The Waterfall Process is Still Viable

The Waterfall Process: Is it Still Viable?

Proponents of the waterfall approach to software development often act like they believe the process was handed down (along with the 10 commandments) as “the right way” to develop software. Having a historical perspective on the process might be useful in debunking this myth. Back in 1970 – that’s right, almost 50 years ago – …

Marsha Hughes, CSM, CBAP, PMP

Marsha is a senior instructor and consultant for Watermark Learning, and has more than thirty years of experience in the software, technology, telecommunications, and Internet business sectors. She has numerous accomplishments in Agile methods, project management, business analysis, software development, methodology development, process improvement, and courseware development and training. She is a Certified Scrum Master and Professional, a Certified BA Professional, and a Certified PM Professional. She is also a contributor to the IIBA’s Agile Extension to the BABOK, and the agile perspective in version 3.0 of the BABOK.

Five Trends in Business Analysis for 2017

Five Trends in Business Analysis, Project Management, and Agile for 2017

Since 2009, we have enjoyed reflecting on what’s happened the previous year on projects and making predictions for the upcoming year. To summarize the “trends” we saw in 2016: Emergence of the Business Relationship Manager (BRM) to maximize value Agile successes, challenges, and use beyond software Trends in business analysis and project management certifications Implications …

Elizabeth Larson, PMP, CBAP, PMI-PBA, CSM

Elizabeth Larson, PMP, CBAP, CSM is a consultant and advisor for Watermark Learning/PMA. She has over 35 years of experience in project management and business analysis. Elizabeth has co-authored four books and chapters published in five additional books, as well as articles that appear regularly in BA Times, Project Times, and Modern Analyst. Elizabeth was a lead author/expert reviewer on all editions of the BABOK® Guide, as well as the several of the PMI standards. Elizabeth also enjoys giving presentations, and her speaking history includes repeat keynotes and presentations for national and international conferences on five continents. Elizabeth enjoys traveling, hiking, reading, theater, and spending time with her 7 grandkids.

entrepreneurs vs project managers

Entrepreneur vs Project Manager: The Team

Watermark Learning is happy to feature our affiliate James Bowen, PMP, who explores the concept of team in entrepreneurship and project management. Learn how the team focuses and skills in each environment compare.   This article explores the concept of team in entrepreneurship and project management. In project management, the team focus is around best use …

Watermark Learning

This is the corporate source for Watermark Learning posts. Watermark delivers engaging and practical training and coaching in Business Analysis, Project Management, Agile & Scrum, Business Process Management, and Influencing Skills since 1992.

The Talent Triangle a Great Benefit for Project Managers

The Talent Triangle – A Great Benefit for Project Managers

It’s hard to believe that we are coming up on a year since PMI® instituted the Talent Triangle and revised the categories for claiming Professional Development Units (PDUs). You may remember that a key change was that PDUs had to be earned in three categories: Technical Project Management, Leadership, and Strategic and Business Management. Previously, …

Andrea Brockmeier, PMP, CSM, PMI-ACP, PMI-PBA, BRMP

Andrea Brockmeier, PMP, CSM, PMI-PBA, BRMP is the Director of Project Management for Watermark Learning. Andrea is an experienced trainer, facilitator, speaker, and project manager, with over 25 years of business experience. Andrea oversees certification and skills development curriculum in project management, business analysis, and leadership. She has been a speaker at IIBA® and PMI® conferences and is an active volunteer. She enjoys practicing what she teaches and has a steady stream of projects that she manages. Andrea is highly committed to partnering with her clients through projects, consulting, and training, and seeks to make every engagement enjoyable as well as valuable.

BBC 2016 Recap

BBC 2016 Recap

Watermark Learning had a great time at BBC 2016, and we hope you did, too! Thank you to everyone who stopped by our booth and chatted with us. Check out our Facebook photo album from the event. Presentation Recap Richard Larson, CBAP, PMP, PMI-PBA, had a full house for his presentation “Bulletproof Business Cases: 5 …

Watermark Learning

This is the corporate source for Watermark Learning posts. Watermark delivers engaging and practical training and coaching in Business Analysis, Project Management, Agile & Scrum, Business Process Management, and Influencing Skills since 1992.

