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My name is Babafemi Ogungbamila. I blog here about tech and whatnot. The views and opinions expressed here are mine.

Seize opportunity through disruption mapping

01 Sep 2025 IIBA Conference 2025, Lagos, July 2025 @babafemio

IIBA Conference 2025, Lagos, July 2025 @babafemio

I had the pleasure and privilege of attending the IIBA Conference 2025, themed “From Insights to Trillions: The New Frontier of Business Analysis,” and it was an incredible experience. I went in expecting to participate in a panel discussion. I came away with a renewed sense of excitement about the evolving role of the Business Analyst, as well as a deeper appreciation for a powerful concept: Disruption Mapping.

Leading a breakout session was a surprise, but it proved to be remarkably rewarding. The conversations we had, the questions asked, and the shared insights were truly inspiring. It really crystallised for me the power of proactively seeking out opportunities, rather than just reacting to challenges.

What is disruption mapping, and why does it matter?

Disruption Mapping is not about predicting the future. It is about strategically analysing signals to uncover opportunities. It is a framework for identifying where change is brewing, and how Business Analysts can position themselves and their organisations to capitalise on it. It’s about moving beyond the traditional role of requirement gatherer and embracing the role of strategic advisor and innovation driver.

Consider that the industries we operate in are constantly evolving. Technological advancements, regulatory changes, and shifting consumer values are reshaping the business landscape at an unprecedented pace. To thrive, we must be more than just observers; we must be active participants in shaping our future.

Signals to watch: A framework for opportunity identification

So, how do we actively seek out these opportunities? By paying close attention to what I’m calling the ‘Signals,’ the subtle (and sometimes not-so-subtle) indicators that point to impending change. To capitalise on disruption opportunities, we must closely monitor signals that find expression in our values, problems, and trends. If we can analyse these signals, we might find opportunities to disrupt existing industries or even ourselves.

These signals fall into a few key categories:

So, let’s examine some specific examples to illustrate how these signals translate into actionable opportunities:

1. Regulation: AI-driven compliance monitoring

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) recently mandated that financial institutions deploy AI-powered compliance tools. Compliance isn’t just a regulatory checkbox; it’s a direct response to the growing risk that Nigerian financial institutions will fall behind their global counterparts in the fight against financial and economic crime, including fraud and money laundering. The CBN recognised that without embracing AI, these institutions would be increasingly vulnerable to sophisticated attacks and risk significant financial and reputational damage.

Regulation: These are the rules of the game. New legislation, updates to existing frameworks, and regulatory scrutiny can create immediate opportunities for innovation.

The truth is, fraud and money laundering schemes are becoming increasingly complex, driven by advancements in artificial intelligence. Globally, financial institutions are leveraging AI to stay ahead of these threats, and the CBN mandate aims to level the playing field, ensuring that Nigerian institutions can effectively compete and protect their assets. This new requirement presents a significant opportunity for solution providers. Companies that can develop and implement these tools, whether it’s for fraud detection, anti-money laundering, or risk assessment, are poised to capture a significant market share. It’s a clear example of a problem-driven regulation creating opportunity.

Consider the agricultural sector in Nigeria. A Nairametrics report highlighted a staggering N3.5 trillion loss annually due to post-harvest losses. This number isn’t just a statistic; it’s a signal begging for a solution! Imagine a network of IoT-enabled cold chain facilities powered by solar energy, utilising AI to optimise power consumption, temperature regulation, and minimise spoilage. An innovative solution like this exemplifies the power of combining technology trends to address a significant problem.

Technology trends: The rapid advancement of technologies like IoT, AI, and cloud computing is creating entirely new possibilities.

