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Join the IIBA Ottawa-Outaouais, Palmetto, Nova Scotia, and DC Metro Chapters for our Lunch & Learn session as we explore a practical, technique-driven approach to navigating complexity as a Business Analyst. Whether you work in agile, hybrid, or traditional environments, this session gives Business Analysts a tool to improve decision-making, professional growth, stakeholder decision-making, and alignment. (Date change due to illness)

Seeing the Forest and the Trees: A Professional Clarity Framework for Business Analysts Navigating Complexity

Description:

As Business Analysts advance in their careers, they often move beyond structured analysis into environments characterised by stakeholder ambiguity, competing priorities, and evolving strategic demands. While many professionals develop strong technical skills, there is often limited structure for reflecting on how their capabilities evolve in these complex environments.

This session introduces the Ambidextrous Thinking™ Framework from The Ambidextrous Project Manager (TAPM) — a practical technique that helps Business Analysts balance strategic thinking ("the forest") with detailed execution ("the trees").

Through real-world insights and guided reflection, participants will learn how to apply structured thinking to assess their strengths, identify development opportunities, and navigate complex project environments with greater clarity and confidence. The session will include a live walkthrough illustrating how questions can generate actionable insights that can be immediately applied in day-to-day work.

Learning Objectives:

In this session you will:
  • Understand key challenges Business Analysts face in complex environments
  • Learn how to apply Ambidextrous Thinking™ in practical BA scenarios
  • Explore how structured reflection can support continuous professional clarity and growth
  • Discover a practical framework to improve decision-making, stakeholder navigation, and delivery effectiveness

About our speakers:

Engr. Mark Burnett

Complex Project Specialist | Strategic Execution Leader

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrkburnett/

Featured by The University of the West Indies: https://www.uwiglobalalumnihub.com/mark-burnett-launches-book-the-ambidextrous-project-manager

Amazon USA: https://www.amazon.com/Ambidextrous-Project-Manager-Premium/dp/B0DJ2DPY9D

Mark Burnett is a Strategic Transformation Consultant, Electronics Engineer (PEngPE), and International Speaker who helps business leaders, project professionals, and engineering and technology teams build capacity and develop capability to deliver when complexity, change, and uncertainty collide.

His journey is defined by resilience — having defied a medical recommendation for arm amputation following a life-threatening accident, an experience that now shapes his approach to leadership, adaptability, and overcoming complexity.

As the author of The Ambidextrous Project Manager (TAPM™), Mark champions Ambidextrous Thinking™ — a practical approach that enables people to balance strategy and execution, structure and adaptability, and clarity within complexity.

He is an authorised trainer in Scrum, Kanban, Business Analysis, and OKRs, and his work spans business & digital transformation, PMO development, and adaptive leadership coaching across industries, including Telecommunications, IT & ICT, FinTech & Healthcare, Renewable Energy, Construction and Engineering.

Mark is also a mentor, co-partner of the Global African Business Analysis Conference (GABAC), co-creator of the Digital Transformation Series at The PMO Leader (TPL), and an active community contributor, with a strong focus on empowering people.

André Castro

Project Management & Digital Transformation Specialist | TAPM™ Chief Growth Officer – Brazil

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrecastrobr/

André Castro is a telecommunication engineer, project management and digital transformation professional based in Brazil, partnering with The Ambidextrous Project Manager (TAPM™) on global initiatives focused on capability building, mentorship, and practical frameworks for navigating complexity.

He plays a key role in co-authoring the development and validation of scalable models, such as the Fast Track initiative, helping bridge best practices with the human connection and digital innovation. André is a lifelong learner passionate about empowering people to gain clarity in complex environments through structured thinking, collaboration, strategy development, and continuous learning. He is guided by the belief: "If you don't learn from time to time, then you're not going to be better for the next event."

Join us for this interactive session and discover how to strengthen your ability to think, analyse, and deliver with clarity in complex environments.

Event details: 

Event Agenda: Times are in Eastern Time

  • 11:30 a.m. - 11:35 a.m.   Welcome & Introductions
  • 11:35 a.m. - 12:25 p.m.   Presentation and Q&A
  • 12:25 p.m. - 12:30 p.m.   Wrap Up

Who should attend: Open to all

Times:

  • 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time UTC-4 (DC Metro/Palmetto/Ottawa-Outaouais Chapter)
  • 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Atlantic Time UTC-3 (Nova Scotia Chapter)

Where: Virtually on Zoom (Zoom link provided once registration is complete)

Cost: FREE

Continuing Development Units (CDUs) / Professional Development (PD) Hours: 1 CDU for IIBA recertification or 1 PD hour for the IIBA ECBA exam application.

How to Cancel Your Registration:

Return to your Zoom confirmation or reminder email and select the link to edit or cancel your registration.

About the Virtual Lunch & Learn:

The Lunch & Learn series is a multi-chapter virtual event co-hosted with the IIBA DC Metro, Nova Scotia, Ottawa-Outaouais, and Palmetto chapters. The Technique Boutique series gives an opportunity to do a deep dive into one of the many techniques a business analyst may use. The Tools & Technology series started in 2024-25 focuses on a variety of software applications to support office productivity, business analysis, and communications, a business analysis core competency.
 
Take a break from your workday to enhance your business analysis skillset and share your knowledge with your fellow BAs.
 
Organizers

V

VP Professional Development
professionaldevelopment@ottawa-outaouais.iiba.org