Business Process Agility Part 1

Business Process Agility, Part 1: Process

Watermark Learning is happy to feature our affiliate Brian Hunt, CBAP, who illustrates how and why organizations need to be agile in today’s fast-changing world to ensure business processes are connected as part of an organizational system. The Bengal cat is a lean, athletic animal that moves fast to kill prey, play or escape danger. Alert …

Watermark Learning

This is the corporate source for Watermark Learning posts. Watermark delivers engaging and practical training and coaching in Business Analysis, Project Management, Agile & Scrum, Business Process Management, and Influencing Skills since 1992.

New Online Study Exam Features and Updates

New Online Study Exam Features and Updates

Over the years, Watermark Learning has constantly worked to improve our products based on feedback from our students and customers. Recently, we have added several new features to our Online Study Exams that were a direct result of your feedback. The biggest new feature is the ability to review any previous exam taken in a subscription. Previously, …

Watermark Learning

This is the corporate source for Watermark Learning posts. Watermark delivers engaging and practical training and coaching in Business Analysis, Project Management, Agile & Scrum, Business Process Management, and Influencing Skills since 1992.

To Understand Business Processes

To Understand Business Processes, Just Use Your Loaf

Watermark Learning is happy to feature our affiliate Brian Hunt, CBAP, who illustrates how a bread making machine can be used to understand any business process. Many recruiters call for specific domain experience when they want help in process redesign. But, whether your product is life insurance, cakes or motorbikes, the principles of business process are …

Watermark Learning

This is the corporate source for Watermark Learning posts. Watermark delivers engaging and practical training and coaching in Business Analysis, Project Management, Agile & Scrum, Business Process Management, and Influencing Skills since 1992.

5 Daily Tips for Successful Projects

5 Daily Tips for Successful Projects

An ad at the end of one of my workout videos caught my attention. A kitchen timer is ticking away. A voice says “It’s about time. Time. Time.” A trainer appears and says, “The number one reason people don’t work out is time.” A woman appears and says, “I can’t work out for an hour. …

Elizabeth Larson, PMP, CBAP, PMI-PBA, CSM

Elizabeth Larson, PMP, CBAP, CSM is a consultant and advisor for Watermark Learning/PMA. She has over 35 years of experience in project management and business analysis. Elizabeth has co-authored four books and chapters published in five additional books, as well as articles that appear regularly in BA Times, Project Times, and Modern Analyst. Elizabeth was a lead author/expert reviewer on all editions of the BABOK® Guide, as well as the several of the PMI standards. Elizabeth also enjoys giving presentations, and her speaking history includes repeat keynotes and presentations for national and international conferences on five continents. Elizabeth enjoys traveling, hiking, reading, theater, and spending time with her 7 grandkids.

CBAP and CCBA v3 Exam

CBAP and CCBA v3 Exam Update

IIBA has developed a new Business Analysis multi-level, competency-based certification framework that supports a BA’s career progression. Current CCBAs and CBAPs will map to levels 2 and 3, respectively, and will not be required to take the new exams. However, if an applicant has not taken the CCBA or CBAP exam prior to September 22, …

Richard Larson, PMP, CBAP, PMI-PBA

Richard Larson, PMP, CBAP, PMI-PBA, was the founder of and is now a consultant for Watermark Learning. He is a successful entrepreneur with over 35 years of experience in product development, business analysis, project management, training, and consulting. As an internal entrepreneur, Rich led the development of several Watermark Learning online products as a business analyst and product owner. Rich is a frequent speaker at Business Analysis and Project Management national conferences and IIBA® and PMI® chapters around the world. He has contributed as a lead author to the BA Body of Knowledge version 2.0 and 3.0 and was a lead author on PMI’s Business Analysis Practice Guide. He and his wife Elizabeth Larson have co-authored five books on business analysis.