Effecting Business Process Improvement - The Proactive Business Analyst: On-Demand Business analysts facilitate the solution of business problems. The solutions are put into practice as changes to the way people perform in their organizations and the tools they use. The business analyst is a change agent who must understand the basic principles of quality management. This course covers the key role that business analysts play in organizational change management. What You Will Learn You will learn how to: Define and document a business process Work with various business modeling techniques Perform an enterprise analysis in preparation for determining requirements Analyze business processes to discern problems Foundation Concepts Overview of business analysis and process improvement Defining the business process Introducing the proactive business analyst Focusing on business process improvement for business analysts Launching a Successful Business Process Improvement Project Overview of the launch phase Understanding and creating organizational strategy Selecting the target process Aligning the business process improvement project's goals and objectives with organizational strategy Defining the Current Process Overview of current process phase Documenting the business process Business modeling options: work-flow models Business modeling options: Unified Modeling Language (UML) model adaptations for business processes Analyzing the Current Process Process analysis overview Evaluation: establishing the control group Opportunity techniques: multi-discipline problem-solving Opportunity techniques: matrices Building and Sustaining a Recommended Process Overview of the recommended process and beyond Impact analysis Recommended process Transition to the business case Return to proactive state
Writing and Managing Requirements Documents - Creating the Acceptable, Approvable Requirements Document: On-Demand This course will enhance the skill set needed for writing and managing the complex readership that business analysts interact with on a day-to-day basis. What You Will Learn Upon Completion, participants will be able to: Write an understood requirements document that is approvable and acceptable Validate a requirements document Manage the changes to requirements documents through the SDLC Foundation Concepts The role of the business analyst An introduction to the BABOK® Guide The business analyst and the product/project life cycle The requirements documentation process Planning for Effective Requirements Documentation Overview of requirements planning Planning for validation Planning for verification: well-formed criteria Planning for verification: understood and usable criteria Writing Effective Requirements Documents Overview of writing requirements documents Using a standard structure / template Applying formatting techniques Meeting the challenge of writing non-functional requirements Baselining Requirements Documents Overview of the requirements baseline process Validation Verification Approval Managing Requirements Change through the Product Life Cycle Overview of requirements change management Establishing a formal change management process Tracing requirements through design and development (build, test, and implementation) Following through to post-implementation (transition and early production) Summary What did we learn, and how can we implement this in our work environments?
Managing Multiple Projects: On-Demand Succeeding in today's competitive marketplace often requires cycle time reduction - reducing the duration of projects and getting results faster. This workshop will address managing multiple projects within the context of program or product management. Are your projects taking longer and longer to complete? Are results less than optimal because of time pressures on resources? Would you like to increase project 'throughout'? Succeeding in today's competitive marketplace often requires cycle time reduction - reducing the duration of projects and getting results faster. This workshop will address managing multiple projects within the context of program or product management. Planning and managing individual projects is challenging. When introducing the real-life limitation of resources and other outside influences into the multi-project environment, those challenges are magnified, and new challenges are introduced. This interactive workshop will position you for immediate action. The goal of this course is to equip you with the necessary knowledge, skills, and techniques so that you can effectively and productively manage multiple projects. What you Will Learn You'll learn how to: Manage stakeholder relationships and expectations Prioritize and sequence multiple projects Manage time and stress within a multiple project environment Effectively manage logical dependencies among projects Optimize the use of resources across multiple projects using concepts from Critical Chain methods Manage risk and communications in a multiple project environment Getting Started Introductions Course structure Course goals and objectives Foundation Concepts Portfolio, program, and project management principles The multiple project environment The MMP Process Model Developing the Multiple Project List Multiple project portfolio management Project selection Project categories and types The multiple project list Multiple Project Logical Dependencies Project dependencies Types of multiple project portfolios Categories of logical dependencies across multiple projects Project priorities in the multiple project schedule Multiple Project Resource Management Multiple project resources and resource management concepts Multiple project resource loading Resource pool and resource database Multiple project resource issues and outsourcing Critical chain resource management, including drum resources and multi-tasking Managing Risk Across Multiple Projects Multiple project risk management process Identifying, assessing, and responding to multiple project risks Critical chain and multiple project risks Risk interrelationship management methods Creating and Executing the Multiple Project Plan The multiple project plan Multiple project scheduling Multiple project budgeting Executing and maintaining the multiple project plan Controlling in the multiple project environment Tools in multiple project management Multiple Project Communications Effective communication in the multiple project environment Common communication barriers Multiple project communications plan Resolving multiple project conflicts Summary and Next Steps What did we learn, and how can we implement this in our work environments?
