Integrating Design Thinking, Lean and Agile: On-Demand This program provides an overview of Design Thinking, Lean Startup and Agile methods and illustrates how each should be applied and integrated into the journey of an idea all the way to business value realization. Developing an innovative idea into a stage of business value realization is a long and tedious journey; it involves different types of thinking and working at different stages of the life of the idea. Broadly speaking, this journey can be classified into 3 stages: deep understanding of user needs and innovating solutions; experimenting with a solution concept through prototyping and validating; and implementing the solution prototype into a commercial solution. Design Thinking, Lean Startup and Agile methods fit perfectly into these 3 stages. This program provides an overview of each of these methods and illustrates how each should be applied and integrated into the journey of an idea all the way to business value realization. What You Will Learn At the end of this program, you will be able to: Identify the end-to-end scenario of driving a business through innovation and when each method among Design Thinking, Lean and Agile would be appropriate. Gain an overview of Design Thinking, Lean startup and Agile methods, tools and techniques. Recognize the difference in mindset and focus for each method and shift the mindset based on the stage of the project. Define the process integration points for the three methodologies. Need for Integrating Design Thinking, Lean and Agile The importance of innovation and design thinking Design thinking processes Agile Overview of Design Thinking Design Thinking overview 5 phases of Design Thinking Overview of Lean Introduction to lean Defining value in innovative endeavors Overview of Agile Agile Manifesto Lean and Disciplined Agile Integrating Design Thinking, Lean and Agile Goal of each of the three stages of the business endeavor Mindset and focus needed in the three stages Process integration points for Design Thinking, Lean and Agile Scaling the Integration to Achieve Business Agility Scaling the integration of Design Thinking, Lean Startup and Agile How Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) achieves integration
Business Relationship Management Fundamentals: On-Demand Business Relationship Management (BRM) Fundamentals introduces BRM as a capability, role, and discipline. Participants can expect an interactive and lively one-day session, with a high-level introduction to successfully navigate the complexity of BRM. What you will Learn During this course, we will show you how to: Define BRM as a capability, role, and discipline Describe what a BRM does and does not do Provide the language needed to change perceptions and perspectives Learn how the BRM discipline interacts with other disciplines (project management, architecture, Business Analysts, Business functions, strategy, etc..) inside an organization Explain the basic introduction to the different frameworks, processes, and models to bring structure and guidance to BRM Introductions and Expectations Business Relationship Management Institute Knowledge path to success Business Relationship Management (BRM) Defined BRM DNA = Develop, Nurture, and Advance BRM as a capability, role, and discipline Why BRM BRM is the answer to converging functions as strategic partners sharing ownership of strategy and results BRM evolves enterprise culture BRM capability builds strategic partnerships and drives business value BRM in Action Evolving enterprise culture Building strategic partnerships Driving business value BRM Results Relationships Business value BRM artifacts Communications Summary Reasons BRM fails Certificate of Experience: BRM Fundamentals What is next?
