BA Brew - A Business Analysis Podcast

Ready for some BA toolbox inspiration? This BA Brew is all about business analysis techniques, and how to apply them. Podcast guest Carlos Pullen-Ferreira waxes lyrical about the Requirements Traceability Matrix and User Stories; Debbie sings the praises of Data Models, the CRUD Matrix and a good Value Stream Diagram; and finally Jonathan puts a word in for GAP Analysis and can’t resist talking (or is it ranting?) about RACI. Other techniques mentioned include: Swimlane Diagrams; SWOT Analysis; PESTLE Analysis; Use Case Diagrams and Context Diagrams; BPMN and UML; Capability Models; POPIT; Customer Journey Maps; Cost Benefit Analysis and VMOST. Carlos Pullen-Ferriera is a highly experienced BA and Head of Change Management, Agile coach, author and conference speaker. FURTHER RESOURCES BA BREWSBA Brew 2: The RACI RantBA Brew 19: The BA Tools and Techniques Launch ChatBA Brew 33: BA Skills and How to Develop ThemBOOKSBusiness Analysis Techniques: 123 Essential Tools for SuccessARTICLESTime For a Skills Stocktake? Customise your Toolkit with the BA Techniques TriageCOURSESBCS Foundation Certificate in Business AnalysisFREE VIDEOSCheck out the Free Bitesize Learning Videos in our Learning ZoneFREE COURSESThe POPIT™ ModelIntroduction to BPMN 2.0

According to Simon Platt, every one of us, regardless of our age, job, title or background, has it within us to inspire others – even if we don’t always realise it. Simon lived in the same village as Sir Captain Tom Moore, and observed close at hand how a simple idea lifted the nation’s spirits in lockdown and raised £39 million for NHS charities. In this uplifting BA Brew, Simon talks to the Crew about the skills, traits and beliefs that can help us inspire ourselves and others in the BA community and beyond. The Brew crew are also joined by Simon's colleague Charlotte Neill who is running a workshop with Simon at the IRMUK BA Conference 2025. They are hoping that by BA’s sharing their stories in the workshop, others might see themselves in them or realise they’ve been inspiring people all along without even knowing it. Topics touched upon include: What comes first, motivation or inspirationPractical steps to inspire yourself and othersThe lasting impact of role modelling and ‘paying forwardTangible actions we can all take in our day to day lives. Simon Platt is Principal Business Analyst at Whitbread, a Neuroinclusivity Advocate, public speaker and podcast host. Simon was a BA of the Year Finalist in 2023.Further ResourcesArticlesWork-life Balance: Creating a Career and a Life you LoveNeurodiversity: The BAs Survival GuideBook review: Begin with You by Petra VelzeboerWellbeing in Times of ChangeCoursesIntroduction to NLP One Day WorkshopBA BrewsBA Brew 49: Mental HealthBA Brew 54: Neurodiversity

AssistKD’s Product Strategy Director Pete Thompson is the author of the new BCS Digital Solutions series. In this BA Brew Pete, explains how he saw the need for an up to date, comprehensive body of knowledge for business and IT professionals, and talks about the process of writing the three books – Defining Digital Solutions, Designing Digital Solutions and Delivering Digital Solutions. Topics discussed include: The advantage of publishing the body of knowledge as a trilogy, including a book devoted to ‘delivery'; methodologies, techniques and practices covered in the books; The many tools and techniques in the digital change toolbox, and how they work in different contexts; Applying the POPIT model for a holistic view’; Business solutions to business problems vs. technical solutions to technical problems. The Digital Solutions series is a useful reference for business and IT professionals, and those studying for the BCS International Diploma in Solution Development. FURTHER RESOURCESBOOKSDefining Digital SolutionsDesigning Digital Solutions Delivering Digital Solutions ARTICLESAI and the Business Analysis RoleCOURSESSolution Development CoursesDIPLOMASBCS International Diploma in Solution DevelopmentBA BREWSBA Brew 63: The AI Brew (Hosted by ChatGPT)

