Since 2009 AssistKD has supported and sponsored the BA Manager Forum (BAMF). A highly respected professional body, BAMF helped to develop the International Advanced Diploma in Business Analysis, co-ordinated employer efforts to launch the Level 4 Apprenticeship in Business Analysis and is the awarding body for the Expert BA Award.

Regular Events for BA Leaders

Over 100 BA Managers attend regular BAMF events where they:

• engage with and network with their peers
• participate in workshops and presentations, sharing knowledge and best practice;
• develop a common understanding of the (relatively new) BA Manager role;
• work together to advance the BA profession.

Easy-to-Download Business Analysis Resources

We did not realise until we counted, but the BA Manager Forum has now generated output from close to 100 presentations and workshops, across a wide range of BA leadership topics. These downloadable resources include white papers, webinars, session slides, presentation notes and workshop output with many ‘ready-to-use’ sessions.

For ease of accessibility, we have moved the BAMF content to this dedicated area of the AssistKD Learning Zone, where it will be updated after every Forum event. There’s something for everyone, we hope you find the resources useful.

Please find the BAMF output organised by topic, below. Or, if you are looking for something specific, click here to search all content by keyword.

If you would welcome more information on the BA Manager Forum and/or wish to attend future events, please e-mail lawrence.darvill@assistkd.com with your details. Forum events are open to anyone with management or leadership responsibility for business analysis in their organisation.

Output from BAMF June 2025

In June 2025 over 140 BA practice leaders gathered to attend our latest BA Manager Forum event. Slides that accompanied the workshops can be viewed below. Articles based on the workshops will follow shortly.

The BA Team Expo - A Case Study

An "expo" offers the opportunity for an exhibitor to stage an event to showcase their products or services. This workshop described a BA team exercise within LV Insurance where the BA role, skills, and service provision were reviewed and evaluated before showcasing the findings to the wider organisation. The exercise focused on increasing diversity of thinking within the team, learning together in a "safe" environment, and promoting the BA service offering. The workshop explained the LV team exercise, the outcomes and lessons learned and provided an opportunity for attendees to consider their teams, skills and services.

• The BA Team Expo

Workshop B - Megatrends and Strategic Considerations for the BA – Lisa Hudson

Strategy is a concept that originates in ancient history and has roots grounded in the military. Today, strategy is employed in many domains including sports, industry, and government. Corporate strategy is used by business leaders in boardrooms all over the world to direct organisational behaviour and drive success. Thinking more strategically is a fundamental skill for any BAs seeking higher level roles or earlier engagement in change.

This insightful and interactive workshop looked at the following strategic considerations through the lens of a case study: megatrends, corporate social responsibility, industry disruption, competitive positioning and finding new oceans for growth.

• Megatrends Slides
• Megatrends Handout

Workshop C - Re-evaluating the Expert BA Award – Michelle Shakesheff and Beth Downing

In 2012 a group of BA managers set out to quantify and recognise what constituted a BA working at the highest possible level. Through workshops, they were able to capture the professional, personal, and business skills possessed by those truly excelling in the role; the top 1% or 2% of the BA profession. The skills profile formed the basis of a white paper that was circulated more widely to BA leaders as well as IT and Change Directors from a range of industries. You can read the original output here. The wider feedback shaped the criteria for what became known as The Expert BA Award.

This workshop invited attendees to revisit the Award, review the skills profile and re-shape what is required of BAs working at the very highest level. Attendees re-evaluated the skillset and benchmark what is achievable within the profession. Discussion also covered how the Award might operate going forwards.

• Re-evaluating the Expert BA Award

Workshop D - Harnessing BA Resilience, through Storytelling, Strengths, and Strategies – Jo Frances and Corrine Thomas

This workshop centred on the increasing need for resilience in the working life of the business analyst. Attendees reflected on the challenges faced, personal learnings and traits of resilient people. Importantly, discussion focused on the use of easily accessible approaches and strategies that can be adopted to build an effective resilience toolkit. The workshop offered insights to support personal development and many practical take-aways that may be used both personally and with your BA teams.

• Harnessing BA Resilience
• Wheel of Resilience

Afternoon Special Interest Workshop

Digital Wellbeing: Recharge Your Focus and Reboot Your Life – Petra Velzeboer

In a world of constant digital distraction, managing technology and AI effectively is key to avoiding burnout and staying focused. With work-life balance blurred and digital connection often leading to increased loneliness, it’s more important than ever to set clear intentions and boundaries. In this keynote, Petra shared science-backed insights and practical strategies to help teams navigate digital overload, boost focus, and create a culture that supports both productivity and wellbeing.

• Digital Wellbeing