The Better Business Analyst Podcast

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 trenches.

From policy vs people, to why ...

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 requirements ≠ expectations
✅ The hid...

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 field

Whether you’re a juni...

Templates don’t just make life easier—they make you better.

In this BA Bites episode, I break down the 10 most essential templates every Business Analyst should have in their toolkit. These aren’t fluffy checklists or overengineered frameworks. They’re the practical, real-world templates that help you frame work clearly, communicate with stakeholders, and keep delivery on track.

We’re covering:

• Agile BA plans

• Stakeholder mapping

• Pro...

As AI moves from tool to transformation, a new executive role is emerging: the Chief AI Officer. In this episode, Benjamen Walsh breaks down why the CAIO matters, what they actually do, and how this shift is reshaping the work of business analysts.

From strategy and ethics to governance and vendor selection, this BA Bites episode explores 10 essential insights into the rise of the CAIO—plus what it means for your role as a business ...

Pain Points vs. Problems – Why Getting This Right is Everything

🧠 In this episode of The Better Business Analyst, I’m pulling back the curtain on one of the biggest mistakes I see across projects – confusing pain points with actual problems.

Too often we get caught reacting to symptoms instead of diagnosing the root cause. The result? Misguided priorities, wasted effort, and “solutions” that don’t actually solve anything.

In this pra...

Start with the Big Picture – 10 Reasons Context Comes First

Description:
Before you dive into requirements, backlogs or shiny new solutions, ask yourself: do you actually understand the world this project lives in?

In this episode of The Better Business Analyst, I unpack 10 reasons why Business Analysts must start with context—not just the project scope. We’ll explore how understanding strategic drivers, system boundaries, and sta...

How do you engage with diverse, indigenous, and culturally different groups as a Business Analyst—without falling into tokenism or consultation theatre?

In this episode of The Better Business Analyst Podcast, Benjamen Walsh shares 10 practical, real-world strategies for building trust, cultural safety, and authentic engagement across difference.

From using talking circles to co-designing solutions, from recognising consultation fatig...

BA Bites - Top 10 Tips for Completing the Better Business Case Process

Writing a business case doesn’t have to be painful. In this episode, Ben Walsh unpacks 10 practical tips for completing the Better Business Case (BBC) process with confidence and clarity.

You’ll get:

• Proven scripts and language that work in real-world cases

• Advice on avoiding common pitfalls across the 5 Case Model

• Real examples from major public and enterprise p...

Vibe Coding: 10 Essential Insights Before You Let AI Write Your Career Suicide Note

Welcome to the brave new world of vibe coding — where software is built by AI, guided by human vibes, and occasionally blessed with working logic.

In this BABites episode, we break down:

• What vibe coding is and where it came from

• Why developers (and startups) are all over it

• Where it’s brilliant… and where it’s a disaster

• How it creates sneaky tech de...

In this BA Bites episode, we tackle a foundational question:
How do we connect all the bits and pieces of our systems without creating chaos?

We explore:
🔹 Why “One System to Rule Them All” sounds great—but usually fails
🔹 How too many microservices can lead to micro-mess
🔹 The importance of modularity, interoperability, and smart integration
🔹 Tools and techniques BAs can use to drive connected solutions
🔹 Re...

What the heck is MCP and why should business leaders care? In this episode of BA Bites, we break down Modular Communication Protocol (MCP) — the quiet enabler behind smart factories, AI agents, robotics, and real-time automation.

MCP isn’t just tech jargon. It’s what allows machines, AI tools, and systems from different vendors to talk to each other — reliably, securely, and in real time. And it's reshaping the way businesses op...

The role of the Business Analyst is evolving, and more BAs are stepping into Product Owner roles than ever before. But why?

In this episode of BA Bites, we explore:
✅ The impact of Agile and why businesses need fewer requirements gatherers and more decision-makers.
✅ The natural skill overlap between BAs and POs—and why transitioning is easier than you think.
✅ The financial and career growth opportunities that make the PO ...

🎙️ BA Bites: 5 Steps to Tackle Chaos in a New Job or Project

You’ve just stepped into a new job or project, and it’s a complete mess—deadlines are looming, nobody seems aligned, and chaos reigns. So, where do you even start?

In this episode of BA Bites, we break down five practical steps to help you regain control, bring structure to the madness, and start making an impact fast. Whether you’re a Business Analyst, Project Manager, or...

Feeling overwhelmed as a BA?

In this episode of BA Bites, we explore 10 practical ways Business Analysts can use mindfulness and strategic timeouts to reduce risk and improve mental health.

That’s why in the latest episode of BA Bites, I’m diving into 10 ways BAs can use mindfulness and strategic timeouts to reduce risk and improve mental health.

🔹 Taking a breath before reacting
🔹 Using the 5-second rule to prevent overcommitm...

🚀 BA Bites - 10 Things Every BA Must Know About Modern Data Management 🚀

Data is the lifeblood of business decision-making, but how can Business Analysts navigate the ever-evolving landscape of data fabrics, analytics models, and automated pipelines?

In this episode of The Better Business Analyst Podcast, we break down the 10 key things you need to know to get started with modern data management. We cover:

✅ The Data Management Life...

AI is powerful—but it’s also a confident liar. From making up legal cases to spreading financial misinformation, AI “hallucinations” are causing real-world business disasters.

In this episode, we break down:

✅ Shocking AI failures that cost businesses millions
✅ How AI-generated misinformation spreads (and why you should never blindly trust AI insights)
✅ What Business Analysts can do to fact-check AI before it wrecks a pro...

AI is transforming how businesses operate, but do you really know what an AI agent is and how to use one? In this episode ofBA Bites, we break it all down:

✅What AI agents are (and how they think!)
✅How they’re designed and how they make decisions
✅Real-world use cases—from chatbots to automation to predictive analysis
✅Examples of AI agents in action
✅How to set one up and start using AI in your business today

Whether yo...

💡 AI is revolutionising Business Analysis—but where do BAs fit in?

In this episode of BA Bites, I take a fresh look at AI in 2025 and beyond. We’ve talked about AI before, but things are moving fast. From AI copilots writing user stories to predictive analytics shaping business decisions, Business Analysts need to adapt—or risk being left behind.

🎙️ In this episode, we cover:

✔️ AI’s role in automating BA tasks—frie...