hat is Business Service Architecture, and why is it important to business change professionals? In this BA Brew, Debra Paul and Jonathan Hunsley, authors of Business Architecture: A Comprehensive Guide, answer these question, and more. All too often, services and products just don’t work, resulting in poor outcomes for customers and other stakeholders. Business Service Architecture takes an ecosystem view, looking at how the architecture of a product or service can be better designed. Topics discussed in this BA Brew include: How end-to-end thinking and taking customer feedback on board helps to eliminate ‘pain points’ How collaboration feeds into continuous improvement Why getting it right matters, and the challenges and opportunities involved The brew also explores: Ecosystems, building blocks and capabilities of the service architecture Business service architecture techniques (including value streams; SIPOC; business activity models; service blueprints and the CALM framework). If you liked this BA Brew, you may be interested in the following:  This article compares the Business Analysis and Business Architecture roles, in particular their respective Service Frameworks.Find out more about AssistKD’s Business Service Architecture course here. Find out more about AssistKD’s Architecture courses here: This BA Brew on Strategy and Business Architecture features Vicky Rothwell, a contributing author to Business Architecture: A Comprehensive Guide:. Scroll through our bitesize learning videos and you will find ‘What is Business Architecture’ and ‘What is Enterprise Architecture’:This BA Brew focuses on ‘Business Architecture: a comprehensive guide’: Business Architecture: a comprehensive guide is available from the BCS book shop, and also on Amazon.

For the 100th Brew we decided to do something completely different. Fabricio Laguna joins the Crew for an in real time SWOT analysis of the BA profession – captured heroically by Jonathan on Mural – and available to download as a PDF here.Watch out for when everyone shares the one thing they would do to take the profession forward… (did anyone say ‘Empress of Business Analysis’?)Fabricio Laguna is a highly experienced BA, Business Consultant, and international speaker. He is the former President of IIBA Brazil Chapter and is currently Senior Adviser to the IIBA CEO.If you liked this BA Brew, you may be interested in the following: The SWOT Analysis is covered in AssistKD’s Business Analysis Practice course and you can find a succinct description of the technique among our Free Bitesize Learning VideosWatch this BA Blog on The BA Mindset, featuring Fabricio Laguna and Christina Lovelock.This BA Blog is about Imposter Syndrome in the BA profession: BA Blog: Confidence and Complacency in Business AnalysisAssistKD BA Career Planner Tool

Everyone who watches this leadership focused BA Brew with Byron Morrison can think of someone they’d like to share it with. It’s packed with nuggets of wisdom from the author of ‘The Effective CEO 2.0’, including… At 2’ 41 – how to deal with overwhelm At 7’ 19 – moving from ‘doing’ to ‘leading’ At 14’ 01 – are you setting your team up for success… or failure? At 20’ 37 – what is your ‘Zone of Genius’? At 21’ 49 – why ‘Push’ and ‘Pull’ days help you avoid burnout At 27’ 23 – how to empower (and trust) your team At ️31’08 - how to become an effective leader And there’s so much more. Byron and the Crew discuss what a ‘Not to Do’ list is; why a team of all ‘A’ players would not work; and Philippa Roll warns against dealing with work emails from Everest base camp! Byron Morrison is a speaker, author and management and leadership coach with a special interest in supporting first time CEOs. He is the author of several books including ‘Think Like a CEO’ and ‘The Effective CEO 2.0’, available from Amazon and other outlets. If you liked this BA Brew, you may also enjoy the following:   BA Brew  BA Brew 51: Think Like A CEO (feat. Byron Morrison) Articles BOOK REVIEW: Think Like a CEO by Byron Morrison Inclusive Leadership: The Secret of High Performing TeamsCourses Team Leadership Training Courses | Business AnalysisFree Learning  Free eLearning course – Effective Leadership: FREE Courses | Assist Knowledge Development  #businessanalyst #servicedesign #CEO #businessleadership #teamleadership #inclusiveleadership #effectiveCEO #thinklikeaCEO

