PRESENTATION DESCRIPTION:
Many organizations embed Business Analysts within functional areas to strengthen stakeholder relationships, improve solution delivery, and support major transformation initiatives. While this approach creates opportunities for deeper business knowledge and greater influence, it also presents challenges that can impact objectivity and enterprise alignment.
Drawing on experience supporting enterprise technology transformations, including planning the transition from on-premise systems to a SaaS ERP environment, Franklin Czwazka will explore the advantages, challenges, and hidden tradeoffs of being an embedded Business Analyst. Attendees will learn how close business partnerships can improve requirements discovery, process re-engineering, gap analysis, and stakeholder engagement, while also examining common pitfalls such as losing the enterprise perspective or becoming overly aligned with specific stakeholder groups.
This session will offer practical strategies for maintaining objectivity, building trusted advisor status, and delivering value across the organization. Attendees will leave with actionable lessons they can apply immediately to strengthen their effectiveness and advance their careers.
Drawing on experience supporting enterprise technology transformations, including planning the transition from on-premise systems to a SaaS ERP environment, Franklin Czwazka will explore the advantages, challenges, and hidden tradeoffs of being an embedded Business Analyst. Attendees will learn how close business partnerships can improve requirements discovery, process re-engineering, gap analysis, and stakeholder engagement, while also examining common pitfalls such as losing the enterprise perspective or becoming overly aligned with specific stakeholder groups.
This session will offer practical strategies for maintaining objectivity, building trusted advisor status, and delivering value across the organization. Attendees will leave with actionable lessons they can apply immediately to strengthen their effectiveness and advance their careers.
Date: Wednesday, September 16, 2026
Networking: 6:00 PM EDT
Presentation: 6:30 PM EDT
Education Hours: 1.0 CDUs for IIBA Recertification
Location: Online via Zoom
Price: F R E E
Location: Online via Zoom
Price: F R E E
SPEAKER:
Franklin J. Czwazka, M.P.A., M.A., CCBA, ITIL
Instructor of Information Management
School of Business | College of Charleston
Instructor of Information Management
School of Business | College of Charleston
Franklin Czwazka has spent more than 18 years helping organizations bridge the gap between business needs and technology solutions. Currently an Instructor of Information Management and former Interim Director of the Portfolio Management Office at the College of Charleston, he has led enterprise application implementations, business process improvement initiatives, governance programs, and digital transformation efforts across higher education.
As a Business Analyst, Franklin has partnered closely with stakeholders to evaluate, implement, and optimize technology solutions while improving processes, data governance, reporting, and organizational effectiveness. His experience provides a unique perspective on the benefits and tradeoffs of serving as an embedded business analyst within the operational areas he supported.
When not working or teaching, Franklin loves cooking and spending quality time with his wife and two children. He is also an avid reader and a devoted Star Wars fan with dogs named Leia and Obi and a cat named Artoo.
As a Business Analyst, Franklin has partnered closely with stakeholders to evaluate, implement, and optimize technology solutions while improving processes, data governance, reporting, and organizational effectiveness. His experience provides a unique perspective on the benefits and tradeoffs of serving as an embedded business analyst within the operational areas he supported.
When not working or teaching, Franklin loves cooking and spending quality time with his wife and two children. He is also an avid reader and a devoted Star Wars fan with dogs named Leia and Obi and a cat named Artoo.