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Workshops are only as effective as the engagement of the participants. But what happens when you find yourself working with quiet, shy or disengaged attendees? Whether you are a business analyst facilitating a requirements elicitation workshop, a project manager running a planning session or a team leader brainstorming solutions, this is a common challenge faced by facilitators. The truth is, disengagement is not always a sign of disinterest. Quiet participants might be introverted, processing information internally, or unsure how to…

In the age of social media, cybersecurity incidents can cause not only financial loss and legal troubles, but also reputational damage. As cyberattacks get more and more frequent and more and more sophisticated, cybersecurity has become one of the most vital and challenging issues faced by governments and organisations today. In 2023 alone, there were multiple high profile data breaches in Australia, including ones involving a health insurance company, a major telco and a financial service provider. The average cost…

In recent months since the rise of ChatGPT, we have witnessed a major transformation in how organisations operate. As intriguing as it is, there are also worries in the professional world. People are wondering: will my job be safe? Will the business analysis role still remain relevant in an AI-driven world? To understand the impact of AI on the business world, let’s first have a look at some major technological disruptions of the last few decades, and how they transformed…

If you are looking for motivation to stay positive as we are about to bid 2020 adieu, have a look at some encouraging data that IRM Training collected below. Quick SummarySignificant increase in average salary.Noticeable improvement in gender pay gap.3 things influence job satisfaction more than remuneration. Business Analyst Salary The survey conducted by the IIBA® in mid 2020 found that the average salary for Business Analysis roles in Australia was $137,681 (AUD). The average from its 2019’s survey was…

As we advance towards the holiday and the New Year, let’s have a look at the latest developments impacting upon business analysts in 2019. Quick SummaryFuture growth and prospect for the role remain positive.Business Data Analytics is now the most sought-after field for career advancement.3 industries are offering top salaries to their BAs, up to 22% above national average. According to government statistics the prospects for the broader business analysis profession are for strong future growth and lower unemployment. This…

IIBA®’s salary survey has recently become available to members and today we’re sharing some of its most valuable insights on the business analyst role in 2018 and what to expect in 2019 and beyond. The majority of Australian business analysts have less than one year experience, with the second largest group having 3-5 years experience. Future career paths for business analysts include: Consultant Management Data Analytics Business Architecture Product Owner Project Manager Product Manager In terms of salary, IIBA® recorded…

Analysis is an important part of life here at IRM and we like to help keep our readers up to date. Last month’s IRM newsletter featured an article focusing on the value-add a business analyst can provide by designing business solutions for their clients.     But before you can design anything, you need to understand what the problem is. Whatever technique you might use – interviewing, observation, process decomposition, root cause analysis – you have to live up to the…

This month’s article returns to a theme relevant to all business analysts – visual communication. I don’t mean putting text on PowerPoint slides, instead it’s about using diagrams and sketches to understand as-is systems and to explore to-be solutions. Here are just a few examples of how diagrams can kick-start a conversation: • Can you draw me a diagram of how you’re process currently works • Where are the bottlenecks? • What if we tried re-arranging the sequence of steps?…

Walkthrough meetings are one of the common business analysis techniques identified in the BABOK. They’re used to identify (but not necessarily correct) errors or inconsistencies in work products – for example a walkthrough of a requirements document might be used to verify the completeness of requirements. If you’re running a walkthrough meeting it can be a bit daunting. It’s all too easy to get off track or try to fix (rather than just identify) problems. Here’s a guide to help…