BA Brew guest Danny Kalkhoven warns against sticking too strictly to business models (such as the BA Service Framework) and recommends adapting them to context. Jonathan is impressed by Danny’s inspired analogy – applying a business model without context is like turning up at a building site with a shiny new drill and asking where you can use it. Danny quotes British Statistician George E.P. Box: ‘All models are wrong, but some are useful’. And Debbie gets straight to the point with: ‘Always switch your brain on’! Danny Kalkhoven is a business analyst, consultant and business analysis trainer who lives in the Netherlands. His forthcoming talk at BA Conference Europe 2025 ‘Mind the Gap’ addresses the inevitable gap between business models and real-world business challenges.If you liked this BA Brew, you may also enjoy the following:  BA Brew BA Brew 35: The BA Service Framework Article Creating a Business Analysis Service Definition Introducing the BA Service Framework: FREE Course #businessanalyst #businessmodels #businessanalysis #BASF #BAServiceFramework #changemanagement #businesstools

What AI tools do you use as a BA? Business change consultant Mick Brian is an early adopter and expert on the subject. In this thought-provoking BA Brew, he discusses the challenges and rewards of introducing an LLM (Large Language Model) into a large organisation. Topics covered include: why the input of BAs is essential when introducing AI tools; the intangible benefits of LLMs; why you need to prompt AI to your level of expertise; the government’s ‘AI Playbook’ and more.As promised in the BA Brew, Mick Brian has shared these useful links for BAs with an interest in using AI tools. AI Playbook for the UK Government The Leader in Agentic Process Automation System | Automation AnywhereLucidchart | Diagramming Powered By Intelligence Process Intelligence and Process Mining | CelonisRory Sutherland Podcast Mick also recommended the book ‘Alchemy’ by Rory Sutherland. If you liked this BA Brew, you may also enjoy the following articles and blogs:AI Alchemy: Turning Change into Gold - based on the presentation by Mick Brian and Will Izzard at the Business Change and Transformation Conference Europe 2024. BOOK REVIEW: Hello World by Hannah Fry AI and the Business Analysis Role The following BA Brews may be of interest: BA Brew 63: The AI BA Brew (Hosted by Chat GPT) BA Brew 75: Business Analysis and AI (Feat. John Wisner) BA Brew 81: The Benefits, Risks and Opportunities of AI in Business Analysis (Feat. Donald Farmer)

Have you ever wrestled with a box of tangled cables and leads… or tried to get the knot out of the chain of a necklace? Some business change problems can be as challenging. Change expert and BA leader Karen Newnham joins the crew to discuss engaging with stakeholders to tackle complex, persistent problems (otherwise known as ‘Mischief Management’.) Karen Newnham was also the special guest on BA Brew 25: The Solution Standoff. If you liked this BA Brew, you may also enjoy the following articles and blogs: The Problem Solving Duck Stakeholder Engagement: Beware of ‘Nodding Along’ Syndrome You’re Speaking, But Are You Being Understood? Process Woes The following BA Brews may be of interest: BA Brew 26 on Stakeholders and BA Brew 76 on The Human Element. #businessanalyst #stakeholdermanagement #businessanalysis #solutions #changemanagement #stakeholders #businessproblems

What’s all the fuss about cybersecurity? And why do business analysts need to understand it? Cybersecurity and business analysis expert Bindu Channaveerappa is the special guest on this week’s BA Brew, where she argues that an understanding of cybersecurity is now integral to the work of the BA. “When we create the value, why leave the security to someone else?” Bindu Channaveerappa is a highly respected author, trainer and international speaker on business analysis and cyber security. Her book, ‘Cyber Security and Business Analysis: An essential guide to secure and robust systems’ is available from BCS Publishing. AssistKD runs a 1-Day Cybersecurity and Business Analysis workshop for Business Analysts and Business Change professionals. In this article Embracing a Security Mindset: The Next Frontier of Business Analysis cybersecurity expert Mark Cross urges BAs to focus on security against cyber threats. You may also enjoy this AI focused BA Brew, hosted by ChatGPT. #cybersecurity #cyberthreats #businessanalysis #businesschange #digitalsolutions

