Date: Wednesday, Sept 9th, 2026
Time: 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM (Irish Time)
Where: Zoom
Speaker: Maria Montgomery
IIBA Ireland Chapter's monthly series continues with Maria Montgomery, who'll share what it's like working as a BA from strategy to delivery.
Session Overview
A practical view of how Business Analysts create value across the entire project lifecycle, including strategy, discovery, stakeholder engagement, requirements analysis, delivery, and benefits realisation. The session challenges traditional BA thinking and introduces a more complete, outcome-focused approach to business analysis. Attendees will explore the full BA lifecycle from discovery and problem framing, through stakeholder and value chain thinking, to governance and benefits realisation.
What You’ll Learn
- Full BA lifecycle in practice - how Business Analysts add value from strategy and discovery through delivery and benefits realisation, not just requirements gathering.
- Stakeholder and value chain thinking - approaches to problem framing, stakeholder engagement, and connecting BA work to business outcomes.
- A more strategic, outcome-focused BA mindset - a shift from traditional, requirements-only thinking toward governance and measurable benefits realisation.
Don’t miss this opportunity to step into the world of business analysis and connect with peers in the broader BA community. See you there! 🌟
Who is Maria?
Maria is a is a recognised coach, mentor, speaker, and trainer, and the Chair of IIBA Melbourne. She is known for helping individuals and teams elevate performance, lead with confidence, and deliver meaningful business outcomes.As the author of The Art of Getting Business Analysis Right, Maria has led complex business transformations and designed tailored mentorship programs since 2014, empowering professionals to thrive in evolving environments.
With certifications in Agile Analysis (IIBA), professional coaching, NLP, and CBT, she combines analytical expertise with a holistic, human-centred approach. Her thought leadership, featured on Medium, challenges professionals to pursue excellence in both career and personal growth.
Maria’s journey began at age 15, when she migrated from Serbia and adapted to a new language and culture. That early experience of resilience and reinvention continues to shape her commitment to helping others navigate change and unlock their potential.
Beyond her professional work, Maria balances motherhood with running her own business, leading large-scale transformations, and serving the volunteer community at the IIBA Melbourne Branch.