Business Analysts are tasked with deconstructing intricate processes and systems in order to re-engineer new and efficient ways of work. Dealing with complexity requires the analyst to use tools to carry out these detailed and involved forms of analysis. In this presentation, we investigate a few tools and methods used to study complex systems and communicate complex ideas to all stakeholders.

Learning Objectives:

• Explain the purpose of using visual representations.
• Categorize types of visual representations and the intended purpose of each.
• Apply common visual tools to study and communicate complex ideas.

Speaker: Dr. Brandon Olson

The idea of developing artificial intelligence (AI) applications is appealing, which is why many organizations have undertaken AI initiatives. However, the results have been widely disappointing. Why do most AI projects fall short of organizations' expectations? How can BAs help organizations take advantage of AI trends while avoiding common pitfalls? This presentation answers these questions and discusses how Business Analysts can help organizations set realistic AI objectives.

Learning Objectives:

• List the main trends in AI that Business Analysts need to understand.
• Discuss the skills needed for AI initiatives.
• Why organizations need Business Analysts for AI success.

Speaker: Yulia Kosarenko

Agile software development introduced the backlog as a beautiful, powerful, and delightfully simple tool for managing variability and uncertainty in modern organizations. Unfortunately, the backlog can also be a major impediment to flow and break the value stream with substantial economic loss. This happens because our traditional model of backlog management presents the backlog as a stack of plates reservoir for the development team.

Agile grew up, and now so does our model of the backlog!

Ryland Leyton, one of the authors of the recent publication "The Rock Crusher: A Flow Based Model for Backlog Management", will discuss key points of how to get the most from your backlog, make all of the work of development visible right from idea to delivery, as well as a short brief on what it was like to get this book written. 

Speaker: Ryland Leyton

Journey…act of traveling from one place to another... a project is a journey.

The journey to NICE (New Integrated Customer Experience). Most stakeholders have a predetermined solution or do not know what they want/need to solve the business problem. This session will focus on the process used by Gas South to create a new self-service site. We will discuss a practical approach to move your digital transformation project forward by providing tips to identify the problem and potential solutions, planning, thinking outside the box, and pivoting.

Speaker: Lori Ford

As UX designers, we have the best intentions for the products we create. The trouble is, we don’t always anticipate the things that cause problems -- the unintended consequences.It’s the design consequences that we didn’t see coming that can have large ramifications, and even do the opposite of what we set out to do. So how can we avoid this? How do we strive to avoid the consequences that can trip up our designs? Creative Director and Senior UX Strategist Cindy Brummer explains the steps designers can and should take in their practice.

Speaker: Cindy Brummer