This BA Brew focuses on the newly published ‘Business Architecture: a comprehensive guide.’ Authors Jonathan Hunsley and Debra Paul and contributing author Victoria Banner discuss the ‘why’ of the book; the joy of collaborating and sharing ideas; and some of their favourite content including: - leveraging capability to meet goals and outcomes using the CALM model - comparing the business architecture service framework to the business analysis service framework and other service frameworks for role clarity - information concepts including data protection and security - case studies showing the positive impact of business architecture ‘Business Architecture: a comprehensive guide’ is available from BCS publishing and other retailers. You may be interested in the following articles, BA Brews and bitesize learning on the topic of Business Architecture. This article compares the Business Analysis and Business Architecture roles, in particular their respective Service Frameworks. Find out more about AssistKD’s Architecture courses.  This BA Brew on Business Architecture features Wouter Nieuwenburg.This BA Brew on Strategy and Business Architecture features Vicky Rothwell. Business Architecture: a comprehensive guide is available from the BCS book shop, and also on Amazon. Scroll through our bitesize learning videos and you will find ‘What is Business Architecture’ and ‘What is Enterprise Architecture’. #businessarchitecture #businessanalysis #businessarchitectureguide #businessbooks #businessstrategy #businessarchitecturetraining #whatisbusinessarchitecture

Difficult stakeholders or colleagues? Help is at hand! How we (and others) react in response to challenging situations at work – especially where there is resistance to change – is explained by the Transactional Analysis model. This week’s special guest, and an expert on #transactionalanalysis, is Leadership Development Consultant and MD Mandy Green. Watch the Brew to find out more about the ego states of (Critical) Parent, Adult and (Fractious) Child and how insight into those states can help us break free of the ‘Drama Triangle.’ You may be interested in the following BA Brews,BA Brew 20: Resilience (feat. Corrine Thomas) BA Brew 30: Confidence (feat. Philippa Thomas) BA Brew 36: If You Don't Do Politics, Politics Will Do You (feat. Niven Postma) BA Brew 45: Developing Positive Habits and Behaviours BA Brew 49: Mental Health (feat. Petra Velzeboer) BA Brew 52: Books that Changed the Way We Work BA Brew 54: Neurodiversity (feat. Simon Platt) BA Brew 69: Self Assessment and Development Tools (feat. Corrine Thomas) BA Brew 71: Neurodiversity: The BA Survival Guide (feat. Nicola Pinkney & Paul Haywood) BA Brew 86: Psychological Safety (feat. Emma Lee) BA Brew 89: Character Crafting (feat. Helen Holder)

In AssistKD’s latest Business Analysis podcast the team discuss why every touchpoint of the customer journey matters... and how a deeper understanding of the customer experience can only benefit organisations and the wider economy. Kerry, Mike and Jonathan get some serious mileage out of a restaurant analogy and Mike gets extra brownie points for mentioning POPIT™️within the first two minutes of the podcast. Topics covered include: what is the customer experience; the difference between CX and UX (User Experience) and which elements of POPIT™️relate to each; plus useful techniques such as empathy maps, customer journey mapping and Jonathan’s favourite – the Zone of Tolerance. AssistKD's CX Analysis course takes and in-depth look at the customer experience, and how an organisation can transform its existing processes to create engaged, responsive and connected customer experiences. It’s ideal if you want to deepen your understanding of CX, and the module counts towards the new A4Q Service Designer qualification. CX Analysis is now also available as an eLearning course. You may be interested in this article by Debra Paul. The Rise of the CX Professional.  You can find out more about AssistKD’s Service Design courses here: https://www.assistkd.com/courses/service-design-coursesEnjoy bitesize learning? Watch our short learning videos  here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEvIolukjraxfTJfMou8axtos6ec_0z2s#CX #CXanalysis #voiceofthecustomer #surveys #interviews #storytelling #focusgroups #observation #ethnographicstudies #empathymaps #customerjourneymaps #customerjourney #servicedesign #servicedesigner  #customerexperience #businessanalysispodcast

Are you a Business Analyst considering your next career move? Our latest BA Brew considers an academic route for BAs and how a Master of Business Administration (MBA) postgraduate degree could revitalise your career. AssistKD’s Debbie Paul and Lisa Hudson are joined by IIBA UK Director and Transformation Consultant at Burendo Christina Tan to talk about their respective MBA journeys. They discuss the rationale for studying towards an MBA, the different business subjects typically covered, learning methods, time management, challenges, valuable takeaways and networking opportunities. If you enjoy this BA Brew, the following podcast may also be of interest: BA Brew 17 - The Love of Learning (Feat. Sam Merrick) #businessanalysis #businessanalyst #mba #mbalife #masterofbusinessadministration

