Business Intelligence: In-House Training Business Intelligence (BI) refers to a set of technology-based techniques, applications, and practices used to aggregate, analyze, and present business data. BI practices provide historical and current views of vast amounts of data and generate predictions for business operations. The purpose of Business Intelligence is the support of better business decision making. This course provides an overview of the technology and application of BI and how it can be used to improve corporate performance. What you will Learn You will learn how to: Specify a data warehouse schema Identify the data and visualization to be used for data mining and Business Intelligence Design a Business Intelligence user interface Getting Started Introductions Agenda Expectations Foundation Concepts The challenge of decision making What is Business Intelligence? The Business Intelligence value proposition Business Intelligence taxonomy Business Intelligence management issues Sources of Business Intelligence Data warehousing Data and information Information architecture Defining the data warehouse and its relationships Facts and dimensions Modeling, meta-modeling, and schemas Alternate architectures Building the data warehouse Extracting Transforming Loading Setting up the data and relationships Dimensions and the Fact Table Implementing many-to-many relationships in data warehouse Data marts Online Analytical Processing (OLAP) What is OLAP? OLAP and OLTP OLAP functionality Multi-dimensions Thinking in more than two dimensions What are the possibilities? OLAP architecture Cubism Tools OLAP variations - MOLAP, ROLAP, HOLAP BI using SOA Applications of Business Intelligence Applying BI through OLAP Enterprise Resource Planning and CRM Business Intelligence and financial information Business Intelligence User Interfaces and Presentations Data access Push-pull data access Types of decision support systems Designing the front end Presentation formats Dashboards Types of dashboards Common dashboard features Briefing books and scorecards Querying and Reporting Reporting emphasis Retrofitting Talking back Key Performance Indicators Report Definition and Visualization Typical reporting environment Forms of visualization Unconstrained views Data mining What is in the mine? Applications for data mining Data mining architecture Cross Industry Standard Process for Data Mining (CISP-DM) Data mining techniques Validation The Business Intelligence User Experience The business analyst role Business analysis and data analysis Five-step approach Cultural impact Identifying questions Gathering information Understand the goals The strategic Business Intelligence cycle Focus of Business Intelligence Design for the user Iterate the access Iterative solution development process Review and validation questions Basic approaches Building ad-hoc queries Building on-demand self-service reports Closed loop Business Intelligence Coming attractions - future of Business Intelligence Best practices in Business Intelligence
Managing Complex Projects: In-House Training As knowledge and technology expand exponentially, organizations are finding that the tools, processes, and methods used to select, plan, and manage their projects are insufficient for the challenges posed by them. The goal of this course is to provide participants with a working knowledge of project complexities and a framework for managing the ambiguities involved in today's fast-changing, competitive, and technology-based environment As knowledge and technology expand exponentially, organizations are finding that the tools, processes, and methods used to select, plan, and manage their projects are insufficient for the challenges posed by them. Complex projects don't necessarily follow the rules of traditional projects - in many instances the projects' end-products, and the methods by which they will be produced, are not easily defined. Stakeholder diversity and geographical dispersion contribute to the difficulties project managers face in their efforts to gain acceptance of project goals, objectives, and changes. Additionally, hierarchic leadership styles, traditional lifecycle approaches, and traditional project manager competencies may no longer maximize the efficiencies that need to be realized on complex projects. The goal of this course is to provide participants with a working knowledge of project complexities and a framework for managing the ambiguities involved in today's fast-changing, competitive, and technology-based environments. What you Will Learn The learning objectives of this workshop are to enable participants to: Appreciate complexity and its impact on the management of projects Describe the differences among traditional, complicated, and complex projects Explain the effects of complexity on the PMBOK® Guide's process groups Apply a high-level model in the management of real- world projects Complexity and Projects Some characteristics of complex systems Important models/characteristics of complex projects Major players in project complexity Landscapes and project typologies A supplemental framework for complex projects Framing Framing overview Potential pitfalls in framing complex projects Possible solutions Inception Centrality of risk management PM competencies, selection Stakeholder identification, analysis Blueprint Collaborative planning Stakeholder engagements Alternative methodologies/life cycles Collaborative scheduling Procurement management Oversight, Navigation, and Adjustment Leadership and the project team Stakeholder management Networks Close and Continuous Improvement Transition/support Post-project evaluations Rewards/Recognition