Leading People Through Change (Free L&I Conference Course) (On-Demand) Research shows that 70% of change initiatives fail in large organizations. The largest factor contributing to this failure rate is leadership - the inability to plan and lead people through change. In many change situations, tremendous focus is put on strategy, processes, and systems, while the issue of changing people's behavior is assumed it will 'just happen'. In this interactive course, you will learn why the people's side of change is crucial. We will begin by understanding why and how people resist change, and how important it is to become strong and effective change champions. Next, we will focus on critical change management practices - creating our vision of the future state, planning for acceptance in our change audience and stakeholders, mitigating threats, and capitalizing on opportunities. We will use metrics to plan, show progress, and confirm success. Lastly, we will focus on the need to reinforce and sustain change, and to prevent relapse to old ways and methods. What you will Learn At the end of this program, you will be able to: Realize the nature of change and describe how resistance manifests in people Compare prevalent change models and categorize their similarities Identify and rate the skills, traits, and behaviors of effective change champions Envision the future state and assess stakeholders Plan for change communication, training, and risks Evaluate change effectiveness using feedback and metrics Develop reinforcement practices for benefits and communication Foundation Concepts What is Change? Resistance to Change Common Change Management Theories Becoming a Change Champion Plan Envisioning the future state Planning for people Change management plan Do Change communication Training Piloting Risks Study Feedback Metrics Variance analysis Act Benefits realization Change sustainment Reinforcement messaging and communications
Leading People Through Change (Free L&I Conference Course): On-Demand The goal of this course is for you to effectively lead and manage people through times of change. Research shows that 70% of change initiatives fail in large organizations. The largest factor contributing to this failure rate is leadership - the inability to plan and lead people through change. In many change situations, tremendous focus is put on strategy, processes, and systems, while the issue of changing people's behavior is assumed it will 'just happen'. In this interactive course, you will learn why the people's side of change is crucial. We will begin by understanding why and how people resist change, and how important it is to become strong and effective change champions. Next, we will focus on critical change management practices - creating our vision of the future state, planning for acceptance in our change audience and stakeholders, mitigating threats, and capitalizing on opportunities. We will use metrics to plan, show progress, and confirm success. Lastly, we will focus on the need to reinforce and sustain change, and to prevent relapse to old ways and methods. What You Will Learn At the end of this program, you will be able to: Realize the nature of change and describe how resistance manifests in people Compare prevalent change models and categorize their similarities Identify and rate the skills, traits, and behaviors of effective change champions Envision the future state and assess stakeholders Plan for change communication, training, and risks Evaluate change effectiveness using feedback and metrics Develop reinforcement practices for benefits and communication Foundation Concepts What is Change? Resistance to Change Common Change Management Theories Becoming a Change Champion Plan Envisioning the future state Planning for people Change management plan Do Change communication Training Piloting Risks Study Feedback Metrics Variance analysis Act Benefits realization Change sustainment Reinforcement messaging and communications
This course pulls together the most current and popular theories and writings on this complex topic and presents this amalgamated view in a highly interactive workshop and activity-based approach. Students will understand and have the skills required to build and participate in high-performance project teams and will possess the insight to proactively affect change within their respective organizations by guiding the existing culture to one that promotes high performance.
