This episode features my good friend Stu McKinlay, a creative whirlwind who defies categorisation! We met when his colourful personality (and attire!) lit up the room during a job interview for a business analyst role at Z Energy.

But Stu's story goes far beyond suits and spreadsheets. He's a highly successful entrepreneur who founded Yeastie Boys, an award-winning international craft brewery. There, he not only brewed champion beers but also smashed a crowdfunding record, raising half a million dollars in just 30 minutes!

With over 15 years of experience, Stu's a seasoned consultant with a proven track record across various industries, from healthcare and government to energy (and of course, brewing!). He's also a strong communicator and leader, serving on the board of the Brewers Guild of New Zealand.

Beyond his business prowess, Stu's infectious positivity, incredible music taste, and "can-do" spirit make him a true friend. Join us as we chat with Stu, live from his new home in the UK, about his fascinating journey from BA to brewery owner and back again.

You won't want to miss this!

Agile has taken the software development world by storm, but is it all it's cracked up to be? In this episode, we delve into a study revealing a shocking truth: Agile projects are 268% more likely to fail than traditional ones.

https://www.theregister.com/2024/06/05/agile_failure_rates/

We'll break down the key factors contributing to this and explore why Agile might not be the magic bullet we thought it was. Here's what we'll be chewing on:

• The Doc Shock: The Agile Manifesto emphasizes working software over comprehensive documentation. But the study found projects with clear, upfront documentation were 97% more likely to succeed. We'll discuss why ditching docs altogether might not be the best strategy.
• Beyond the Hype: Agile is all about adaptability, but what about getting the requirements right in the first place? The episode will explore how a robust requirements engineering process can boost your project's success rate by a whopping 50%.
• Speaking Up for Success: Psychological safety is crucial for a healthy development team. When engineers feel comfortable discussing problems, project success rates jump by a staggering 87%. We'll explore why creating a safe space for open communication is essential.

This episode is a wake-up call for anyone who blindly follows Agile. We'll propose a solution that balances Agile's flexibility with the importance of upfront planning and clear requirements. Tune in and discover how to ditch Agile failures and achieve successful software delivery!

🎙️ BA Bites: Use Generative AI Today

In this bite-sized episode of BA Bites, we delve into the exciting world of Generative AI and its impact on business analysis. Buckle up as we explore how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing the way we approach BA tasks. 🚀

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has transcended mere buzzwords to become an integral part of our professional lives. As business analysts, we’re at the forefront of this transformative wave. In this episode, we’ll discuss how Generative AI is reshaping the BA landscape and why you should embrace it today.

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