Project Quality Management: In-House Training In today's environment, quality is the responsibility of everyone. Project success is no longer just the fulfillment of a project on schedule, on budget, and within the scope. Today, projects aren't successful unless the customer's needs are met at the highest level of quality at the lowest cost to the organization. Project Managers must know customer needs, and manage to them throughout the project lifecycle, in order to gain acceptance. Project Quality Management provides an interactive, hands-on environment for participants to practice identification of critical quality requirements (quality planning), fulfillment of those requirements through well-designed processes (Quality Assurance), and statistical awareness of technical specifications of project deliverables (Quality Control). What You Will Learn You'll learn how to: Plan for higher quality project deliverables Measure key performance indicators on projects, processes, and products Turn data into useful project information Take action on analyzed data that will drive down non-value-added costs and drive up customer acceptance and satisfaction Reduce defects and waste in current project management processes Foundation Concepts Quality Defined Customer Focus Financial Focus Quality Management Process Management Cost of Quality Planning for Quality Project Manager Role in Planning Voice of the Customer Quality Management Plan Measurement System Accuracy Data Gathering Data Sampling Manage Quality Process Management Process Mapping Process Analysis Value Stream Mapping Standardization Visual Workplace and 5S Error Proofing (Poka-Yoke) Failure Mode and Effect Analysis Control Quality The Concept of Variation Common Cause Special Cause Standard Business Reports Tracking Key Measurements Control Charts Data Analysis Variation Root Cause Analysis Variance Management Designing for Quality
Project Management Fundamentals for IT Projects A number of factors impact the new project manager's role within IT - for instance, the need to fully integrate IT into the business improvement process and the advent of distributed technology and Business Process Reengineering. As a result, the range of activities required of a new project manager has greatly increased, as well as the range of people with whom he or she interacts. This workshop enables you to minimize the problems inherent in managing a systems development project. What You Will Learn You'll learn how to: Articulate the benefit of using a project management methodology, processes, and various life cycles for IT projects Articulate on various standards and maturity models that provide benefits to performing organizations that manage IT projects Describe governance, gating, and the processes required for project origination Conduct a stakeholder analysis and describe its benefits throughout the project life cycle Gather good requirements, develop a work breakdown structure (WBS), and establish a baseline project plan Execute against the baseline project plan while managing change and configuration items Monitor and control the project activities using the baseline project plan and earned value management concepts Close the project by conducting scope verification, procurement audits, gathering lessons learned, archiving project records, and releasing resources Getting Started Course goal Course structure Course goals and objectives Foundation Concepts Key definitions and concepts Methodologies, processes, and project life cycles Project success factors and the benefits of standards and models Project Originating and Initiating Originating projects Initiating projects Planning Stakeholder Engagement and Resource Management Planning stakeholder engagement Planning human resources management Developing effective leadership skills Planning Scope and Quality Management Planning project scope Planning project quality Planning Schedule Management Planning project time Identifying schedule activities Sequencing schedule activities Estimating activity resources and time Developing project schedule Optimizing the project schedule Planning Risk and Cost Management Planning for project risks Planning project costs Estimating project costs Developing a project budget Planning Communication and Procurement Management Planning project communications Planning project procurements Project Executing, Monitoring and Controlling, and Closing Project executing Project monitoring and controlling Project closing
Project Management Office The goal of this course is to equip the participant with the necessary knowledge and skills to establish, improve, and support a project management office (PMO) that is the catalyst for portfolio and delivery management excellence. This course addresses the complexities of both understanding and choosing the correct PMO framework from among several alternatives. Additionally, the typical PMO supporting elements: domains of work, maturity level, and performance metrics, are elaborated. These elements position a PMO to realize and sustain the business value anticipated by the organization. What You Will Learn At the end of this program, you will be able to: Define a PMO and articulate on its benefits to an organization Explain how a PMO facilitates organizational success Differentiate among the varied PMO frameworks Apply to a PMO framework, domains of work, metrics, and organizational maturity Describe the competency frameworks for management functions within a PMO Plan for and implement a PMO to ensure it is of business value Foundation Concepts Definitions and concepts PMO frameworks PMO domains PMO benefits PMO Frameworks Organizational unit PMO Project-specific PMO Project support or services PMO Center of excellence Enterprise PMO PMO Domains I Strategic planning Standards, methodologies, and processes Governance and performance management Organizational change management PMO Domains II Portfolio management Project and program delivery management Administrative support, knowledge, and talent management PMO Metrics and Maturity PMO metrics PMO maturity PMO maturity assessments PMO Implementation Originating and initiating a PMO Developing a PMO implementation plan Implementing a PMO
