IN THIS ISSUE! Guide to CBAP Certification
Feature
Article
CBAP Certification:
From What is It? to I Did It!
Elizabeth Larson, CBAP, PMP and Richard Larson, CBAP,
PMP
Principals, Watermark Learning, Inc.
The role of the Business Analyst (BA) has become a vital component of a successful project. As the BA field continues to accelerate at a rapid pace, it has experienced some “growing pains.” Among the challenges are a lack of standardization, inconsistent terminology across organizations, and difficulty in assessing knowledge and skills of BAs.
This article summarizes the CBAP™ program and why Business Analysts should become certified. We cover the steps to certification plus offer several tips to help you study for and pass the CBAP exam.
Project
Management Tip ----------------------------------
Keeping Project Vision Under Foot
We all know whose responsibility it is to define the project vision (i.e., the sponsor). But, how do we make sure we don't lose sight of that vision? A Watermark student recently shared something that he has done on projects to make sure it doesn't get lost in the changes and evolutions that projects go through: Include the project vision in the footer of your project documentation. This is a simple way to make sure stakeholders keep that vision in the forefront, as they read, and, perhaps suggest changes to the project. We couldn't agree more!
Business
Analysis Tip ----------------------------------------
Learn to Write Expert Use Cases
Struggling with writing Use Cases? While different organizations may have different Use Case requirements, there are some essential elements inherent to all well-written Use Cases:
- Use process-oriented and descriptive names, using a strong Verb-Noun combination. Example: Search Properties.
- Assign a unique identifier to each Use Case. They will be easier to track and manage. Reference the IDs in the corresponding Use Case diagram.
- Write short descriptions for each Use Case narrative. This gives readers a quick introduction without having to read the whole document.
- Always document Use Case pre- and post-conditions. Pre-conditions are states or what is true in order for a use case to begin. Post-conditions are the state or things that will be true when a Use Case ends.
- Document the primary path first, followed by all alternate paths, then exception paths. Consider using a scenario map that shows the primary, alternate, and exception scenarios in table form.
- For complex logic and decision-making, consider diagramming with an activity diagram to supplement the narrative.
Want some more great Business Analysis information and resources? Click here.
Industry
News ---------------------------------------------
Watermark Learning: Platinum Sponsor of Upcoming BAW
Symposium Series
Attention friends of Watermark Learning! Save up to $75 when you register for this event. Visit our website for details!
Mark your calendars, June 16 & 17 for the BusinessAnalystWorld Symposium Series at the Doubletree Hotel - Park Place, Minneapolis.
Watermark Learning is pleased to be a Platinum Sponsor of the event. Be sure to join Watermark Learning's CEO Elizabeth Larson, CBAP, PMP, who will present: I Don't Have Time to Manage Requirements—My Project is Late Already!, Monday, June 16th from 9:45-11 am.
Register for valuable prizes when you stop by our booth. And, check out our latest course offerings, including a CBAP Preparation Study Guide. See you there!
PMI's PMP® Credential Program Earns ISO Accreditation
The Project Management Institute (PMI) recently announced that it has earned the prestigious ISO/IEC 17024 accreditation for its Project Management Professional (PMP®) credential program from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). PMI is the first professional project management association in the world to achieve this accreditation for its system for certifying personnel. The accreditation includes rigorous requirements for examination development and maintenance, and for quality management systems for continuing quality assurance. Organizations that employ PMI certified PMP credential holders can reference the ISO 17024 certification as a qualifier for competence and capability in project management.
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 ProjectBrief.
PARTNERSHIPS
Business
Process Modeling
May
27-28 (Minneapolis, MN)
June
24-25 (Phoenix, AZ)
Consulting Skills to Solve Business Problems
June
11-12 (Minneapolis, MN)
Eliciting Business Requirements
June
9-10 (Minneapolis, MN)
Facilitation Skills Workshop
June 11-12 (Phoenix, AZ)
Microsoft® Project
for Project Managers
June 24-25 (St. Paul, MN)
PMP Certification Preparation
July 15-17 (Minneapolis, MN)
PRINCE2™ Foundation
and Practitioner
June
16-20 (Chicago, IL)
July
21-25 (Minneapolis, MN)
Project Management Fundamentals
May
19-21 (Minneapolis, MN)
June 16-18 (Minneapolis, MN)
Software Testing for Business Analysts
Schedule
a private class at your facility
Use Case Modeling
May
19-21 (Minneapolis, MN)
PMI
Global Congress EMEA 2008
May 19-21, 2008 - St. Julians, Malta
Elizabeth Larson, PMP, CBAP, Co-Principal of Watermark Learning
will present the session:
"I Don't Have Time to Manage Requirements - I Have to Get the
Project Done on Time!" Still time to register
BusinessAnalystWorld
Symposium Series
June 16-17, 2008 - Minneapolis, MN
Gain mission-critical education, tools, techniques and best
practices to support your analysis projects and team. Watermark is
a Platinum Sponsor of this event and will be speaking at and leading
a panel discussion. register today.
IIBA
New Jersey Chapter Meeting
June 19, 2008 - Iselin, NJ
"The class was fantastic! I learned a great deal and believe most of the material is very applicable to upcoming projects. Thank you for providing us with an engaging, fun and enjoyable class!"
—Fortune 100 Reseller