IN THIS ISSUE! Project Management and Business Analysis Tips!
Feature
Article
10 Steps to Creating a Project Plan
Elizabeth Larson, PMP, CBAP and Richard Larson, PMP,
CBAP
Principals, Watermark Learning, Inc.
One of the critical factors for project success is having a well-developed project plan. This article provides a 10-step approach to creating the project plan, provides a roadmap for project managers to follow and explores why it should be the project manager's primary communications and control tool throughout the project.
Project
Management Tip ----------------------------------
Does Your Project Plan Have the "Right Stuff?"
It's easy to take a project plan for granted. After all, we often use a past project as a template to jump-start our next plan. Or, our organization has a standard that we must follow. But, do they have the "right stuff?" Here is a checklist of essential items to include for any project plan, regardless of size. Each element in this list uniquely contributes to the plan, and increases the likelihood your project will succeed:
- Scope statement
- Scope baseline
- Project roles and responsibilities
- Staffing plan
- Schedule and cost baselines
- Baseline management plans
- Project quality and risks
- Communication plan
Business
Analysis Tip ----------------------------------------
Tips to Prepare for the CBAP™
Certification Exam
If you are studying for the CBAP™ Certification exam (or the PMP® for that matter), here are some tips that will help you prepare for and successfully take the exam:
Pre-exam...
- Prepare well in advance by reading the BABOK™ (or PMBOK®)
- Take a class
- Join a study group
- If time allows, re-read portions of the BABOK™ (or PMBOK®)
- Get plenty of rest the night before: don't cram for the exam
During the exam...
- Don't dwell on questions that seem difficult or complicated
- Complete the questions that are easy to answer first, then go back and answer harder ones
- Don't second-guess your answers
- Narrow down your choices to two viable answers and then choose from there
- If you don't know an answer to a question, it's better to guess than to leave it blank
These and many more tips for passing the CBAP™ exam are in Watermark Learning's "CBAP™ Certification Preparation Guide," which goes on sales May 1, 2008. Contact us for more information.
Industry
News -----------------------------------------------
PMI® PMBOK® Guide - Fourth EditionAvailable December 2008
The PMI® PMBOK® Guide - Fourth Edition will be published at the end of 2008. Some of the major enhancements for the Fourth Edition are:
- Process names are in verb-noun format
- Data flow diagrams have been developed for each process
- Includes a standard approach for discussion of Enterprise Environmental Factors and Organizational Process Assets
IIBA™ BABOK® Version 2
Exposure Draft Available for Public Review
A public review of the IIBA™ BABOK® draft, version 2 is now available for download. It is being made available to the business analysis community to gather feedback on its content and quality so that the IIBA™ may assess the draft and make decisions about further changes that should be included in the final release of version 2. The public review will be held until May 15, 2008. Final release of version 2 is targeted for the third quarter of 2008.
Is there a Project Management or Business Analysis topic you'd like to learn more about? Please let us know! Drop us an email with a list of topics, and we'll consider it for an upcoming issue of The ProjectPro.
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Elizabeth Larson, PMP, CBAP, Co-Principal of Watermark Learning
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"Very good! Didn't use a lot of jargon. Taught in plain English which means the attendees will be able to apply what they learned anywhere. Great exercises and samples. The atmosphere set up from day one encouraged participation and thinking. Bravo!"
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