Scrum Product Owner Exam Prep This workshop prepares you for the Scrum.org PSPO™ I certification. A voucher for the exam and the access information you will need to take the exam will be provided to you via email after you have completed the course. NOTE: If you have participated in any of IIL's other Scrum workshops, you can bypass this program and focus on reading/studying the Scrum Guide and taking practice exams from Scrum.org The Product Owner is responsible for maximizing the value of the product and the work of the Development Team. The Product Owner must be knowledgeable, available, and empowered to make decisions quickly in order for an Agile project to be successful. The Product Owner's key accountability is the Product Backlog. Managing, maintaining, and evolving the Product Backlog involves: Establishing a clear vision that engages the Development Team and stakeholders Clearly expressing Product Backlog items Ordering the items in the Product Backlog to best achieve the vision and goals Ensuring that the Product Backlog is visible, transparent, and clear to all Working with the Development Team throughout the project to create a product that fits the customer's need What you will Learn You'll learn how to: Successfully prepare for the Scrum.org PSPO I exam Identify the characteristics of a successful Product Owner Create a powerful vision statement Apply techniques to understand your customers and the market Manage and engage stakeholders Write effective user stories with acceptance criteria Utilize techniques to visualize and prioritize the Product Backlog Participate in the 5 Scrum events as the Product Owner Understand the Product Owner's role in closing a Scrum project Getting Started Introductions Workshop orientation Exam prep preview Fundamentals Recap Agile Manifesto, values, and mindset Product Owner characteristics Good vs. great Product Owner Product Ownership Product ownership Project vision Understand your customers and market Personas Stakeholder management and engagement The Product Backlog User Stories and Acceptance Criteria Preparing User Stories for a Sprint The Product Backlog Visualizing the Product Backlog Product Backlog Prioritization Technical Debt Sprint Planning and Daily Standups Sprint Planning Planning Poker Team Engagement Daily Standups Sprint Review, Retrospectives, and Closing Sprint Reviews Key Agile Patterns Retrospectives Closing the Project
Project Accounting and Finance Skills Do you manage both project schedules and budgets, but do not have insight into how actual results relate to the approved budget? Do you desire to have more clarity about the relationship between your project's performance with the accounting and financial systems in your organization? Do you need to understand financial and accounting terminology to bridge the gap between the 'world of finance' and the 'world of project management? Organizations have a need to manage-by-projects, because projects are the means to deliver on strategic goals and objectives. Therefore, the project manager must have an understanding of the financial world of investments to ensure the organization will realize expected business value. This requires a foundation in the principles of accounting and finance to comprehend how the project's contribution provides an organization with a competitive advantage. Learn what you must do to give your organization the assurance it needs that its investment in your project will realize business value. Learn what you must do to give your organization the assurance it needs to know that its investment in your project will realize business value. What You Will Learn At the end of this program, you will be able to: Explain the aspects of classical corporate accounting and finance effects on managing projects Determine how your project fits into the corporate income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement Analyze the financial aspects of managing projects Use earned value management as the basis for decision making throughout the project life Recognize the importance of the project manager's financial responsibilities Focus on what PMs do and should be doing, in support of accounting and finance Use financial information within a project environment to meet financial results Track and analyze the project's financial status and forecast with the goal of realizing benefits Generate work performance data to ensure a project's outcome aligns with financial metrics Foundation Concepts Accounting and Finance Terms and Concepts Accounting and Finance Essentials Financial Terms and Concepts Projects as Financial Investments Overview of 'Two Worlds' Project as Investments Accounting and Finance World: Standards, Principles and Practices Accounting and Finance Standards and Principles Accounting and Finance Practices Capital Budgeting Corporate Budgeting Accounting and Finance World: Economic Project Selection Methods Economic Project Selection Methods Economic Project Selection and the Business Case Project Management World Project Management and Financial Controls Project Management and Work Performance Data Project Management and Earned Value Management Project Management and Work Performance Reporting
Project Estimating and Scheduling: In-House Training Establishing realistic estimates and goals for projects that support business objectives and meet client expectations is one of the most challenging aspects of project planning. Delivering those results within the agreed-upon time, cost, and quality constraints is also challenging. Attempting to meet impossible deadlines with limited budgets often leads to unplanned product shortfalls, causing long-term support and utilization problems. We have all anguished about this recurring problem, but without having the skills or knowledge to take action, we are unable to break the cycle! The goal of this course is for you to be able to support business objectives and meet client expectations by selecting the right planning approach for realistic and cost effective schedules, as well as project budgets. To achieve that, you will focus on gaining the necessary knowledge, skills, and techniques. What You Will Learn At the end of this program, you will be able to: Use the work breakdown structure (WBS) as the basis for effective estimating of project resources Estimate effort and duration using a variety of