Risks and Issues: Focusing Stakeholder Interest

by Andrea Brockmeier, PMP

It's safe to say that good project management is characterized by “proactivity”—intervening in or influencing a response to something before it happens. But how proactive are you? This article takes a look at risk assessment, specifically negative risk events or threats as it relates to stakeholder interest.

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Earn 1 PDU/CDU when you attend our webinars!

Writing User Stories: An Agile Requirements
Development Process
Friday, February 27, 2009 — 1-2 pm (CST)
Presented by: Marsha Hughes, PMP, CSM
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Due to popular demand, we are hosting a second webinar on Writing User Stories.

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. Don't miss this important topic!

Requirements Management Webinar
Friday, March 20, 2009 — 1-2 pm (CST)
Presented by: Elizabeth Larson, PMP, CBAP
Register Now!

For those of us who have been given imposed deadlines that often seem arbitrary, planning requirements is the last thing we want to do. Yet without complete requirements, projects often fail. This webinar addresses this dilemma and discusses how requirements planning tools and techniques help ensure success.

To Meet or Not to Meet: That is the Question

by Susan K. Heidorn, CBAP, PMP

Meetings—for many of us, they're a huge part of our work day. But, before you schedule that next meeting, consider whether you really need to meet. Ask yourself:

— Do you need an interactive session to:

• Get input or advice from the group
• Get group buy in
• Build team identity
• Create participant commitment
• Address team conflict
• Clarify common understanding on an issue or problem

— Can you get the right people in the room?

— Are you prepared with an agenda (purpose, topics, time
frames, etc.)?

Microsoft Project FAQs

by Jim Clayton, Microsoft Certification for Office Suite and MS Project

Q: Is there a way I can compare versions of the same project without printing and visually inspecting them?
A: Insert the “Compare Project Versions” toolbar. Click on the left-most command button of the newly inserted toolbar and following the instructions on the opened dialogue box.

Q: Is there a way to convert entered durations into a common value, e.g. hours, days, weeks, etc.?
A: Run an existing macro. Using the Menu Bar, to navigate to “Tools | Macro | Macros” and select your preferred value in the prompt.

Interest in our new CBAP® Certification Study Guide has been fantastic! We apologize if you tried to order our book but were notified that it was out of stock.

The good news is that Amazon has stocked more books! Please visit Amazon for ordering information.

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Agile Requirements with User Stories
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Mar 16-17 (Minneapolis, MN)

Microsoft® Project for Project Managers
Mar 2-3 (Minneapolis, MN)

Planning and Managing Requirements
Mar 26-27 (Minneapolis, MN)

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Minnesota Ranks #2 for Most CBAP^®s in North America
According to the IIBA, Minnesota is ranked #2 (44 CBAPs) in the total number of registered CBAPs in North America (Ontario, Canada is #1). Besides dedication and smarts, is there something in the Minnesota water that helps make a CBAP®? Maybe it's the frigid winter that contributes to the growing number of CBAPs. We'd like to think that our CBAP® Prep training and CBAP® Certification Study Guide are at least partly responsible.

Watermark Learning is proud of how many Minnesotans have become CBAPs. And, no matter where in the world you live, we encourage you to pursue your CBAP® certification. To get started, visit our CBAP Certification page.

Currently, the total number of CBAPs now total 492 worldwide: 309 from the United States, 129 from Canada, and 54 from outside North America.

Online CBAP® Application Pilot and Launch—Revised Dates
As previously communicated, IIBA™ will be conducting a pilot of the new online CBAP® application process. However, due to some system difficulties, the pilot date was moved to February 2, 2009.

As a result of the pilot date being changed, the official launch of the online application process for CBAP® applicants has also been moved. The new estimated date is March 2009, after IIBA™ has processed the pilot feedback. Stay tuned for more updates.

In the meantime, use the current paper-based application process — find the forms on the IIBA website (Story originated with IIBA™).

“I found the employment market extremely difficult and competitive, and Watermark has made all the difference. After taking three classes, I found a great company and got hired as a new BA. I am definitely going to complete my Master's Certificate program, and feel very confident as a business analyst because of the training.”

David Mangold
Invaluable Technologies, Ltd.

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