and Monitoring is one of the knowledge areas identified in the BABOK© Guide. If you've never performed business analysis planning on a project, you might think it's another one of those upfront planning processes from waterfall. In this episode, Scott and Susan, along with guest Hans Eckman, demystify what this essential area is all about. We talk about how and when this is done in both #waterfall and #agile projects as well as how planning can ensure you set yourself up for success in your work!

Do you have questions about this topic? Ask us a question at live@iiba.org 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

We discuss business analysis topics and answer questions from our live audience. We have a backlog of upcoming topics and we’re happy to take suggestions.

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 #babok

Cybersecurity for Business Analysis Professionals

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month and that got us thinking - what's the role of a Business Analysis professional working in cybersecurity? It isn't what you might think. In fact, business analysis is even more critical to organizations' strategy and reputation than just blocking intrusions. In this episode Scott and Susan talk with Bindu Channaveerappa, a cybersecurity business analysis expert, about how business analysts are involved in every level of security within an organization.

Bindu will be a guest panelist at our October 25th free webinar "Unlocking Cybersecurity: What Business Analysis Professionals Need to Know." You can register for that webinar here.

Do you have questions about this topic? Ask us a question at live@iiba.org 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

We discuss business analysis topics and answer questions from our live audience. We have a backlog of upcoming topics and we’re happy to take suggestions.

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 #cybersecurity

Business Analysis Job Titles

What's the difference between a Business Analyst, a Business Systems Analyst and an IT Business Analyst? Well, it depends. Hunting for business analysis jobs can be challenging because job titles can be generic or very specific. The differences in the titles can be found in the details of the job posting. But how do you even get that far in searching for business analysis jobs? In this episode, Scott and Susan talk about tips, hacks and research into business analysis job titles and, as always, answer your questions "live!"

RESOURCES:

Business Analysis career specializations model

Do you have questions about this topic? Ask us a question at live@iiba.org 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

We discuss business analysis topics and answer questions from our live audience. We have a backlog of upcoming topics and we’re happy to take suggestions.

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 #jobhunting #jobtitles

Business Analysis for User Experience

In this episode, Scott and Susan have a special guest, Angelo Kalevela. Angelo is user experience design practitioner and business analyst that has a YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/c/AngeloKalevela). He focuses on business analysis professionals who are new to the profession or thinking about becoming a business analyst with short, approachable videos meant to inform and coach. We talk about the parallels between business analysis and user experience work, coaching new business analysts and how learning to dance is a lot like business analysis!

Do you have questions about this topic? Ask us a question at live@iiba.org 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

We discuss business analysis topics and answer questions from our live audience. We have a backlog of upcoming topics and we’re happy to take suggestions.

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 #userexperience

Missing Requirements

The Project Management body of knowledge says that projects fail due to missed requirements. The Business Analysis Body of Knowledge (BABOK) says requirements are missed because #stakeholders are missed. Missing requirements happen on projects. It's a common issue faced by #businessanalysts. In this episode, Scott and Susan discuss the impacts of missed requirements, how to avoid them and what to do when you discover it's happened.

Do you have questions about this topic? Ask us a question at live@iiba.org 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

We discuss business analysis topics and answer questions from our live audience. We have a backlog of upcoming topics and we’re happy to take suggestions.

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/

#requirements #businessanalysis

ECBA Frequently Asked Questions

ECBA is the IIBA (International Institute of Business Analysis) Entry Certificate in Business Analysis. This certificate program is a great way to learn the language of #businessanalysis as well as build your skills and confidence in the knowledge areas. Who is this certificate for? What does the certificate exam cover? You have questions and in this episode, Scott and Susan answer them! Listen and learn more about this #certification.

Do you have questions about this topic? Ask us a question at live@iiba.org 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

We discuss business analysis topics and answer questions from our live audience. We have a backlog of upcoming topics and we’re happy to take suggestions.

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/

#ECBA #EntryCertificateinBusinessAnalysis #businessanalysis #businessanalyst

Do You Need a Business Analyst Certification to Get a Job?

There's a lot of talk in the #businessanalysis community about certifications. One of the questions we get frequently is whether a certification is needed to get a #businessanalyst job. Certifications are an investment in time and money. Are they worth it? Are they really a fast track to getting a business analysis job? Spoiler alert: our answer may surprise you! In this podcast, Scott and Susan discuss whether business analysis certifications matter and they answer listener questions on all things certification in this episode.

Do you have questions about this topic? Ask us a question at live@iiba.org 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

We discuss business analysis topics and answer questions from our live audience. We have a backlog of upcoming topics and we’re happy to take suggestions.

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/

#certification #jobhunting #businessanalyst

Is Gap Analysis Useful?

It's the age-old #businessanalysis question: Do I need to do a gap analysis for this project? Any time we make a change, we need to assess the current state, identify the future state, and analyze where there are gaps between those 2 states. In this episode, Scott and Susan define gap analysis, when it is done and why. We get controversial in this episode as we talk about whether every gap is a thing to be solved. We also identify ways that you can apply gap analysis to your life. Uses for gap analysis are endless!

Do you have questions about this topic? Ask us a question at live@iiba.org 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

We discuss business analysis topics and answer questions from our live audience. We have a backlog of upcoming topics and we’re happy to take suggestions.

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/

#GapAnalysis #BusinessAnalyst

Switching Your Career into Business Analysis

Have you thought about moving into a business analysis career but are concerned you might not have the right skills? Many business analysis professionals started their careers in a different field altogether. (Hint: you don't need a computer science background to get into business analysis!) In this episode, Scott and Susan talk about switching your career into business analysis and answer your questions about how to do that.

Do you have questions about this topic? Ask us a question at live@iiba.org 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

We discuss business analysis topics and answer questions from our live audience. We have a backlog of upcoming topics and we’re happy to take suggestions.

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 #careerchange #businessanalyst

Business Analysis Live! from the BBC Conference

This special episode of Business Analysis Live! is (virtually) direct from the 2022 Building Business Capability Conference held in Florida. Scott and Susan interview leading business analysis thought leaders and key speakers from the conference to learn more about the hot topics from this year's conference and what it's like to get together live after a 2 year pause in conferences.

Hear thoughts and perspectives from:

Angela Wick
Fabricio Laguna
Christina Lovelock
Jennifer Bedell
Filip Hendrickx

Do you have questions about this topic? Ask us a question at live@iiba.org 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

We discuss business analysis topics and answer questions from our live audience. We have a backlog of upcoming topics and we’re happy to take suggestions.

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 #BBC2022

Networking for Introverts

Building a network can help you find new opportunities, develop your skills and see new perspectives but meeting and growing that network can seem challenging if you see yourself as an introvert. You don't have to see your introversion as a negative to networking! You can use your strengths to network in ways that support your goals without feeling overwhelmed. Scott has this episode off so co-host Susan Moore and IT Career Coach, Suzanne Ricci, talk about networking and offer tips for those who find networking a little challenging.

Do you have questions about this topic? Ask us a question at live@iiba.org 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

We discuss business analysis topics and answer questions from our live audience. We have a backlog of upcoming topics and we’re happy to take suggestions.

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/

#networking #introverts #businessanalysis #businessanalyst #professionalnetworking #professionaldevelopment

By International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA)

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What is Requirements Management?