November 2013 Feature Article
Project Management Lessons Learned
During Jury Duty, Part 3
By Elizabeth Larson, PMP, CBAP, CSM
Co-Principal, Watermark Learning, Inc.
This is the third and final part of a three-part series on the lessons learned from jury duty. In Part 1 I explored the analogy of potential jurors waiting for assignments to stakeholders waiting for their end product. In Part 2 I examined the importance of communicating the complete scope, and in Part 3 I will talk about the importance of communicating the plan. Communicate the plan and provide updates. What could be more obvious—right? Then why is it so hard?
Product News
Cyber Monday is Coming!
Your Chance to Save 40%
 Once again this year, Watermark Learning will repeat its popular Cyber Monday sale. It's your chance to save 40% on our professional development courses and products.
Cyber Monday is a 24-hour sale, and will take place this year on December 2, 2013. It's your chance to save 40% by registering for a class or ordering one of our acclaimed BA or PM educational products on this special, once-a-year sale day. But remember, this offer is only good from 12 am-11:59 pm CST-US on December 2!
Watch your email for more details and a special Cyber Monday coupon and discount code. In the meantime, check out either our Public Class Schedule for a complete list of courses, or our CBAP/CCBA or PMP/CAPM products to make a selection and plan your Cyber Monday shopping!
Will YOU be Watermark Learning Student No. 50,000?
Another milestone in Watermark Learning's 20+ year history is fast approaching. We will soon register our 50,000th student! In addition to approaching the 50,000-student mark, Watermark's CBAP/CCBA Online Study Exam now has over 2500 users in 67 countries worldwide!
You could be the 50,000th student and win a Microsoft Surface Tablet or a free class registration in either an in-person or virtual online open-enrollment course, worth up to $1,995 USD. Click here to visit our Public Class Schedule page for more details and to register for a class that might make YOU that special No. 50,000!
So You Think You Want to be a Project Manager?
By Andrea Brockmeier, PMP
I ran across an online discussion recently that posed the question: What would make you quit your job as a project manager? What would make someone not want to be a project manager?
As I considered this, it didn’t take long for things to come to mind. I got to thinking about my students’ and colleagues’ experiences with absent, disinterested, or unsupportive sponsors. I hear this a lot. If you felt like you weren’t supported by a sponsor, that would surely make you want to do something other than project management.
Industry News
Visit Watermark Learning at
Building Business Capability 2013!
Mandalay Bay Convention Center
Las Vegas, Nevada
Nov. 13-15, 2013
We'll be exhibiting at the BBC Conference this year as a Gold Sponsor of the event, and invite you to visit us at Booth 300 in the Sponsor Showcase. Stop by and give us your thoughts on what achieving your CBAP or PMP designation means to you. If you like, we'll even videotape your remarks!
Don't forget that Watermark Learning Principals Elizabeth and Richard Larson will be available to sign copies of their newest book, Practitioner's Guide to Requirements Management, 2nd Edition, at the IIBA Bookstore on the exhibit floor at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 14, 2013. Stop by the bookstore to meet the authors and purchase your very own autographed copy of this essential, step-by-step, approach to managing requirements.
Be sure to attend engaging and informative presentations at BBC by two Watermark experts. See details below.
Article Sets Project Times.com Readership Record
"10 Steps to Creating a Project Plan"
The article "10 Steps to Creating a Project Plan" has set an all-time readership record for articles published on the site. As of the end of October, the article, authored by Watermark Learning co-principals Elizabeth Larson, PMP, CBAP, CSM and Richard Larson, PMP, CBAP, exceeded 208,000 reads by Project Times visitors.
The article provides a 10-step approach to creating the project plan, not only showing how it provides a roadmap for project managers to follow, but also exploring why it is the project manager's premier communications and control tool throughout the project. The original article, titled "10 Critical Steps to Create a Project Plan" was published by Watermark three years earlier. Read the article.
IIBA Celebrates 10th Anniversary!
The International Institute of Business Analysis ® (IIBA ®) recently marked the 10th anniversary of its founding. The inaugural meeting of IIBA was held on October 29, 2003 in Toronto, Canada with 28 founding members from 21 different organizations. In March 2004, the association was formalized.
 In 10 short years IIBA has grown to over 27,000 international members in 128 countries. The association has achieved our vision of becoming the world's leading association for business analysis professionals. Watermark Learning became a charter Endorsed Education Provider for the IIBA in 2006. Find out more about IIBA and special events to mark the 10th anniversary.
BABOK Guide Now Available in German Print Edition
 A Guide to the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge® (BABOK® Guide) is now available in a print edition directly from the German publisher. The German edition will be especially helpful for those preparing to take the German-language CBAP® exam. For more information or to purchase a print copy of the German translation of the BABOK Guide please click here. The German translation is not available in PDF form and is not included with IIBA member benefits.
Upcoming Watermark Learning Classes
 Watermark Learning offers expert training to help you achieve your full career potential. Each class listed on our current Public Class Schedule links to a detailed course outline and a page to start your registration. All classes listed are also available for on-site training.
International Partner News
First Germany-Austria BA Summit a Huge Success
Featuring a high-caliber roster of experienced presenters, the first ever Germany-Austria Business Analysis Summit exceeded all expectations. The Summit was held in Salzburg on October 11, 2013 and is the first German-language session for the business analysis profession held in Europe.
Summit sponsors included both Watermark Learning and its German partner, masVenta. Among the presenters were Watermark Learning principals Elizabeth Larson and Richard Larson, while Rainer Wendt, Managing Director of masVenta, co-chaired the event.
Building Business Capability Conference 2013
November 14, 2013
4:40 p.m. - 5:40 p.m. PST
Presentation by Elizabeth Larson, PMP, CBAP, CSM
November 15, 2013
10:10 a.m. - 11:10 a.m. PST
Presentation by Bob Prentiss, CBAP
Business Analyst World Chicago
November 18, 2013
10:30 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. CST
Presentation by Bob Prentiss, CBAP
Watermark Learning Webinar Event
November 21, 2013
1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. EST
PW&WCBA 2013 Webinar Series
Presentation by Richard Larson, PMP, CBAP
Watermark Learning Webinar Event
December 6, 2013
11:00 a.m. - 11:30 - a.m. CST
Free session to ask anything related to CBAP/CCBA Certification.
Watermark Learning Webinar Event
December 12, 2013
1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. EST
PW&WCBA 2013 Webinar Series
Presentation by Andrea Brockmeier, PMP
Watermark Learning Webinar Event
December 13, 2013
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. CST
Presentation by Bob Prentiss, CBAP
“Our organization is incorporating principles of Agile as Project Managers, Business and Sponsors endorse the practice. It is very worthwhile to get a "refresher" like this to keep focused on how to use Agile in the next project. Always good to listen to the presenter speak on the subject!!"
- Attendee at September Mini Course
For a complete list and to register, please visit our Events page.
“"I've been reading from absolutely different sources and forums about the effectiveness of Watermark Learning study tools, mentioning that Watermark tools are the most similar to real exams. It was proved once I subscribed to CBAP online study exam. This tool gives a wide choice of questions from different knowledge areas with explanation and link to the source in BABOK. -Ismayil Feyzullayev
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