Beyond The Awards: Building Systems Of Constant Achievement

I usually get a lot of queries from the community about programs, events, professional development, and/or membership, and I endeavour to have a 24-hour turnaround time. This one night of the 12th September 2023 I got what seemed like it would be another routine query into my mailbox. I checked the time and it was just after 10.30 PM.

I debated with myself a little bit about whether I should open the email given I had resigned myself to retire for the day. Something said “Open it” and what I read therein made my day (and whole month). The email I opened was from the IIBA Global Director of Chapters & Member Engagement, Jared Gorai , congratulating the Board and South Africa Chapter on making the finals in four (4) of the IIBA Chapter Awards for 2023.?

The process to shortlist the chapter finalists from over 120 chartered IIBA chapters is as intensive, as it is fair. Chapters are evaluated using a published standard called the Chapter Success Factors which is a metrics-based system to evaluate each chapter for eligibility based on key performance areas and indicators.

The adjudication process is overseen by the GCC (Global Chapter Council), who shortlist finalists based on their achievements per category. So to be in the top 3 finalists in the four categories in which we are shortlisted is a massive recognition and tells a story of a chapter at work. We are not building a chapter for awards, we are building systems that would enable our chapter to always be in a great position to win!

Welcome to Edition 3, here is what you could expect in this issue:

• 2023 IIBA Chapter Awards: Recognition is the Start
• Honouring Excellence with the Global BA Achievement Awards
• Strengthening our Corporate Collaboration Efforts
• How the Chapter Fosters the Essence of Community
• Navigating our Revamped Website
• Brewing Fresh Pots of Ideas at our Jozi Lean Coffee Event
• BA Summit SA 2023: September Highlights?

2023 IIBA Chapter Awards: Recognition is the Start

The IIBA is a global organization with over 120 chartered chapters around the world – to make finalists in their global Chapter Awards is nothing to scoff at.?

I am proud to announce that we are finalists in the following four (4) categories:

1. 2023 Chapter Sustainability of the Year - Presented to the IIBA Chapter, that demonstrates the most successful Chapter Sustainability Model, ensuring continued success.?
2. 2023 Business Partner of the Year - Presented to the IIBA Chapter that best demonstrates the highest degree of ability to build mutually beneficial business relationships in their community with sponsors, professional associations, and businesses (customers) that the Chapter can serve.?
3. 2023 Community Outreach & Engagement of the Year - Presented to the IIBA Chapter that best demonstrates the highest commitment to community outreach and engagement.
4. 2023 Chapter of the Year - Presented to the IIBA Chapter that demonstrates the best alignment to the IIBA core purpose through exceptional execution of the seven core concepts.

The winners per category will be announced during the 24 hours celebrations of Global Business Analysis Day, on 1 November 2023. Coincidentally, this year’s event, or part of it, would happen during our annual Business Analysis Summit SA. It will be supercool to share news of a win, if we do win, to the conference gathering.

I also want to also send a special congratulation to three (3) volunteers from the Chapter who were shortlisted as nominees, but did not make the finalists,? in the IIBA Volunteer of the Year Awards:

1. Lesego Siti
2. Liana Ahrens Teixeira , and
3. Zeki Shirinza .

Your service and dedication to the work of the Chapter is dearly valued and we are super proud to have you all in our midst. Kudos to you all!

Honouring Excellence with the Global BA Achievement Awards

Still on awards, we recently got approached by Filip Hendrickx (IIBA Brussels) and Joe Newbert (IIBA South Africa) to participate in the global Business Analysis Achievement Awards 2023 - both as a Chapter sponsor as well as a community. The Achievement Awards recognise business analysis excellence and the team behind them. The best part of it all is that they are global.?

Although there were a few nuances I was hesitant about, Fillip and his team moved fast to align and this has pleased me greatly. I subsequently put the decision to the Board and we all voted unanimously to participate and promote the awards. All efforts to increase and promote the profession of business analysis globally need our support and encouragement, and I am glad to associate our Chapter with the Business Analysis Achievement Awards.

To learn more about the awards and to submit your project(s) for consideration, visit https://ba-achievement-award.org/ for details.

Strengthening our Corporate Collaboration Efforts

In last month’s edition, I alluded to the fact that we had planned to host our first Corporate Engagement Session in September 2023. I am pleased to confirm that indeed our first session happened and it was very robust, honest, and a great foundation-setter.?

We have campaigned for a long time for the opportunity to collaborate with corporates as we see that as integral to a healthy and thriving business analysis ecosystem locally. To witness the attendance of over 21 leaders from 9 corporate organizations joining us at 135 Rivonia was very special. Once again I would like to thank the leadership of Nedbank’s Enterprise Business and Process Analysis (ePABA) for their hospitality.

The forum agreed to meet on a cadence of once a month virtually, and once a quarter in-person. Thank you Koketso Chaba-Matibidi , our IIBA Corporate Program Manager, for being our volunteer-in-chief and helping us break new ground. “I was truly encouraged by the vigorous conversations that our corporate members were engaged in.

The willingness to collaborate among themselves as corporates, and work with the IIBA (global) and the South African Chapter to achieve a common goal of building a robust BA Ecosystem in South Africa is the most amazing part of all,” was what Koketso shared with me post-event.

