The Essential Business Analyst

A Modern Guide to the Evolving Role of the Business Analyst

In a world reshaped by AI and constant change, the role of the Business Analyst has never been more vital. Today’s BAs don’t just gather requirements; they think critically, connect people and ideas, and turn complexity into clarity.

The Essential Business Analyst is a modern, practical guide to thriving in this new landscape. Written by a BA with over 20 years’ experience, it blends timeless analysis principles with forward-thinking insights for the AI era. You’ll learn how to:

- Engage stakeholders and communicate effectively
- Elicit and define clear, structured, and verifiable requirements
- Map processes, analyse data needs, and drive transformation
- Adapt confidently across Agile, Waterfall, and hybrid projects
- Apply critical thinking to solve complex problems
- Use AI as a co-pilot—enhancing productivity, creativity, and insight—while staying ethical and in control
- Navigate and thrive in fast-paced startup environments
- Balance ambition and wellbeing to build a sustainable career

Along the way, you’ll discover original frameworks you won’t find anywhere else: Data Needs Analysis (DNA), the Combined Analysis Toolkit (CAT), the STRUCTURED framework for defining robust requirements, and the BA Career Audit—a unique way to apply your BA skills to your own growth.

Whether you’re new to the field or an experienced professional, this book will help you think bigger, analyse smarter, and lead with confidence in the AI age.