techniques Develop preliminary schedules using the critical path method Apply a variety of optimization techniques to refine preliminary schedules Establish realistic schedule and cost baselines, with appropriate contingency reserves Explain how earned value management (EVM) contributes to control time and cost performance Foundation Concepts Project management basic definitions and concepts PES Key driver: competing constraints PES Process and success factors Project Definition and the WBS Project definition overview Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) Decomposition: WBS development technique Resource Planning Resource planning overview Identifying resource requirements Identifying and filling resource gaps Applying resource planning tools Effort and Duration Estimating Estimating overview Estimating perspectives and approaches Estimating techniques Effort and duration estimating best practices Project Scheduling Overview of project scheduling Dependencies and the project network diagram Critical path method (CPM) Optimizing the schedule Budget, Risk, and Contingency Planning Overview of budget, risk, and contingency planning Estimating costs Determining the budget Project risk management processes Planning contingency reserves Project Baseline and Control Overview of project baseline Negotiating and the project baseline Earned value management (EVM) Project variances and actions Project control
Project Risk Management: In-House Training Have you been surprised by unplanned events during your projects? Are you and your project team frequently fighting fires? Well, you are not alone. Uncertainty exists in any project environment. While it's impossible to predict project outcomes with 100% certainty, you can influence the outcome, avoid potential risks, and be ready to respond to challenges that arise. In this course, you'll gain the proper knowledge needed to identify, assess, plan for, and monitor risk in your projects. You'll learn how to set up and implement risk management processes, helping you to minimize uncertainty and achieve more consistent, predictable outcomes as a result. What You Will Learn You'll learn how to: Demonstrate to others how the risk management processes in A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) apply to your project's environment, especially for high-risk projects Adapt these processes for a particular high-risk project team's operating principles Explain the importance of using risk management best practices at single and enterprise project levels Lead an initiative to implement risk management best practices in your project environment Foundation Concepts Risk-related definitions The risk management process High-risk projects and project failures Classical failures in implementing risk management Plan Risk Management Project risk management and governance Risk management planning for high-risk projects High-risk variations on a risk management plan Identify Risk Adapting the risk identification process for high-risk projects Recognizing risks spontaneously Confirming and structuring risk events for treatment Wrapping up risk identification for high-risk projects Perform Qualitative Risk Analysis Adapting qualitative risk analysis for high-risk projects Accelerating risk analysis Clearing risk action Wrapping up qualitative risk analysis for the next level Perform Quantitative Risk Analysis Adapting quantitative risk analysis for high-risk projects Ensuring effective risk analyses with data quality assessments Building a foundation for quantitative risk analysis Using discrete quantitative tools Using continuous quantitative tools Wrapping up quantitative risk analysis for high-risk projects Plan Risk Responses Adapting risk response planning for high-risk projects Optimizing active risk response strategies Leveraging contingencies for high project performance Wrapping up risk response planning for high-risk projects Implement Risk Responses Implementing Risk Responses Process Executing Risk Response Plans Tools and Techniques Best Practices Continuous Risk Management Monitor Risks Adapting risk monitoring for high-risk projects Optimizing risk plan maintenance Weaving risk reassessment into the project's progress Maintaining a continuous 'vigil' in high-risk project environments
Developing the Business Case Business analysts must be able to create business case documents that highlight project benefits, costs, and risks. The business case is based on the real business need to be solved. These become parts of proposals, feasibility studies, and other decision support documents. This course teaches the purpose, structure, and content of a business case. It presents the basic techniques for determining financial ROI, non-tangible benefits, and the probability of meeting expectations. What you will Learn At the end of this program, you will be able to: Perform feasibility studies Justify the business investment to solve the business problem Prepare an effective business case document Plan and implement a business case approval process Foundation Concepts The role of the BA An introduction to the BABOK® Guide The business analyst and the product / project life cycle (PLC) The business case deliverable Introducing the Business Case Process The BA and strategy analysis The BA and the business case process (BCP) The BA during the business case process (BCP) The BA after the business case process (BCP) Importance of defining solution performance metrics Defining the Business Need Overview of defining the business need Business needs: problem / opportunity statement Product vision Objectives and constraints Exploring Business Case Solutions Overview of exploring solutions Solution identification for feasibility Solution definition for analysis Assessing project risks Justifying the Business Case Overview of justifying the business case Qualitative justification Quantitative justification Approving the Business Case Overview of business case approval Developing recommendations Preparing the decision package - documents Preparing the decision package - presentations