The Better Business Analyst Podcast

But “the business” isn’t a person. It doesn’t make decisions. And it certainly doesn’t own the consequences. In this episode, Benjamen breaks down why abstract language like “the business needs” quietly destroys accountability, hides real trade-offs, and leads to bloated, expensive solutions. You’ll learn: Why vague language is a red flag in analysis and strategy How “the business” masks customer...

Traditional business cases are slowing organisations down — and most of them were never telling the truth anyway. They’re political documents dressed up as analysis, full of predictions nobody can validate and assumptions nobody ever checks. In this episode, I break down why business cases have become relics, what modern companies are using instead, and how you can shift your organisation toward f...

Custom ERP implementations aren’t “just another project.” They’re an organisational reconstruction. They expose every broken process, every data issue, every shortcut, and every assumption the business has been getting away with for years. In this episode, I break down the real approach Business Analysts need to take when stepping into a custom ERP implementation — the most complex and high-stakes...

Salesforce can transform a business — or turn into another expensive tool nobody actually uses. The difference almost always comes down to how the Business Analyst approaches the implementation. In this episode, I break down the practical, no-nonsense approach BAs should take when dropped into a Salesforce project: understanding the real business problem, mapping processes properly, setting clear...

In this episode, Benjamen Walsh breaks down how advanced connectivity — from 5G and 6G networks to IoT and edge computing — is reshaping the world of business analysis. Discover where the biggest opportunities lie for BAs and strategic leaders: in connected data, process optimisation, and the new skills that will define digital transformation in the decade ahead.

We all say we’re doing human-centred design — but what happens when the “human” turns out to be our internal process, not our actual customer? In this episode, Benjamen Walsh dives into how real innovation starts with the customer’s job to be done — not our internal agenda. Learn how to spot fake HCD, how to reframe discovery around customer value, and why true innovation lies in understanding why...

In this episode of The Better Business Analyst Podcast , Benjamen Walsh revisits one of his most powerful models — The 4P+ Framework: People, Processes, Projects and Products . You might have heard of it before, but this time we’re going deeper. Discover how the best business analysts connect these four dimensions to move from task taker to value creator — shaping outcomes, not just outputs. Benja...

Every great strategy needs someone to turn it into action — and that’s where Business Analysts shine. In this episode, Benjamen Walsh explores how BAs can bridge the gap between strategic intent and delivery execution. Learn the deliverables, tools, and thinking frameworks that make you the “missing middle” every organisation needs. Listen now on The Better Business Analyst Podcast.

Ever felt like your Jira projects are running on autopilot with no clear link back to business outcomes? You’re not alone. In this episode, Benjamen breaks down Jira’s new Goals feature — what it is, how it works, and why it finally gives Business Analysts, Product Owners, and Delivery Teams a way to connect work to strategy . We’ll explore: How Jira Goals change the way we track progress Practica...

In this episode of the Better Business Analyst Podcast , Benjamen Walsh shares 10 things every BA should know about Git, GitHub, and Continuous Delivery/Integration. From version control for requirements to collaborating via pull requests, and even how GitHub can be your go-to place for the latest AI models and open-source tools — this episode breaks down the essentials every modern BA needs. Perf...

The leap from delivery to strategy is the real career game-changer for Business Analysts. In this episode, Benjamen Walsh's shares his Top 10 ways to become a Strategic BA — from mastering financial acumen and building senior stakeholder trust, to telling stories with data and using enterprise analysis techniques. We’ll explore real case studies from Netflix, Toyota, Spotify, Amazon, Tesla and...

In this episode, Benjamen breaks down the Top 10 ways AI, and especially Microsoft Copilot, is already transforming the BA role . From requirements elicitation and process modelling to risk management and benefits tracking, we’ll look at how secure, enterprise AI tools can become your daily co-pilot. This is about the AIBA — the AI Business Analyst . The next step in our evolution as BAs.

Job hunting can feel like a full-time job — one day you’re full of hope, the next you’re wondering if anyone even saw your CV. In this episode of The Better Business Analyst Podcast , Benjamen Walsh shares his Top 10 job-seeking strategies tailored for Business Analysts, IT professionals, and strategic leaders. From crafting personalised cover letters to staying visible on LinkedIn, and from worki...

