Watermark Learning's ProjectBrief September 2008

by Elizabeth Larson, PMP, CBAP and Richard Larson, PMP, CBAP,
Co-Principals, Watermark Learning, Inc.

Requirements management is a vital aspect of project management. Without it, the overall project management plan is incomplete. This article discusses how to use requirements management to your advantage in controling project cost, scope creep and productivity issues.

UPCOMING WEBINARS

Keep in the know on topics important to your career. Attend these FREE Watermark Learning live events online—from your office computer, laptop or home.

Writing User Stories: An Agile Requirements Development Process
October 17, 2008 — 1-2 pm CDT
Register Now!

The technique of expressing requirements as user stories is one of the most broadly applicable techniques introduced by agile processes such as Scrum and XP. It is also an effective approach on all time-constrained projects, agile or not.

Use Case Tips and Tricks
November 18, 2008 — 1-2 pm CDT
Register Now!

This presentation provides a brief overview for those new to Use Cases, and from which even experienced people should learn something new. It spends most of the time covering a number of useful tips and tricks that will help enhance your Use Case knowledge and practice.

We all know how critical assumptions are when providing estimates for project work. When asking for estimates from subject matter experts on projects, project managers should consider including key assumptions pertinent to the activity being estimated in their request. It's difficult for the people doing the work to know all of the assumptions they are working with and how they may influence their estimates. A request for an estimate that identifies a PM's assumptions can help guide the estimator, who often feels like they are being asked to provide information in a vacuum. Also, keeping those assumptions in front of team members gives everyone the opportunity to correct or confirm them as the project progresses and more information becomes available.

Contrary to popular belief, consensus is not getting 100% of the people to agree about an issue, talking an issue to death, nor is it reaching a majority vote. As a matter of fact, consensus is not about voting at all. Rather, Consensus is a form of decision making whereby all participants are willing to support an idea or decision that was made.

It's here! Computer-based testing of the CBAP® exam launched on September 1, 2008 at dedicated test centers around the world. The current listing of CBT locations can be found on the IIBA website under Certification --> Process.

Interesting Stats

Is there a Project Management, Business Analysis, or Influencing Skills 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.

IN THIS ISSUE! Attend Topical Industry Webinars—FREE!

I Don't Have Time to Manage Requirements— My Project is Late Already! Part IV—Getting to the Right Amount of Requirements Management by Elizabeth Larson, PMP, CBAP and Richard Larson, PMP, CBAP, Co-Principals, Watermark Learning, Inc. Requirements management is a vital aspect of project management. Without it, the overall project management plan is incomplete. This article discusses how to use requirements management to your advantage in controling project cost, scope creep and productivity issues. Read this article UPCOMING WEBINARS Keep in the know on topics important to your career. Attend these FREE Watermark Learning live events online—from your office computer, laptop or home. Writing User Stories: An Agile Requirements Development Process October 17, 2008 — 1-2 pm CDT Register Now! The technique of expressing requirements as user stories is one of the most broadly applicable techniques introduced by agile processes such as Scrum and XP. It is also an effective approach on all time-constrained projects, agile or not. Use Case Tips and Tricks November 18, 2008 — 1-2 pm CDT Register Now! This presentation provides a brief overview for those new to Use Cases, and from which even experienced people should learn something new. It spends most of the time covering a number of useful tips and tricks that will help enhance your Use Case knowledge and practice. Project Management Tip Provide Key Assumptions to Ensure Project Success Andrea Brockmeier, PMP We all know how critical assumptions are when providing estimates for project work. When asking for estimates from subject matter experts on projects, project managers should consider including key assumptions pertinent to the activity being estimated in their request. It's difficult for the people doing the work to know all of the assumptions they are working with and how they may influence their estimates. A request for an estimate that identifies a PM's assumptions can help guide the estimator, who often feels like they are being asked to provide information in a vacuum. Also, keeping those assumptions in front of team members gives everyone the opportunity to correct or confirm them as the project progresses and more information becomes available. Business Analysis Tip Reaching Consensus Successfully Susan K. Heidorn, CBAP, PMP Contrary to popular belief, consensus is not getting 100% of the people to agree about an issue, talking an issue to death, nor is it reaching a majority vote. As a matter of fact, consensus is not about voting at all. Rather, Consensus is a form of decision making whereby all participants are willing to support an idea or decision that was made. Read this tip Industry News CBT for the CBAP^® Exam Now Available It's here! Computer-based testing of the CBAP® exam launched on September 1, 2008 at dedicated test centers around the world. The current listing of CBT locations can be found on the IIBA website under Certification --> Process. Interesting Stats as of September 30, 2008 PMI membership is 277,221—an overall increase of 12.8 percent for the year Total Project Management Professionals (PMP^®): 294,413 Total Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM^®) professionals: 5,708 Total Program Management Professionals (PgMP^®): 118 Worldwide, there are more than 253 PMI Chapters with total chapter membership nearing: 189,000 Is there a Project Management, Business Analysis, or Influencing Skills 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
		NEW! Business Analysis Fundamentals Dec. 16-18 (Minneapolis, MN) START YOUR BA TRAINING RIGHT! Business Process Modeling Nov. 10-11 (Chicago, IL) Nov. 17-18 (Minneapolis, MN) Nov. 19-20 (Phoenix, AZ) CBAP™ Certification Preparation Oct. 28-30 (Minneapolis, MN) EARLY BIRD SPECIAL PRICE! NEW! Developing Agile Requirements with User Stories Nov. 13-14 (Minneapolis, MN) Eliciting Business Requirements Nov. 3-4 (Minneapolis, MN) Facilitation Skills Workshop Nov. 5-6 (Minneapolis, MN) Intelligent Disobedience Nov. 5-6 (Minneapolis, MN) PMP® Certification Preparation Nov. 10-12 (Minneapolis, MN) Risk Management Oct. 15 (Minneapolis, MN) The Hard Truth About Soft Skills Oct. 21-23 (Minneapolis, MN)

		PMI® Global Congress North America 2008 October 18-21, 2008 — Denver, CO Learn by attending over 150 educational sessions, network, meet other project managers and more. While you're there, check out these interesting events: I Don't Have Time to Manage Requirements—My Project is Late Already! October 20, 2008 Presentation Exhibitor Showcase Visit Watermark Learning at Booth #937, October 19-2 Wisconsin BA Development Day October 21, 2008 Come visit Watermark Learning at our booth. We are also a proud Emerald Sponsor of this event. Project Summit & Business Analyst World: Boston 2008 October 27-29, 2008 —Boston, MA Watermark Learning is a proud sponsor of this event and will be presenting the following events: Use Case Tips and Tricks October 28, 2008 Presentation I Don't Have Time to Manage Requirements-My Project is Late Already! October 28, 2008 Presentation Use Case Essentials October 29, 2008 Workshop Business Process Modeling October 30, 2008 Workshop Exhibitor Showcase October 27, 2008 PMI Honolulu Professional Development Summit PDD November 6-8, 2008 — Honolulu, HI Richard and Elizabeth Larson of Watermark Learning will be presenting the following events: Consultative Questioning Skills Workshop November 6, 2008 Oh No, You Gave Me What I Asked For! November 6, 2008 Keynote Address: The Italian Job: a Well-Managed Heist November 7, 2008 Project Summit & Business Analyst World: Chicago 2008 November 10-13, 2008 — Chicago, IL Watermark Learning will present the following: Use Case Essentials November 12, 2008 Workshop Business Process Modeling November 13, 2008 Workshop Sponsor Showcase November 10, 2008

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