BA Brew - A Business Analysis Podcast

Mike and Jonathan welcome guest Wouter Nieuwenburg to talk all things Business Architecture. The crew discuss the differences between the Business Architect and Business Analyst roles and what happens in that ‘grey area’ where respective toolkits overlap. Topics covered include knowledge sharing, co-creation and collaboration; the Business Architect as the BA’s ‘independent, critical friend’; the...

The Brew is back! Debbie and Jonathan launch Season 3 in style with guest Kay Hardy. The topic of the day is Design Thinking, an exploratory human-centric approach that offers a useful framework for business change. It’s all too easy to go back to the same BA tools time and time again. The crew talk about how Design Thinking helps BAs to refresh their approach, encouraging them to challenge assump...

It’s the Season 2 finale! In this episode the crew discuss Resilience with an expert on the subject, Corrine Thomas. Corrine talks about how BA tools can help build resilience at work and in our personal lives, for example the ‘Sarah Curve’ as a framework for dealing with emotions during times of change. Jonathan comes up with the term ‘Resilience well’, which Debbie thinks should be patented imme...

The crew are in fine form, celebrating the brand new edition of Business Analysis Techniques. With 123 tools and techniques for the BA to choose from, the skill is in knowing which to use in different contexts. MoSCoW, POPIT™, CATWOE, Johari Window and more… Debbie, Jonathan and Andrew share their favourites and those they think are underrated. They go on to discuss why some techniques are controv...

Are you happy at work? It makes all the difference. Today the crew talk about the impact of workplace culture on our happiness and productivity. James Robertson – author, problem-solver and requirements engineering guru – is our expert guest. We discuss the differences between positive and toxic cultures; how measuring performance can be counter-productive; the importance of a supportive and confi...

The best BAs are passionate about the subject and their specialisms, constantly updating their skills and techniques ‘toolkit’ and growing their understanding throughout their careers. Our guest on this BA Brew is the ever inspiring Sam Merrick, who talks to the crew about how he developed a hunger for learning, taking ownership of his career and self-funding many of the courses he has taken. Topi...

We’re joined by Lynda Girvan for a thought-provoking chat about what ‘Organisational Agility’ really means. The popular buzz-phrase ‘has been well and truly put to the test in the last 18 months, as businesses have adapted (or not) to changes brought about by the global pandemic. We discuss how business leaders have had to ‘walk the walk’ and how the Business Analysis toolkit can be used to challe...

The crew are joined by Karl Wiegers, who challenges us to think more purposefully about good and bad design. Indeed there is so much poor design to be found in the everyday that Karl has published a book on the subject. Lots to consider for any BA who is serious about championing the user and customer experience, and a wake up call for all requirements engineers. Buy Karl Wiegers' new book The Tho...

Move over Game of Thrones, in this episode of the BA Brew we discuss the sometimes dynastic struggle between the Business Analyst and Product Owner roles. Who will be King (or Queen) and will BAs truly rule the world one day? Listen in to find out. Participants: AssistKD’s Debra Paul and Mike Williams with Geertje Appel, Business Analyst and Trainer at Le Blanc Advies.

The BA Brew crew get to grips with the tricky question of the necessity of requirements. They argue that, when engineered appropriately for the working context, requirements should stand the test of time and not be thrown out with the waterfall bathwater. Listen out for Jonathan’s mini-rant (pattern emerging here) and Debbie’s Use Case Diagram confession. One not to be missed! Participants: Assist...

Who better to discuss the key aspects of leadership with than the 2020 BA of the Year? No need then to shell out on a pile of leadership books (unless you want to impress with your Zoom background). ‘Hollow leadership’ is rightly called out and a simple word count will tell you just how important passion, empathy, trust and transparency are, particularly in troubled times. Participants: AssistKD’s...

The BA Brew crew tackle the age old dilemma of delivering immediate vs. longer term outcomes. If you think MVP is the ‘go to’ acronym of the day, you might want to think again. Prepare yourself for OMBO and for the very switched on cookies amongst you, OMBOC (Optimal Mutually Beneficial Outcome in Context) might become your new mantra. Listen on! Participants: AssistKD’s Debra Paul, Jonathan Hunsl...

In our Season 1 Finale, what other subject could our illustrious foursome tackle but “Is there a future for Business Analysis?” Join us for an informed discussion on the integrity and necessity of the BA skillset. Listen out for the BA ‘awkward teenage years’ and just how BAs might save the planet. The revolution starts here! Participants: AssistKD’s Debra Paul, Jonathan Hunsley and Mike Williams...

For the those of you in need of a BA pick-me-up this podcast is for you. Learn about the Young Business Analysts (YBA) initiative and how this has grown from an initial idea to over 400 members in the space of only a few months. Lots of energy in the room and far too much fun. Sit back and enjoy hearing from the stars of the future; your profession is in good hands. Participants: AssistKD’s Debra...

We look at the book Switch by Chip and Dan Heath, recommended by our latest podcast guest Jo Gray. It’s a beast of a book but we look at the big themes and some well-thought out tactics for realising change. Listen out for the “bright spots” (a nice twist on the normal focus on problems) and Jo’s example of how powerful a visual demonstration of a situation requiring change can be. Participants: A...

“Failing fast” is a software engineering term which has become part of management speak, but does this widely accepted mindset serve any real purpose? We challenge the term and discuss the better approach of “test and learn” where there’s an opportunity to reflect and to find alternative ways forward. Listen out for the Rice Krispie incident – one not to be missed! Participants: AssistKD’s Debra P...

Put the kettle on, the hot topic of virtual facilitation is up for discussion. There’s plenty to think about including the preparation, hard work, behaviours and props required for effective facilitation. Expect a few gems from guest David Beckham (not that one) along the way including Celebrity Squares and what he calls the ‘Depeche Mode’ moment… Participants: AssistKD’s Debra Paul and Jonathan H...

Are you a natural networker or does it feel like a chore? Here the AssistKD crew discuss the joys (and perils) of networking in both face to face and virtual environments such as LinkedIn. There are top tips and important watch words along the way for people from all backgrounds. Listen on! Participants: AssistKD’s Debra Paul, Jonathan Hunsley and Nicole Rayner.

Think “value” is a word you can bandy around loosely? Think again! In our latest podcast we provide that ‘stop and think’ moment to consider what value really means for organisations and customers. The crew look at how value is co-created and the critical role the business analyst has to play in this process. Listen on… Participants: AssistKD’s Debra Paul, Mike Williams and Pete Thompson.

In the new ‘normal’, for many of us our homes have become our offices. Join us for an honest discussion about the many joys, perils, frustrations and practicalities of working from home including the temptations of the biscuit tin. Expect a useful share of experience… and who knew virtual charades was a thing! Happy listening. Participants: AssistKD’s Jonathan Hunsley, Mike Williams and Nicole Ray...

Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, Informed. Could the RACI technique be the most misunderstood and underrated technique in business? In our latest podcast passions run high as we look at how making roles and responsibilities crystal clear is key to empowerment, collaboration and business success. Enjoy the listen. Participants: AssistKD’s Debra Paul, Mike Williams and Jonathan Hunsley.

In AssistKD’s very first BA Brew we put the kettle on and kicked off by discussing Spencer Johnson’s famous book “Who Moved My Cheese?” and how it speaks to the role of Business Analyst. The book challenges “the way things have always been done around here” and is a timely prompt to rethink how we adapt to radical change. A lively 20 minute discussion, hope you enjoy it! Participants: AssistKD’s D...

A trailer for AssistKD's BA Brew podcast, which is launching on Friday 20th November at 1030. Tune in to hear informal discussions about various topics relevant to business change professionals.