What Do BA's Need to Know About AI?

Let’s be clear: BAs need a strong understanding of AI to thrive and help organizations successfully implement AI solutions. However, many BAs aren’t sure where to start or what they need to know—and that’s where I can help.

The pace of change is heating up and as we dash forward through the last half of the year, we are all feeling it!

I help BAs build essential AI skills in several ways:

• BA-Cube Community: Offering both free and paid memberships, the BA-Cube community provides courses, live events, and discussions focused on how AI intersects with business analysis.
• BA Manager Community: Designed to help BA Managers elevate their teams with the support of three BA experts. Through community events, live discussions, and expert guidance, we focus on helping managers develop their teams’ skills—especially in AI.
• Newly Released Book: FutureProof: Co-authored with Tim Coventry, CBAP? , this book is packed with insights to prepare BAs for the future, including AI trends and strategies.

Crafting solid requirements can be challenging—it's easy to get overwhelmed by all the details and demands.

Feeling the pressure to rush through requirements just to keep development moving? Struggling to stay focused on what truly makes a requirement good amidst all the chaos and looming deadlines?

Ever find yourself deep in a project and realize you've lost sight of the basics? ??

Sometimes, what we really need is a clear, concise 1-pager to bring us back to the essentials. ??

Great news! For September, the BA-Cube Requirements Checklist is our featured download. This simple, 1-page guide will help you reset and refocus on creating quality requirements. Don’t miss out!

Join the BA-Cube Free Community and download the Requirements Checklist here: BA-Cube.mn.co

Angela's Recent LinkedIn Live Event - In Case You Missed It!

Did you miss Angela’s recent LinkedIn Live with Joshua Barnes? No worries—you can still watch the recorded session!

In this insightful conversation, Angela and Joshua dive into Value Stream Mapping, a versatile technique used by professionals across various roles. What makes this session unique? Angela and Joshua realized they approach Value Stream Mapping from different perspectives, so they hit pause on their informal chat to turn it into a deeper discussion, live!

If you’re curious about how different viewpoints can enhance your understanding of this powerful tool, watch the replay .

BA-Cube Community

BA-Cube is where my deep content is! Exclusive content, exclusive conversations, exclusive events! Are you ready to thrive?

We have made big improvements to our BA-Cube platform – your hub for Business Analysts to Engage, Learn, and Connect in an ad-free, social media-style environment. This one-of-a-kind resource is designed exclusively for BAs like you!

Come experience community, social learning, events, courses, and connecting with experts and peers from around the globe!

Step into a world of modern connectivity with custom notifications, a sleek mobile app, and a vibrant feed filled with insightful articles, thought-provoking questions, polls, exclusive videos from Angela, and real-world insights from your peers.

BA-Cube is your go-to platform for continuous learning and professional growth.

A BA-Cube Premium Membership offers an exclusive, modern, and continuous learning in small chunks, a little each week, to be completed on your own time. You will have access to our entire library of courses, weekly Live Events to dive deeper into the learning, the ability to interact with other professionals, receive feedback from experts, and hear from others, all of which has a powerful impact to help you learn fast and get results!

This is your chance to experience all the benefits of a BA-Cube Premium Membership at no cost to start. Here’s what is included in a Premium Membership:

• Community to share, connect, and grow with 1000s of BAs
• OnDemand Courses (20+, IIBA Endorsed): Access a wide range of courses with interactive chats with peers and Angela.
• 2 AI & BA Courses: Stay ahead with our latest course on AI and Business Analysis. More coming!
• AI Guide: 10 Steps to BA work on an AI Project
• Exclusive Live Coaching/Mentoring Events: Gain insights from Angela?and other BAs, we talk about AI a lot!
• Skill Assessments: Evaluate and enhance your skills with our comprehensive assessments.
• Extensive Content Library: Access videos, articles, and templates to support your learning journey.

Learning and growing your skills goes beyond taking courses. Practice, apply, and truly grow with our supportive community. BA-Cube Premium Membership provides the learning experience needed for today's changing environment!

Join us today and immerse yourself in learning, sharing, and engaging with a community of like-minded professionals dedicated to your success in Business Analysis.?

Take advantage of the free trial offer today!

Upcoming Events and Conversations:?Here are just a few of the events you can look forward to as a member:

• Fri, Sept 27: User Scenarios (Text Chat)
• Thurs, Oct 3: Tough Stakeholder Dialogue
• Tues, Oct 8: AI in State Diagram Analysis
• Thurs, Oct 17: Working with Developers
• Tues, Oct 22: Organizational Change Management (Text Chat)
• Wed, Oct 30: Use Cases

Calling all BA Managers

Are you a BA Manager?

Do you often wonder how other BA Managers tackle the same challenges you face? ??

Would you love to have experts weigh in with fresh ideas, concepts, and resources? ??

Join the BA-Cube BA Manager Community—the go-to place for BA Managers to ask questions, share experiences, and connect! ?? With three global experts hosting community chats and events, you'll gain valuable insights and strategies to elevate your skills in managing BAs and running a successful BA practice. ??

We've got you covered!?

Introducing the BA-Cube BA Manager Community! Leading a successful BA practice can be challenging and sometimes isolating, but you don’t have to do it alone! This unique community, hosted by expert consultants in the field, brings together BA Managers from around the world. Whether you're seeking advice, sharing experiences, or staying ahead of industry trends, this is the place for you.

