The Art of Workshop Facilitation
Workshops can be magic… or absolute chaos. Most of the initiated have sat in sessions that left us energised and aligned - and others that felt like three hours of our lives we’ll never get back. So we wanted to break down what actually makes a workshop work: the tools, techniques, behaviours, and little facilitation moves that turn “a meeting” into something that genuinely unlocks the ‘why’, the ‘how’ or the momentum.
This one is for anyone who’s ever been handed a marker, a vague objective, and a room full of hopeful faces — and thought, “…right, here we go.”
If you run workshops, join them, dread them, or wish yours landed better, this guide is for you.
From requirement to sketch: How to use low-fidelity design to drive better conversations
Most requirements fail not because they’re wrong, but because everyone imagined something different.
Low‑fidelity sketching closes that gap faster than any document ever could. With nothing more than boxes, arrows, and rough lines, you can turn vague ideas into shared understanding — before assumptions harden and delivery begins.
This article shows how sketching bridges the space between requirement and solution, why “rough” is often better than “right”, and how a simple pen‑and‑paper habit can transform workshops, conversations, and outcomes.
Business Analysis: The Gateway Career You Didn’t Know You Were Already Qualified For
This article introduces the BA Experience & Opportunity (ExOpp) Model — a new way to understand Business Analysis not as a linear career ladder but as a gateway into multiple professional paths.
It explores how the BA role gives you rare, early exposure to the whole organisation: cross‑functional visibility, decision‑making insight, transferable skills, and a deep understanding of how change really happens. Whether you lean toward product, delivery, design, strategy or leadership, the BA role becomes the foundation that makes each direction possible.
BA isn’t the destination — it’s the doorway.
Designing with Purpose
Designing with Purpose is a call to arms for anyone tired of tech for tech’s sake. It champions User-Centred Design as more than a methodology—it’s a mindset that puts people at the heart of digital change.
From notional portals to Ireland’s public services that actually work, this piece explores how empathy, structure, and co-creation can transform software from something users ‘put up with’ to something they truly trust.
Service Design: Creating Inclusive Experiences
Discover how thoughtful Service Design can transform ordinary experiences into extraordinary moments of inclusivity and joy.
Using a simple board game as a starting point, this blog explores how designing with empathy and a holistic approach empowers organisations to better serve their users, uncover internal strengths, and drive innovation. Learn how Service Design creates meaningful connections and lasting impact for all stakeholders.
Breaking into Tech
Do you need to be Technical to work in Tech? Nope.
The tech industry isn’t just for developers and engineers—non-technical roles like Service Designers, Business Analysts, and Organisational Change Managers are driving innovation and shaping user experiences every day.
Discover how these professionals bridge the gap between technology, business, and people, and learn how you can carve out your own rewarding path in this dynamic field. Dive in to explore the future of non-technical careers in tech!
How Apps Are Made
How are Apps made?
How do you go from an idea on a sticky to an icon that you click that acts as a gateway to entertainment, better business outcomes, a more organised home life or an easier day at school?
Every app you use, on your phone, on your laptop or your tablet has been carefully designed and built by a team that has taken the time to understand what problem needs to be solved and what gets the best result for the user.
In this Blog Drew steps through each of the phases of the Software Development Lifecycle and talks to why things happen and when.
Writing Good User Stories
Good user stories are the backbone of a project – ok, that might be dramatic but it is an output that if done badly, can affect a project's timeline and quality. To write good user stories, we need to look at what constitutes a good one!
Decoding the Data Dictionary
In the realm of business analysis, where data reigns supreme, the importance of maintaining a comprehensive data dictionary can’t be overstated. A data dictionary serves as the backbone of any organisation's data infrastructure, providing a centralised repository of information about data elements, their definitions, relationships, and attributes. As a business analyst, I've witnessed firsthand the transformative power of a well-maintained data dictionary in driving informed decision-making and fostering data-driven strategies. In this blog post, we'll delve into the significance of maintaining a data dictionary and explore practical tips for ensuring its effectiveness.
Nailing a BA Interview
The Business Analyst role is such a complex role to define, as it can take so many different forms. It’s not wholly scientific, and its not quite an Art. It lives somewhere in the middle, in the grey, which is ironic as this kind of ambiguity is like Kryptonite to a good BA!