In AssistKD’s 2024 BA Brew Christmas message the Crew discuss what they are most looking forward to about Christmas and share some very cheesy jokes. Lisa and Kerry are excited about Christmas Day; Mike (or is it Santa?) is going to parkrun, Pete does not need any more socks, and Jo is looking forward to playing Cards Against Humanity with her 90-year-old Grandad! #merrychristmas #BABrew #businessanalysis #businessanalyst #servicedesign #businesschange

Do we need a rebrand of the business analyst role? Experts in the field Debra Paul, Jamie Toyne and Michelle Shakesheff put their heads together to discuss the current BA market, and the ongoing implications for BAs. Topic discussed include: the current demand for BAs; recruitment challenges; the need for a broad BA skillset; rebranding the BA role; changing the narrative; role clarity; the need for BAs to keep learning; and more! If you enjoyed this BA Brew, you may find the following resources of interest. ARTICLES Filling the Business Analysis Skills Gap BA Recruitment and Retention: A Multi-Faceted Approach BA BREWS Bravery in Business Analysis BA Skills and How to Develop Them #businessanalysis #userstories #requirements #BA #BArecruitment #businessanalyst #theBAmarket

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

Have you heard of Character Crafting and how it can be used to build resilience and leadership skills? In this enlightening chat our special guest, Helen Holder, discusses the positive character traits and behaviours central to the BA role… and how we can develop and maintain them. Topics discussed include: the Personal Strength inventory; character vs. the cult of personality; identifying your character strengths and weaknesses; developing through practice; and the power of theT Lego persona. Helen Holder has over 10 years’ experience working as a BA for public sector organisations. Passionate about elevating the BA profession, she volunteers with the @IIBA UK Midlands chapter. You may find the related articles, blogs and videos of interest Who Do You Think You Are? Business Analysts and Impostor Syndrome | Assist Knowledge Development Business Analysts and the Feedback Mindset | Assist Knowledge Development BOOK REVIEW: Mindset by Carol Dweck | Assist Knowledge Development BA Brew 76: The Human Element (Feat. Helen Holder) | Assist Knowledge Development AssistKD’s Team Leadership course covers positive communication, time management, leading a team through change, and more. Team Leadership Training Courses | Business Analysis | Assist Knowledge Development #businessanalysis #businessanalysis #personalstrengthinventory #BAcompetency #characterstrengths #personaldevelopment #growthmindset

Do you love a success story? BA Apprentice of the Year 2024 Lorna Mylett is this week’s special BA Brew guest. She shares her experience of the Business Analyst Apprenticeship supported by her employers DWP, and AssistKD. Topics discussed include: learning and applying new skills and understanding; the value of learning as part of a group and having a mentor; and what it’s like to be thrown at the deep end at the IRM UK BA Conference Europe. If you enjoyed this BA Brew, you may find the following resources of interest. ARTICLES Meet Lorna Mylett, Business Analyst Apprentice of the Year 2024 The Business Case for Apprenticeships My Experience of the Business Analysis Apprenticeship VIDEOS BA Brew 27: The BA Apprenticeship AssistKD’s Business Analyst (Level 4) Apprenticeship Scheme #BAapprenticeship #apprenticeships #businessanalysis #businessanalyst #talentpipeline

Tricky business problem? Get those (creative) thinking caps on! In this week’s BA Brew the Crew discuss how creative thinking can help business change professionals challenge the status quo, think expansively and come up with effective solutions. Questions addressed include: What is creative thinking? How can you create an environment for creative thinking? What are the potential barriers? What are your top 3 creative thinking techniques? You may find the following articles, course, free learning and BA Brews useful: ARTICLES Zombie Penguin Business Analysts: Creativity Techniques and Divergent ThinkingCreative Thinking/Divergent ThinkingCOURSE Design Thinking CourseFREE LEARNING NEW Free Learning Course - Creative Problem SolvingBA BREWS BA Brew 21: Design Thinking (Feat. Kay Hardy)BA Brew 82: The Double Diamond (feat. Liza Laya)#servicedesign #divergentthinking #creativityinbusiness #businessanalysis #businessanalyst