From waterfall to agile — and now to continuous discovery . In this episode of the Better Business Analyst Podcast, we explore the next big shift in how Business Analysts create value. Continuous discovery means staying connected to users, stakeholders, and data throughout the delivery cycle — not just at the start. You’ll learn: Why traditional discovery isn’t enough anymore Practical steps to em...

The BA as Storyteller: 10 Ways Narrative Shapes Better Outcomes Business Analysts aren’t just requirement gatherers — we’re storytellers. In this episode of the Better Business Analyst Podcast, Benjamen Walsh explores how narrative can transform workshops, requirements, benefits, business cases, and even your career. You’ll hear 10 powerful ways to use storytelling in BA work , complete with real-...

In this episode of the Better Business Analyst Podcast, Benjamen Walsh unpacks the Jobs To Be Done (JTBD) framework —a powerful way to understand what customers and stakeholders really need. Forget features—this is about outcomes. Tune in for 10 practical lessons and tips on applying JTBD to requirements, strategy, and solution design. With real-world examples like FitNation, Uber Eats, and everyd...

Managing a product in an enterprise isn’t like working in a start-up. It’s bigger, slower, more political – and far more complex. But when you get it right, you can influence strategy, steer multi-million-dollar roadmaps, and create products that impact thousands, even millions, of users. In this episode of The Better Business Analyst Podcast , Benjamen Walsh shares ten essential truths about ente...

Every new BA makes mistakes — but the best ones learn fast. In this episode, Benjamen Walsh shares the 10 most common missteps new business analysts make, along with practical fixes, tools, and real examples to help you get it right. From jumping into solutions too soon to being afraid to ask “dumb” questions, this is your shortcut to becoming the BA your team needs — faster. 🎧 Subscribe, share,...

Shadow IT: The Secret Weapon – Top 10 Ways Business Analysts Can Use It For Good Think Shadow IT is just a security risk? Think again. In this week’s episode of The Better Business Analyst, I’m breaking down the Top 10 ways Shadow IT can actually help you become a better BA and drive smarter business change. We’ll cover: Spotting Shadow IT – What it is and where to find it Understanding Why It Hap...

What’s it really like working as a Business Analyst in local government? In this episode of The Better Business Analyst Podcast , I’m drawing from real-world council experience to unpack 10 truths every BA should know before stepping into this space. Whether you're mapping legacy processes, digitising citizen services, or navigating political oversight—this sector demands clarity, patience, an...

International trade is high-stakes, high-impact work—and BAs are at the centre of how governments support their exporters and grow economies. In this episode, I share 10 essential things every BA needs to understand if you're working in a trade agency, export business, or supporting businesses going global. From cross-border data constraints to stakeholder diplomacy and exporter experience, th...

Working in the energy industry as a Business Analyst? Or about to walk into the space? In this episode, I unpack the ten things every BA must know—from navigating legacy systems and regulation, to understanding how decarbonisation, safety, and customer experience are changing the game. This is real-world, no-fluff insight drawn from hands-on experience across energy projects large and small. Wheth...

In this episode, I’m diving into the realities of being a Business Analyst in the education sector—where data is fragmented, outcomes matter more than outputs, and the people you serve care deeply about the work. Drawing from years of experience across schools, systems and strategy, I’ll unpack 10 critical things every BA should know if you're heading into education or already deep in the tren...

Ever delivered the exact requirements… and still watched the solution fall flat? In this episode, I break down the top 10 reasons BAs miss the mark – even when everything looks “right” on paper. From unspoken stakeholder expectations to the trap of treating Agile ceremonies as substitutes for real analysis, this is a no-fluff guide to what separates average BAs from truly impactful ones. ✅ Why re...

You don’t need a title to lead — you just need the right approach. In this episode of The Better Business Analyst , I break down the Top 10 ways Business Analysts can influence strategy and drive real business impact — even without a formal leadership role. Each strategy includes: ✅ A key principle 📊 A research-backed insight 💬 A talking point to use in the room 📌 A real-world example from the...