FEBRUARY 10, 2010

In This Issue…
· Projects Without Borders
· Top Fundamentals for Successful Virtual Meetings
· Using Data Nicknames
· Microsoft Project 2007—Standard vs. Professional
· Industry Events
· Upcoming Courses: Agile Fundamentals [Featured Course]

Projects Without Borders

Gathering Requirements on Multicultural Projects

by Elizabeth Larson, CBAP, PMP and Richard Larson, CBAP, PMP

One of the most difficult tasks project managers and business analysts face is obtaining customer requirements. Even when business customers and the business analyst work in the same building, misunderstandings are bound to arise. It's a challenge to ask the right questions, get the right people involved, and document unambiguous requirements, regardless of the backgrounds of those participating. This article discusses how to overcome the challenges of working with multi-cultural stakeholders to ensure a successful project.

Read this Article

ProjectBrief™ Blog

An online forum where business analysts and project managers can read, share, interact, and swap tips and ideas.

Jan. 29 Post:
Top Fundamentals for Successful Virtual Meetings
If you're a project manager or business analyst and have ever facilitated or participated in a virtual meeting, you know they can be highly productive. And, highly frustrating if not run well. Here is a list of 5 things we think all virtual meetings should have to be successful.

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Using Data Nicknames

by Marsha Hughes, PMP, CSM,
Watermark Learning

Are you writing use cases or requirements? In this tip, I provide some advice for how to use nicknames to improve the flow, readability, and maintenance of use cases.

Read this Tip

Microsoft Office Project 2007—
Standard vs. Professional

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

People frequently ask which version of Project 2007 to purchase. In this tip we'll examine the differences between Microsoft Office Project Standard and Microsoft Office Project Professional so you can decide which is best for you.

Read this Tip

Connect with Watermark Learning

Is there an industry topic you'd like to learn more about? Have an industry-related question that you would like answered? Please drop us an email and we'll consider it for a future issue of ProjectBrief™.

Agile Requirements with User Stories
February 11-12 (Baltimore, MD)

Business Analysis Fundamentals
February 22-24 (Minneapolis, MN)

Business Process Modeling
March 8-9 (Minneapolis, MN)

Eliciting Business Requirements: Whose Project is it Anyway?
March 1-2, 2010 (Minneapolis, MN)

Facilitation Skills Workshop
February 11-12 (Minneapolis, MN)

Influencing Without Authority
February 15-16 (Minneapolis, MN)

Microsoft® Project for
Project Managers
March 3-4 (Minneapolis, MN)

Planning and Managing Requirements
February 25-26 (Minneapolis, MN)

PMP® Certification Preparation
March 15-17 (Minneapolis, MN)

Project Estimating, Planning
and Control
March 22-23 (Minneapolis, MN)

Project Quality Management
March 26 (Minneapolis, MN)

Project Risk Management
March 24-25 (Minneapolis, MN)

Use Case Modeling
March 10-11 (Minneapolis, MN)

MORE PROJECT MANAGEMENT COURSES
MORE BUSINESS ANALYSIS COURSES
MORE INFLUENCING SKILLS COURSES

PMP Certification Preparation

“I highly recommend Watermark Learning classes for anyone who is looking to gain knowledge, advance their careers, and earning power. The professionalism, knowledge, superior training tools and genuine interest in students succeeds in setting Watermark Learning 'above the competition.' They use several approaches to learning, since everyone learns differently. Classes are set up for optimum interaction between the instructor and students to thoroughly understand methodology, concepts and tools. I have passed my PMP test and it has increased my earning power.”

—Robin Anderson, Watermark Learning Student

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