The Better Business Analyst Podcast

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 working with recruiters to managing your ow...

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 embed continuous discovery in your BA ...

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-world examples from energy, government,...

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 everyday BA scenarios, this episode gives y...

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 enterprise product management – each with...

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, and tune in weekly for more practical...

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:

1. Spotting Shadow IT – What it is and where to find it

2. Understanding Why It Happens – The hidden gaps it exposes

3. Ba...

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, and sharp analysis.

We’ll cover:

• Gove...

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, this is your BA map for global impact.

...

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.

Whether you're in generation, retail, ...

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...