Business Analysis Live!

​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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Guest Yulia Kosarenko discusses hiring business analysts from the hiring manager perspective. They talk about the importance of job descriptions, communication skills, and adapting communication style. They also cover tips for job interviews, including researching the company and showing enthusiasm. The conversation touches on professional development and staying up-to-date with industry trends. Overall, it provides valuable insights for both hiring managers and business analyst applicants.

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 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