We encourage more organisations who are keen to get involved in shaping the profession and practice of business analysis to get in contact with Koketso at [email protected]. The stronger the collaboration between the chapter and organisation, the stronger the value and profession of business analysis!

How the Chapter Fosters the Essence of Community

We launched the much-anticipated CBDA Certification Preparation Classes in September to much fanfare. As part of the launch activities, we hosted an information session where our lead facilitator - Claudine Perumal l shared details about how the classes would be structured, PD hours, writing exams, and so on.?

A few days later, during an ad hoc catch-up, Claudine told me that a training organisation approached her with an offer for her to be the lecturer for the same course with them. This pleased me greatly because in a healthy community, this is the core, the essence of being a member of it.? A good community should be a safe space for you to volunteer, grow, network, and also get fresh opportunities.?

This is definitely one of the reasons why I have been volunteering with the South Africa Chapter for almost a decade. It is a nurturing and vibrant community that gives more back than it takes. Do you also have a great story to share about how your community has been valuable to you? Share your stories with me at [email protected].

Navigating our Revamped Website

For a long time, I used to get gripes from the community about the out-of-date information on our website. While we extensively use our social media platforms to disseminate information, our website is just as crucial in our communications mix. There are people who prefer to go directly to the website and have, for the most part, been disappointed at the way we previously maintained the site.?

I am pleased to report that Lara Sueltz , our VP for Technology, has been hard at work to revamp our site and make it relevant again. If you visit the website today you will notice a few cosmetic updates and fixes which have been done.?

The first thing you will notice is that our slider images at the top of the page now show actual IIBA SA members at our last BA Summit SA - so everyone visiting our site can see who our actual members are and what we do.?

Secondly, our welcome note has also been updated to include Durban as one of our point of presence regions. Although small, in comparison to Joburg, Durban has shown amazing and continuing growth.?

Thirdly, we have also added more information about our “Purpose” and “Vision” as well as links to receive our newsletter, go to our various socials, become a volunteer, and links to our Gold sponsors websites.?

Fourthly, we have fixed an issue with the link to our “Events” on the homepage, so all new and upcoming events now display on the front page.

Lastly, we have added a new “Governance” page under the “About Us” menu. There is also a new “Awards & Recognition” page where we will spotlight Chapter & Member excellence.?

Head over to www.southafrica.iiba.org to see our refreshed website and share your feedback with us.

Brewing Fresh Coffee at our recent Jozi Lean Coffee Event

Lean Coffee events, especially face-to-face ones, are one of the many reasons I enjoy being a member of the Chapter. Pre-Covid lockdowns, we would meet every so often to talk about issues concerning business analysis in a jovial and relaxed atmosphere over a hot cuppa and croissant. The event left you feeling like your issues were not insurmountable and it was also a? prime-networking opportunity.

I am excited to see the return of the in-person Lean Coffee events - the first being the Joburg Region Lean Coffee which was hosted at AJ Whisks - a cozy bakery and cafe in Melrose Arch. The session was lively, new ideas flowed, and great solutions were advanced.?

Well done Bareng Letsapa , Lungile Mnguni , and the entire organizing committee for a stellar job. Let’s do it again soon!

BA Summit SA 2023: September Highlights

Confirmed ticket sales for this year’s edition of the conference indicate that we are at pre-pandemic levels. We are now finalising and tying loose ends before the major spectacle at the end of October 2023.?

The orgnisers have told me that workshops are almost sold out – I urge you not to wait until the last minute to get your ticket or buy a sponsorship package as you might be disappointed. Direct your ticket or sponsorship queries to [email protected].??

Thank you to all our 2023 sponsors - Lead 2 Tech, DVT, IQbusiness, FTI, and Business Change Academy - for partnering with us to host the summit. The BA Summit SA is a great platform for organisations, big and small, to showcase their offerings and recruit good talent.

We have started a podcast to chronicle the experience of two volunteers to the Summit, Zilondile Ngoveni and Retha Fraser (CBAP) , called “BA Bites”. BA Bites is a fun, unscripted pod that will talk about their joy before-, during-, and after the Summit including all things analysis. Over time they will also feature other guests as well. Their first episode is up, check it out.

While on the topic of the Summit, I want to confirm with great excitement that the CEO of IIBA Global, Delvin Fletcher , will be at the Summit - a great honour for our Chapter and our conference.??

Conclusion

We have a lot to be proud of as a chapter and we are still hungry for more success. The BA Summit SA is a premier conference and always leaves us wanting for more. Our website is an important platform in our communications mix and that is why we need to keep it current and relevant, while we are proud to be finalists in prestigious awards and to partner with the global business analysis achievement awards committee, we do not exist for awards - they are a result of our relentless pursuit for excellence. Our vision remains the same: “...to be the home of Business Analysis practitioners in South Africa.”

Lastly, a great chapter needs great volunteers. If you would like to volunteer to help us with communications, graphic design, technology support, helping members prepare for certifications, helping us run our mentorship programs, and/or arrange events, let me know by dropping me your short resume and area of interest at [email protected].?

Until next time,

Tshepo Matjila??

President | [email protected]?