AGILE BA TRAINER AND COACH | MIND AT WORK CONSULTING
Kathy Berkidge
With a background in software development, Kathy is an agile BA professional with over 30 years of experience in I.T. She provides business analysis and agile training and consulting services to many organisations in a variety of industries, as well as speaks internationally on topics relating to agile, mindset and business analysis. Kathy works with teams to improve teamwork, be more innovative and deliver better customer value. She is passionate about seeing people, teams and organisations thrive in an environment of collaboration and harmony.
Online Presentation: I’m a BA – not a bot! Why AI will never replace us
AI is being used in all sorts of workplaces and industries. BAs rightfully worry that their roles may be taken over by ChatGPT or other technology. Without a doubt, AI will impact our role and we must learn to leverage it as a tool. However, AI will never replace business analysts.
At the heart of business analysis is human interaction. BAs connect with their stakeholders by building rapport, listening with empathy, and remaining present. AI can not develop trust and connection. It does not have consciousness or emotions. At best, all AI can do is simulate emotional intelligence through algorithms and learned patterns.
In this session, we will explore the BA skills and superpowers we posses that AI can never replace.
Sydney & Brisbane Presentation: Better Business Analysis with the BA Planning Canvas
When it comes to business analysis, all too often BAs get stuck right in to doing their work, eliciting requirements, creating models, consulting stakeholders, running workshops and writing documentation without much planning. The BA work required may be included as a task (or two) in the project plan by the project manager, if at all.
This lack of planning can be the cause of missing or inaccurate requirements and solution failure, not to mention lots of re-work, stress and unmet stakeholder expectations – regardless of being an agile project or not. Due to change and uncertainty, detailed plans will inevitably become outdated, and a lot of waste can occur trying to keep them accurate. However, not enough planning is equally problematic.
This session will explore business analysis planning along with the ‘BA Planning Canvas’, a new tool to help us plan our work efficiently. By planning our BA activities more effectively, we will help ensure our projects deliver business value though better business analysis.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the importance of planning business analysis work.
- Identify the elements of an effective business analysis plan.
- Use the BA Planning Canvas to plan and deliver better business analysis.
Brisbane Panellist: Business Analysis 3.0: Human-Centred, Tech-Enabled, Boldly Evolving
Business analysis is no longer confined to a role – it’s a critical capability that empowers organisations to adapt, innovate, and deliver value in an era of rapid change and technological disruption. As the demand for human-centred, value-driven delivery grows, business analysis continues to evolve: blending structured analysis with empathy, adaptability, and bold experimentation.
In this dynamic panel, practitioners and change leaders will share diverse perspectives on how business analysis as a capability is being reimagined. From product thinking to agile coaching to enterprise transformation, we’ll explore how analysis enables stronger human connections, sharper decisions, and sustainable innovation.
Through the lenses of Rethink, Reconnect, and Revolutionise, the discussion will unpack:
- How business analysis practices and responsibilities are evolving, and which traditional approaches no longer serve us
- How empathy, trust, and active listening elevate collaboration across hybrid and cross-functional teams
- How emerging tools and technologies (e.g., AI, automation) are reshaping the business analysis toolkit and accelerating impact
If you’ve ever asked “How can business analysis stay relevant, powerful, and future-focused?”
Well, this session will provide insights and inspiration to help you harness Business Analysis as a capability for transformation.