April 2006 eNewsletter

Relationships and RACI forms help when Gathering Requirements on Multicultural Projects

Adapted from "Projects without Borders: Gathering Requirements on a Multicultural Project," advice from Elizabeth Larson, PMP, and Richard Larson, PMP, Watermark Learning, March 2006, ComputerWorld.

Gathering requirements on a multicultural project has numerous challenges. Some of these challenges result from physical distance, language and cultural differences, and unclear roles and responsibilities between each party--the project manager, business analyst, sponsor and the business customer. Although each party has its share of responsibility for making the project and end product successful, there are some things the project manager and business analyst can do to help bridge the cultural gap and lessen the effects of these cultural challenges.

1. Build relationships and Trust
With good relationships, issues surface more easily and can be resolved quicker. One-on-one meetings can also build relationships and help navigate the political and cultural landscape. They can also more easily promote understanding of team members from various cultural backgrounds, because language differences are less of a problem, and personal stories and experiences can be more easily shared.

2. Define roles and responsibilities using a
... matrix
To avoid unclear roles and responsibilities, use the responsibility assignment matrix or the RACI chart. These tools help minimize text so they are easier to understand, and in order to complete them valuable decisions need to be made earlier rather than later.

View the complete article.

Watermark Recruits Sales and Marketing Veteran as New COO

Watermark Learning welcomes Terri Swanson as its new Chief Operating Officer.
With 20 plus years of experience in training, publishing and high tech sales and marketing, Swanson's goals are to help Watermark Learning continue its efforts to expand into other markets
and to share the knowledge and expertise of its principals and instructors. "I am impressed with the quality and depth of the training that Watermark provides. Our genuine concern for helping clients solve their business needs, and our openness to customizing our training and mentoring services to match these needs, is something that everyone in business should know about." Swanson further explains that perhaps even more impressive is the depth of knowledge that Watermark has. "We need to find as many ways as possible to share what we know with other business professionals." Swanson plans to update the eNewsletter, Website and to help principals Elizabeth Larson, PMP, and Richard Larson, PMP, publish and promote their first book.

Delivering Project Excellence Conference Marks a"High Point In Quality" in Project Management Education

Watermark Principal Richard Larson, PMP, will once again present at the annual Delivering Project Excellence Conference to be held June 5-7 at the Scottsdale Resort & Conference Center in Scottsdale, AZ. Larson will present "Want to be a 'Star' in Requirements Planning? Time to Rev-up your Internal Consulting Skills." Watermark will also have a vendor booth at this exciting event. Make sure to stop by to learn more about our cadre of project management and business analysis courses and to sign up for our drawing!

DPE Offers Special Discount for Watermark
eNewsletter Subscribers
Save $100 off your conference registration or receive a $100 gift certificate for spa services at the Scottsdale Resort & Conference Center.
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Watermark to Present at PMI® Honolulu Chapter PDD'06

Watermark has been selected to present "Business Process Modeling" at the PMI Honolulu Chapter Professional Development Day on May 3. Register today!