I was recently on a road trip and saw an advertisement for a solar power home solution. The key message was simple: “Deploy solar, save on your power bills.” It struck me then, as I’m someone who has been using solar energy in my own home for nearly a decade. When I first installed it, I wasn’t thinking about saving money; my primary motivation was to guarantee a stable power supply. We sometimes miss the bigger picture, even when we’re directly experiencing potential for disruption. And that leads to my main point: many Nigerians have already adopted solar power, but there’s a huge opportunity to optimise energy harvesting, reduce grid dependency and save cost through AI-powered automation. Small, smart adjustments can lead to significant savings for individuals and businesses alike. For more on Artificial Intelligence, see my previous post on what it takes to be an AI-first leader

3. Lifestyle and values: The evolving landscape of consumer expectations

As consumers, our values continue to evolve, driven by the constant exposure to pop culture and emerging technologies. It’s remarkable how quickly our expectations shift and how readily we adapt to new ways of interacting with the world. Decades ago in Nigeria, the only way to transfer funds was to walk into a bank branch. Today, we make those transfers simply by tapping a button on our smartphones, and the thought of doing it any other way seems almost unthinkable.

Lifestyle and values: Evolving consumer preferences, ethical concerns, and a growing emphasis on sustainability are influencing purchasing decisions and shaping the products and services we offer.

Just a little over two years ago, in November 2022, OpenAI launched ChatGPT, and many of us have grown accustomed to quickly firing up a browser tab to ask it to draft a quick email. Very soon, we won’t be able to imagine sending emails without a digital assistant looking over our shoulders, ensuring everything is polished and professional. In the same vein, future products may have interfaces similar to those provided by ChatGPT, as we increasingly demand a level of convenience and seamlessness that we’ve come to expect. We’re prioritising convenience, the effortless integration of these products into our daily lives. Businesses that can demonstrate a commitment to simplifying the user experience and meet consumers where they are, how they want, are likely to disrupt others.

4. Catastrophe risks: The pandemic’s lasting impact

The COVID-19 pandemic was a problem that fundamentally altered consumer behaviour. The surge in digital payments and the increased reliance on online shopping were not just temporary reactions; they were signals pointing toward a more digitised future. Businesses that embraced these changes and adapted their strategies are reaping the rewards. The shift in buying habits, combined with the desire for safety, has contributed to a surge in demand for digital solutions, a clear sign of disruption in action.

The evolving business analyst: From data to insights

As Business Analysts, we have a crucial role to play in this new frontier. They are not just gatherers of requirements; They are strategists, innovators, and change agents. By mastering the art of Disruption Mapping, we can empower our organisations to anticipate change, seize opportunities, and thrive in an increasingly complex world.

Traditionally, the Business Analyst’s role has often involved data collection and analysis, which is a crucial yet sometimes time-consuming aspect of the job. While the landscape is shifting dramatically with the rise of AI-powered tools, our core responsibility hasn’t changed. Our focus needs to evolve from merely gathering and crunching data to generating insights, transforming raw data into actionable information that drives disruption and innovation. The key difference isn’t in whether we analyse data, but how we leverage these new technologies to do so more effectively.

To capitalise on disruption opportunities, we must closely monitor signals that find expression in our values, problems, and trends.

I can attest to this first-hand. Recently, I needed to analyse exit interview data within my group. We conduct these interviews when people leave to understand their experiences and identify areas for improvement. I had an Excel document containing a list of staff members who had resigned within the last 12 months, along with their corresponding comments. The list was too long for comfort, but that’s a story for another time. Initially, I went through the list line by line, reviewing comments, categorising reasons, and noting affected teams in my notebook. This foundational work of understanding the data’s context and potential biases is still essential, even with AI assistance.

Then, I thought, “Let’s see what Copilot can do.” I uploaded the Excel document into Microsoft Copilot, provided it with context and specific analytical dimensions, and asked it to identify key themes and patterns. The results were impressive in terms of surfacing potential insights and generating visually engaging charts. It’s demonstrating that everyone can contribute to data insights, while the BA’s role is still to interpret those insights and translate them into actionable solutions.

This shift fundamentally alters how we execute our roles. Business Analysts are no longer just requirement gatherers or data crunchers. They are strategists, innovators, and guides, helping organisations leverage these powerful tools to uncover hidden opportunities, disrupt the market, and drive meaningful change.

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