BA Manager Forum

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 150 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 May 2026

In May 2026 170 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.

Workshop A Team Capability Assessment Workshop: Karen Newnham & Gavin Patton

This workshop provided practical insights that may be applied when assessing team capability. The session drew on a recent case study that is underpinned by the Business Analysis Service Framework. The workshop enabled BA managers to:

Assess available frameworks on which to base capability assessment
Think more strategically about effective resource planning and resulting skills development
Appreciate the challenges and potential pitfalls of conducting such an exercise

Team Capability Assessment Workshop

Workshop B The BA Role in Operating Model Design: Caroline Beasley & Phil Slinn

This interactive workshop explored how Business Analysts contribute to the definition and design of Operating models and Target Operating Models (TOMs). Through short presentations, real‑world examples and collaborative discussion, the session demystified what operating models are and where BA insight offers the greatest value.

The session covered:

What operating models are (and what they are not)
Triggers for TOM re-design and how operating models link strategy to delivery
Practical examples of Operating models
Where BAs make the biggest impact—and where opportunities are often missed

Operating Model Presentation

Workshop C The Art of Storytelling for Business Analysts: Rob Gurton & Dawn Parsons

This workshop focused on the benefits of good storytelling techniques across a variety of contexts. Attendees learned about considerations such as the hook, pacing and closure to present narratives and information with impact. Attendees worked through a range of practical exercises and gained:

Clarity on the benefits of storytelling within change delivery
Tools and techniques to use in a range of relevant contexts
Ideas and content to support the work of your BA teams

The Art of Storytelling for Business Analysts

Workshop D State of the (Business Analysis) Nation: Stu Mullinger & Pip Hall

In this workshop, attendees considered the current state of Business Analysis, applying different lenses to think about where we are, where we want to be and how we get there. The discussion explored:

The value propositions offered by Business Analysis and the extent to which organisations are engaging with the services on offer.
The practical application of Business Analysis and the tools and techniques in use.
The Business Analysis job roles and the professional community.

State of the (Business Analysis) Nation

Afternoon Special Interest Workshop

Positive Leadership - Turning Small Actions into Meaningful Impact: Rob Baker

Attendees discovered how positive leadership practices build trust, unlock potential, and create high-performing, resilient teams and workplaces.

This session explored Positive Leadership, drawing on cutting-edge research from positive psychology, behavioural science and leadership development. Positive Leadership focuses on building mindsets, skills and behaviours that fuel sustainable performance and wellbeing.

Key takeaways:

What positive leadership really looks like in day-to-day practice
Why leadership is about behaviour, not job title
The power of mattering and how to foster mattering for yourself and others
Simple leadership actions that may be applied immediately
How to develop positive leadership habits in yourself and others

Positive Leadership