Next Level BA: Moving Beyond the Role to Lead with Purpose

By Bikramjeet Singh Suman 

I had the privilege of attending the Next Level BA workshop, led by Vaughan Luckman and hosted by Redvespa Consultants Limited.

A big thank you to Matt Duce and Dani Mao for extending this opportunity to Ilgar Isayev and I at Otago Polytechnic Auckland International Campus.

It was a reflective session to step into the next level of business analysis by acting with intention, leading with courage, and taking risks for a higher purpose and collective good.

Here are a few takeaways that resonated with me:

Outcome-focused thinking

We often get caught up in deliverables, but today’s session reminded me that true impact comes from shifting our lens to outcomes. We discussed how to defining what “good looks like”—in terms of business value and customer impact—can dramatically sharpen focus and align project efforts.

From ambiguity to clarity

We spoke about problem definition as ap journey—from vague, undefined issues to clearly articulated problem statements. I reflected on my own experiences where the project only found its direction once we had the courage to ask the hard questions and sit with the ambiguity before rushing into action.

 “Planning to plan”

This was a fresh idea for me: breaking down the planning process itself into smaller, deliberate steps. It helped me reframe planning not as a one-time event, but as an evolving structure.

Balancing process and purpose

We explored the tension between doing things right (following processes) and doing the right thing (driving meaningful outcomes). It made me rethink how often we default to compliance over value—and how important it is to challenge that when necessary.

Navigating organisational dynamics

One powerful insight was breaking the project plan into two parts:

Part A: Understanding and navigating the organisation’s culture, stakeholders, and behaviours.

Part B: Solving the actual business problem.

This really hit home for me. I’ve seen how projects falter when Part A is overlooked—when we ignore power dynamics, assumptions, or unspoken cultural barriers. It's a critical reminder that soft skills are strategy.

Overall, the workshop helped me realise that the next level of business analysis is not about mastering more techniques—it’s about leading with purpose, clarity, and influence. It’s about showing up differently: working on the project, not just in it. I left the session with not only new tools, but a stronger sense of responsibility to lead thoughtfully in complex environments.