Join the BA-Cube BA Manager Community to:

• Share your challenges and successes: Gain insights and advice from others who understand your role.
• Learn together about how AI is impacting your role and your team: Stay informed on how cutting-edge technology is reshaping the BA landscape.
• Connect and collaborate with peers: Build a network of professionals who can offer support, ideas, and inspiration.

We have assembled a dream team of experts for the Community! Our expert hosts will be available in chat forums and exclusive BA Manager Community Events. They will be discussing the latest challenges and trends in BA Practices and leadership, including how AI is transforming the Business Analysis?field. Meet Our Expert?Hosts:

• Barbara Carkenord: An industry veteran with extensive experience in business analysis and project management.
• Christina Lovelock: A leading expert in BA practices, known for her insightful strategies and innovative approaches.
• Angela Wick: A renowned BA leader and consultant, specializing in modernizing BA practices and integrating AI.

BA-Cube BA Leader/Manager Space -?Upcoming Events and Conversations

• Thu Sept 19th - Recruiting and Hiring BAs - w/ Host Christina Lovelock
• Thu Oct 3rd - Showing BA Value with AI - w/ Host Angela Wick
• Wed Oct 9th - Problem of the Month - w/ Host Barbara Carkenord?
• Tues Oct 15th - Building a BACoE or BA Practice - Text Chat w/ Host Angela Wick
• Wed Oct 16th - Improving your team's Facilitation skills w/ Host Barbara Carkenord
• Thu Oct 24th - Supporting and developing junior & entry level BAs - w/ Host Christina Lovelock
• Tues Oct 29th - Building a BACoE or BA Practice - Text Chat w/ Host Angela Wick
• Fri Nov 1st - AI and Business Analysis Chat - w/ Host Angela Wick
• Wed Nov 13th - Problem of the Month - w/ Host Barbara Carkenord?
• Wed Nov 20th - Improving your team's Facilitation skills w/ Host Barbara Carkenord
• Mon Nov 25th - Is Leadership a Skill? (& Can we improve?) -w/ Host Christina Lovelock

The Membership: For an annual fee of $249, you get exclusive access to a wealth of resources designed specifically for BA Managers. Here’s what’s included:

• Twice Monthly Events: Exclusive events to connect with?Barbara, Christina and Angela as well as other BA Managers to Ask, Share, and Discuss.
• 24x7 Online Chat Forums: Feeds and Chats.?
• Creating a Modern BA Practice Course: Comprehensive course to modernize your BA practice.
• Global Community: Access to a global BA community and global experts.

Join us now and become part of this dynamic community!?

Any questions? Email Angela at [email protected]

Did you miss the LinkedIn Live event on "Building High-Performing BA Teams" with Barbara, Christina, and Angela ? The event took place on August 30th, but you can still watch the full recording! ??

In this engaging session, our experts shared valuable insights on how to build, lead, manage, and inspire Business Analyst teams to achieve exceptional results. Whether you're a seasoned BA Manager or just starting to establish a BA practice in your organization, the recording is filled with practical strategies and advice to empower your journey.

Don't miss this opportunity to learn from industry leaders, connect with the BA community, and explore what our community for Business Analyst Managers & Practice Leaders has to offer. Watch the recording now to gain the knowledge and inspiration you need to elevate your BA teams!

Learn more here!

Futureproof: Amplifying Agility with AI and Insightful Business Analysis

One of the Top 10 AI books on Amazon!! Kindle version is now available!!

Futureproof: Amplifying Agility with AI and Insightful Business Analysis is a pivotal guide for leaders and practitioners navigating the transformative power of AI in today’s fast-paced business environment.

This book offers a profound exploration of how organizations can harness the synergy of advanced business analysis and AI to foster agility, innovation, and competitive advantage. With a focus on practical frameworks, real-world applications, and continuous improvement, it provides a roadmap for integrating AI solutions that align with strategic goals and customer value.

Through engaging vignettes, evidence-based decision-making, and a culture of measurement and evaluation, "Futureproof" empowers business analysts to adapt, pivot, and thrive amidst technological advancements and market complexities.

Dive into this essential read to unlock high-performing business analysis and lead your organization to success in the AI-driven era.

Order here: ORDER

Authors: Angela Wick Angela Wick and Tim Coventry, CBAP?

Which resonates most with you, and/or what would you add?

? Your domain knowledge might get you the job, but it won't advance your analysis skills and make you successful for long. Great analysis skills are a key part of the job and there are 100s of analysis techniques that will trump domain knowledge everyday.

? As AI takes flight, your relationship, communication, and influence skills will become an even bigger factor in your success.

? AI won't do the work for you, but will assist you. You still need to validate what it produces and understand it deeply. It will only amplify your existing and/or missing analysis skills!

? Your best successes will be thinking about what your stakeholders will need 5-10 years from now and work backwards into milestones to align that to the things they say they need now. Mindset and future thinking is what brings success, not doing exactly what they ask for.

? It's not about documentation, this will be automated, it's about thinking and relating. It's about connecting the dots that others don't have the same information to see and connect. Then acting appropriately on those connections.

? Show your value everyday vs. telling others about your value. We can't complain that others don't see the value....if they don't see the value, then you are likely not adding the expected value. Change your mindset and how you perform the role, and focus on connecting with the purpose of your role and how you add value. Focus on solving end user challenges and show how your work makes others lives easier.

? It takes a lot of training and practice to perform this role well and get really good at it. Keep trying new skills in different situations and seek out the best practices and feedback. It's not easy, but it is worth it!