Looking Back on Global Business Analysis Day 2023
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and may not reflect the perspectives of IIBA.
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Just 12 months ago, IIBA’s livestream celebrating Global Business Analysis Day welcomed 4,124 attendees from around the world. This year, that number rose to 6,534 business analysts—a new record for the event.
Business analysis is growing in every corner of the world. And as the community grows with it, more and more business analysts want to take the profession further than it’s ever been.
Global Business Analysis Day was an opportunity to showcase their insights and the shifting business landscape that’s changing the conversation. Featuring over 45 breakout sessions, IIBA’s livestream generated more than 3,000 interactive discussions among attendees.
Here’s a look at the words that dominated the chat boards:
There was a lot to talk about. From artificial intelligence (AI) and sustainability to activism and the psychology of trust, the agenda looked to the future even as it celebrated the past.
Once again, the people who tirelessly contribute to IIBA’s success and the advancement of business analysis were the focus—and rightly so. The award ceremony recognized the outstanding work of volunteers, chapters, and organizations (more on that later).
With that, let’s recap the ideas and achievements of the profession’s big day.
The Future is Bright
This year, the festivities weren’t limited to the day itself. The 20th anniversary of IIBA provided an opportunity to reflect on how far the profession has come and where it’s headed.Leading up to November 1, IIBA launched a writing competition that asked members to share their thoughts on the next big thing in business analysis. According to our Analyst Catalyst blog readers, open source is that thing.
And featuring 20 free shows streamed live throughout October, The BA Jam took viewers from around the world on a journey through the past, present, and future of business analysis—preparing the community for what was to come.
Several insightful presentations officially kicked things off in the Australia session of our livestream, including “Tale of Business Analysis” by Susan Yu. Exploring the relationship between business analysis and AI, the presentation itself was animated with a little help from our robot rulers.
Then, India session attendees were treated to an expert roundtable moderated by Dr. Pradeep Pendse. The panel looked at the latest changes impacting business analysis and the value of treating it as a far-reaching discipline rather than simply a role.
Led by Prassede Colombo in the Africa session, "Sustainable Business Analysis: Why, What, How" spoke to everyone in the virtual room (and glued them to their seats). By helping make organizations more sustainable, business analysts will be key to addressing global climate change.
Over in Europe, Adrian Reed inspired those who tuned in with a talk on doing work for the greater good. What do you really care about? Could you (and would you) put your business analysis skills toward that?
Closing things out, Priyanka Agrawal explored equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in the Americas session. Discussing how business analysis work complements EDI goals, Priyanka argued for the inclusion of EDI in the professional toolkit.
I could go on, but there isn’t a blog long enough to cover all the great conversations that made the day so special. Fortunately, you can access all the session recordings by region:
A big thank you to all the speakers who brought their experience and insights to the global stage.
Celebrating the Year's Best
Above all, Global Business Analysis Day is a celebration of the people and organizations who quietly inspire business success every day.To honour that, IIBA holds an award ceremony for outstanding service to the profession. We recognize special contributions and achievements from chapters, volunteers, and members of IIBA’s Corporate Program.
Watch industry leaders from around the world announce the finalists and winners:
Here’s a breakdown of the winners by award type:
Volunteer of the Year
Americas Western – Ali AksoyAmericas Central – Kat McGill
Americas Northeastern – Ebenezer Ajibade
Americas Southeastern – Aaron Whittenberger
Asia Pacific – Carl Sudholz
Europe, Middle East & Africa – Veselin Politov
India – Krishna Penumudi
Chapter Awards
Business Partner Award – Saudi ArabiaChapter of the Year – South Africa
Chapter Sustainability – Brazil
Community Outreach – Research Triangle Park
Delivering Membership Value – Orange County
Leadership Excellence – United Kingdom
Marketing Excellence – Brussels
Professional Development – Kansas City
Corporate Program Awards
Professional Development in Business Analysis – Accenture, Nedback, UnisuperBusiness Analysis Advancement – ELEKS, EY Global, Shell
Business Analysis Corporate Engagement – EY Ireland, NTT Data, Optus
Congratulations to all the winners for pushing business analysis further in 2023! For more information on these awards, please visit our website.
Final Thoughts
Global Business Analysis Day is nothing new, but this year it felt new. That’s thanks to a growing sense of community and engagement within the profession.Showcasing this, along with the incredible work that business analysts are doing around the world, was a perfect way to celebrate 20 years of IIBA.
The livestream event did just that. And given its increasingly global reach and future-oriented outlook, we're eager to see what next year looks like.
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About the Author
Judy Ward is a highly accomplished professional in the field of event management and planning. With her extensive marketing experience and expertise, she’s obtained both her Certified Meeting Planner and Digital Event Strategist designations. Currently serving as the Events Manager at IIBA, Judy is responsible for orchestrating successful and impactful events for the global business analysis community that bring together industry experts, thought leaders, and professionals from around the world.
