2018 Trend in Business Analysis, Project Management, and Agile
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2018 Trends In Business Analysis, Project Management, & Agile

Since 2009, we have enjoyed reflecting on what’s happened the previous year on projects and making predictions for the upcoming year. Here are some of the recent trends we have discussed: Agile successes, challenges, and use beyond software Organizations recognize the importance of roles that help maximize value Scaling Agile Certification trends in business analysis and …

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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.

Strategy Lessons from Yoda
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Strategy Lessons From Yoda – 5 Steps To Strategic Thinking

In honor of the new Star Wars movie coming out in December, we thought we would take you through a strategic thinking journey, using one of our favorite Star Wars character and greatest philosopher of all time – Yoda – as a guide. As many of you know, Yoda was a Jedi Master in Star …

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Susan Heidorn, Ed.D., PMP, CBAP, HSDP, CSM, BRMP

Dr. Susan Heidorn, PMP, CBAP, HSDP, CSM, BRMP is the Director of Business Solutions for Watermark Learning in Minneapolis. Susan is an experienced consultant, facilitator, speaker, and trainer, with over 25 years of business experience. Susan directs programs in business analysis, business relationship management, and leadership, including developing and delivering courses and providing consulting. She has been a speaker at a number of IIBA® and PMI® conferences as well as local and regional organizations, boards, and private clients. She is a lifelong learner whose passion it is to guide people into achieving excellence in their personal and professional lives and works on creating positive impacts to the organization.

The Ultimate Guide to CBAP Certification Part 1
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The Ultimate Guide to CBAP Certification FAQs, Part 1: General, Study Tips, & Prep Materials

Watermark Learning holds monthly IIBA Certification chat sessions, and we get great questions each time. I compiled many of the questions received over several months and answered them below. Most are about CBAP certification and we’ll publish a separate blog post on ECBA questions. This extensive guide will be organized into five sections. (Sections 1-3 …

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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.

You Gotta Have Heart
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You Gotta Have Heart! 4 Steps to Asking Great BA Questions

This past July, I (Susan) was hospitalized for a heart condition. Looking back at this event, I found that my business analysis skills were useful in understanding the overall situation. I was visiting my parents in my hometown of Perham, MN when I was admitted to the hospital with chest pains. After a few tests …

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Susan Heidorn, Ed.D., PMP, CBAP, HSDP, CSM, BRMP

Dr. Susan Heidorn, PMP, CBAP, HSDP, CSM, BRMP is the Director of Business Solutions for Watermark Learning in Minneapolis. Susan is an experienced consultant, facilitator, speaker, and trainer, with over 25 years of business experience. Susan directs programs in business analysis, business relationship management, and leadership, including developing and delivering courses and providing consulting. She has been a speaker at a number of IIBA® and PMI® conferences as well as local and regional organizations, boards, and private clients. She is a lifelong learner whose passion it is to guide people into achieving excellence in their personal and professional lives and works on creating positive impacts to the organization.

Trends in Learning Modes
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Trends in Learning Modes

Everyone knows that when given a choice, most people prefer face-to-face learning modes. And, of course, that goes double for learning complex things. Right? Well, not so fast. In a recent weekly poll on BA Times, results revealed that a staggering 67% prefer “Self-Learning” modes! That includes 42% of the respondents preferring “On Demand” and …

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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.

CSM vs PMI-ACP
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CSM vs PMI-ACP: Which Agile Certification is Right for You?

Those who go through the work to earn a professional certification enjoy a multitude of benefits. Earning a certification builds confidence, makes you more competitive in the job market, solidifies understanding of a discipline, and establishes credibility with your stakeholders. Considering the effort, money, and commitment required to get certified, those rewards are well-deserved. That …

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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.

5 Excuses Why You Can't Use Agile
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5 Excuses Why You Can’t Use Agile…and Why They’re Just Excuses

During my 10+ years of doing agile and Scrum training and consulting, I’ve heard lots of excuses from people about why they can’t use the agile approach in their organization. Here they are…in no particular order: 1. Our projects are too large and complex. Actually, this is a good reason to use an agile approach! …

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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.

Questions from a Certified Scrum Product Owner CSPO
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Questions from a Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO) Class

I recently taught a Certified Scrum Product Owner® (CSPO) Class at Watermark Learning. As is often the case, our time-box did not allow for a discussion of all of the questions raised during the class. With only two-days to unpack the most difficult role in Scrum, there are always questions that can be explored more …

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Mike Stuedemann, CST, CSM, CSPO, PMI-ACP, PMP

Innovative, servant leader with extensive IT experience and a passion for process improvement. Demonstrated leadership improving team performance in the midst of significant organizational change. Positive, team-oriented management style achieving results through systematic analysis, collaboration and strong project management.

The Benefits of Closing Projects
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The Benefits of Closing Projects – Beyond Lessons Learned

In my experience, and in talking with my students and other practitioners, it is my perception that closing projects is one of the most overlooked processes in the discipline of project management. It’s easy to understand why closing often gets neglected. By the time the project is over, many stakeholders, including the team, have already …

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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.

How to Pass the CBAP Exam Study Tips
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How to Pass the CBAP Exam: Study Tips from Recent Credential Holders

Are you ready to pass the CBAP® and earn your CBAP certification? When the new IIBA Level 3 CBAP exam came out for BABOK® Guide v3 in September 2016, there wasn’t much information on how the exam would change. We now have tips for you directly from people who recently took the CBAP exam and …

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Susan Heidorn, Ed.D., PMP, CBAP, HSDP, CSM, BRMP

Dr. Susan Heidorn, PMP, CBAP, HSDP, CSM, BRMP is the Director of Business Solutions for Watermark Learning in Minneapolis. Susan is an experienced consultant, facilitator, speaker, and trainer, with over 25 years of business experience. Susan directs programs in business analysis, business relationship management, and leadership, including developing and delivering courses and providing consulting. She has been a speaker at a number of IIBA® and PMI® conferences as well as local and regional organizations, boards, and private clients. She is a lifelong learner whose passion it is to guide people into achieving excellence in their personal and professional lives and works on creating positive impacts to the organization.