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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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....

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...

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?...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

In AssistKD’s 2023 BA Brew Christmas message, the Crew compare their favourite Christmas songs and share their highlights of the year.

Editor Tom found this BA Brew ‘mind-blowing’ and we think you will too. If you have ever felt ‘put in your box’ as a BA, you need to hear what Enterprise Architect and Strategy Delivery Consultant Vicky Rothwell has to say. Vicky challenges business analysts to push for a strategic role, to be bold with our BA toolkits and to build our understanding of business architecture and service design. Topics covered in this BA Brew include: The overlap between the business architecture and...

Self-assessment and development tools provide useful insights which can benefit individuals, teams and organisations. This BA Brew features special guest Corrine Thomas (business analysis leader, coach, mentor, writer and author) and looks at some of the tools including MBTI Myers Briggs, StrengthsFinder, Engage, Strengths Profile, the Strengths Deployment Inventory and Mindset Advantage. Useful links: Myers Briggs Experts in business psychology and personality assessment...

Newly crowned IRM UK Business Analyst of the Year winner Pip Hall joins the Brew Crew this week. Pip talks about her BA journey and those key life skills to be found beyond the standard BA toolbox. The inspiring and heartwarming chat covers what we can learn from our hobbies, interests and relationships; the importance of empathy and why Pip thinks we should take our whole selves to work. You may enjoy the following BA Brews: BA Brew Episode 26: Stakeholders (Feat. Pip Hall) BA Brew Episode...