Project Management Fundamentals - Français Many projects are managed by very efficient and very competent people who have no training in project management.They manage projects as they would manage a process improvement, the deployment of a marketing campaign, the development of a new product, the planning or implementation of an event, or many other 'tasks' referred to as projects.The 'Project Management Fundamentals' course (in English 'Project Management Fundamentals', or 'PMF') is designed to support those people who need a solid foundation of project management knowledge, without being unnecessarily overloaded by learning in addition to the usual work. The course provides a set of practices, concepts and principles that can be brought to the workplace, as well as knowledge to adapt to specific project environments.Nowadays, this relates for example to Agile or iterative methods.Thus, we recently added the key concepts of Agile to allow a basic understanding of how these two methods can possibly coexist. What You Will Learn At the end of this program, you will be able to: Use standard project management terminology. Describe the benefits and importance of strong project management. Identify the character of a successful project by a successful project manager. Recognize how agile/adaptive practices are incorporated into project management. Explore project management processes, starting, planning, executing, monitoring and controlling, and closing. Use project management processes and tools based on case studies and real-world situations. Create a first project plan. Getting Started Basic Concepts people and projects Getting started and defining requirements Use the Project Work Flowchart Manage project risks Estimations Deadlines Execute, communicate and develop the team To master Close the project Summary and Next Steps
Politics and Project Management - Turn Project Politics into a Positive Force for Project Objectives: On-Demand The goal of this course is to provide project managers with a strong working ability to recognize and successfully navigate organizational politics for the good of projects. What You Will Learn You'll learn how to: Explain how positive politics are a valuable method for getting things done in projects Apply positive political principles and techniques in an ethical manner Use politically sound strategies, tools, and techniques for positive achievement of project objectives Getting Started Introductions Course structure Course goals and objectives Introduction to Project Politics Framing project politics Characterizing project politics Distinguishing self-interest from project politics Political Skills in Projects Embracing positive politics Identifying political competencies in projects Exploring personal political competencies Politics and Power in Projects Positioning power in projects Exploring sources of power Comparing power and influence Developing strategies for power and influence Project Politics and Conflict Facing conflict - a fact of life Turning conflict into a positive force Channeling conflict into good decisions Resolving conflict in and around project politics Tackling deeper conflicts Managing conflict that escalates Summary What did we learn and how can we implement this in our work environments? Creating your own personal action plan
Work Breakdown Structures - Français: On-Demand It's amazing how often project managers start the project planning process by making a list of all the tasks they think will be needed to complete a project, then proclaiming that they've created the breakdown structure. (WBS) for the project.The result is a list of hundreds or even thousands of tasks, many of which have a duration of a few days or a few hours. Essentially what they did was create a 'to do' list, which they then use as a 'checklist' to measure progress.This approach leads to, and even encourages, the micromanagement of resources working on the project without considering the more critical aspects of project management such as: requirements management, risk management, procurement management, estimating , planning, execution and control.Moreover, it is impossible to see the big picture, at detailed levels, in line with the needs of sponsors, customers, project and functional managers, team leaders and project implementers. Join us for this exciting program and learn how to use the WBS to make more informed business decisions. What You Will Learn You will learn how: Describe the need for a WBS project Describe the role of WBS in the project Gain hands-on experience in developing, decomposing, and using WBS Determine the appropriate level of detail in the WBS. Explain how the WBS integrates with project requirements, risks, procurement, estimating, planning, and overall project execution. Provide the basic tools to improve the effective reuse of key information in your future projects Getting started Concepts de base WBS & Perimeter WBS & Risks WBS & Estimations WBS & Echéancier WBS & Execution and Mastery Summary and Next Steps
Virtual Agile Teams: On-Demand Agile teams are a must in this world of intense competition, marketing demands, and changing expectations. Global virtual teaming has become a necessity as organizations become increasingly distributed, with suppliers and clients actively engaged in joint projects. Agile Teams now work across geographical, organizational, and cultural boundaries to deliver solutions and services to global users. Distance and differences may amplify the effect of issues and factors that are relatively straightforward for co-located Agile teams. This workshop delivers practical concepts and techniques that participants will start using immediately with their virtual Agile teams. The goal of the course is to enable you to successfully execute your preferred Agile or Scrum methods in a virtual project team environment. What you will Learn At the end of this program, you will be able to: Explain the characteristics of a virtual team and how they differ from a co-located team Build an effective virtual Agile team using a Team Charter approach Develop Release Plans, including prioritizing user stories, with a virtual Agile Team Construct a Sprint plan, including effective user story estimates, virtually Execute a Sprint, including essential Agile or Scrum ceremonies, virtually Conduct effective virtual meetings in an environment supportive of Agile and Scrum methods Foundation Concepts Agile Mindset and Values Agile Benefits and Methods Scrum Overview Co-located vs. Virtual Teams Forming Virtual Agile Teams Exploring Virtual Leadership Focusing on Virtual Agile Leaders Developing a Virtual Agile Team Charter Meeting Team Challenges in a Virtual Environment Planning Releases with a Virtual Agile Team Planning releases overview Estimating user stories Prioritizing user stories Setting release parameters Getting consensus on the release plan Planning a Sprint for a Virtual Project Sprint Planning Overview Confirming Sprint Scope with Virtual Agile Teams Developing a Sprint Delivery Plan for Virtual Agile Teams Running a Sprint in a Virtual Environment Self-organizing a Sprint for a Virtual Agile Team Using Scrum tools in a Virtual Environment Conducting End of Sprint Meetings in a Virtual Environment Iterating as a Virtual Agile Team Creating an Environment for Success Piloting a virtual Agile team Creating an Agile-friendly virtual environment