Introduction to Agile for Executives: On-Demand This session provides executives with an overview of Agile values and principles, the key benefits of an Agile approach, and its differences with the traditional Waterfall method. During the session, we compare and contrast the major Agile methods, with an emphasis on Scrum, as the most popular in the market. And most importantly, we present some criteria for Agile Transformation, possible certifications to pursue, and what is needed at the senior leadership level to achieve the best business results. What you will Learn At the end of this program, you will be able to: Explain the basics and benefits of using an Agile approach Describe the Scrum framework, its events, artifacts, and roles and responsibilities Illustrate an Agile approach outside of Software Development Define Scaled Agile Determine how to support an Agile transformation for your organization Getting Started Introduction Course structure Course goals and objectives Agile Introduction What is Agile? Agile benefits Agile myths and realities Overview of Agile Methods Overview of Agile methods Scrum method Lean and Kanban methods Criteria and certifications What Executives Need to Know About Agile Agile is not just for IT Agile can be scaled Agile transformation needs your support Summary and Next Steps Review Personal Action Plan
Project White Belt® 2013 - Getting Started with Microsoft® Project 2013: On-Demand This workshop serves as an introduction to the interface and features of Microsoft® Project 2013. It is kept up to date with the framework outlined by Project Management Institute's A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide). This course will be led by an IIL-certified instructor who will outline the benefits of Microsoft Project, provide tips on using various features and common shortcuts, recommend guidelines, and discuss the application of scheduling concepts to manage project work. What You Will Learn You'll learn how to: Define key scheduling concepts and terms Effectively navigate the user interface and interpret common views Configure essential elements of a new schedule Enter and modify a task list Set dependencies between tasks Create a basic resource list and generate assignments Format targeted areas of the Gantt Chart view Prepare the schedule for printing Getting Started Introductions Course objectives Course outline Navigating the User Interface and Views Navigate and use the Ribbon Use and customize the Quick Access Toolbar Modify general and display options Become familiar with major elements on the Project screen Navigate Gantt Chart, calendar, and network diagram views Search for a help topic Setting up a New Schedule Create new schedules Create a new schedule using existing information Enter and modify the schedule start date Enter and modify exception days in the calendar Entering, Modifying, and Outlining Task Data Enter, edit, correct, and clear information Enter unscheduled tasks Enter duration estimates for a single task or multiple tasks Organize tasks Set up a multi-level outline Add notes to tasks Creating Dependencies by Setting Links Identify a critical path in a simple schedule Understand how scheduling software calculates a critical path Describe dynamic schedules and dependencies Create links using various methods Display the critical path Entering and Assigning Resources Plan for resources Create a list of available resources Assign resources Formatting Gantt Chart View Format text and Gantt Chart bars Format a collection of items Configure print options
Facilitating Effective Meetings (On-Demand) But despite the costs and consequences, every-day people in any role have the ability to change that. They can reduce cost, improve productivity, and enhance their workplace cultures by improving their meeting facilitation skills. And that is because facilitation skills start in the planning stage, not in the live meeting stage. In this course, participants will learn that their responsibility as a facilitator is to be a steward of time, money, relationships, and performance. To do that, they will learn to estimate costs of meetings and practice a variety of strategic thinking and analysis tasks to effectively plan results-aligned meetings. They will also apply several techniques and strategies to proactively prevent and deal with conflict in meetings, as well as give objective, constructive feedback to others in order to create behavior change during meetings. Participants must bring laptops with them and have internet access during the course (both virtual classroom and traditional classroom). The laptops are needed for specific activities. Also note that this course pairs well with IIL's Conflict Resolution Skills and Decision Making and Problem Solving courses, which go much deeper into related skills and tools that support effective meeting facilitation. What you will Learn At the end of this program, you will be able to: Estimate the financial and time costs of attendance for real-world meetings Use a performance formula to define the purpose of meetings Describe the responsibilities and qualities of an effective facilitator Analyze situations to determine when a meeting is necessary Articulate performance-driven meeting goals and results Align meeting goals and results Strategize to invite, involve, and exclude appropriate attendees Explain research-based best practices for meeting decisions and agenda developmentCreate an effective agenda for a results-driven meeting Apply proactive tools and strategies for relationship-building dealing with meeting conflict Give constructive behavioral feedback using the Situation-Behavior-Impact® technique The Business Case for Effective Facilitation Embracing the research on meetings Estimating the real costs of meetings Determining a meeting's performance value Clarifying the meeting facilitator's role Facilitating the Meeting Plan Determining if a meeting is necessary Aligning meeting goals with meeting types Identifying the right attendees Creating a strategically effective agenda Facilitating the Live Meeting Building relationships from the start Dealing with conflict proactively Giving feedback on unproductive behavior
Project Management for Non-Project Managers (On-Demand) Individuals who are involved in projects (commissioning, supporting, sponsoring, etc.) may often be unfamiliar with project management. A basic understanding of project management is essential for non-project managers, who are critical stakeholders contributing to project success. This awareness course uses A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) and other sources to introduce you to project management vocabulary, concepts, and techniques. It also provides insights into the realities of being a project manager, and opportunities to explore how you can positively impact projects in your own role. What You Will Learn At the end of this program, you will be able to: Identify the benefits of project management Use standard project management terminology Describe characteristics of successful projects, project managers, and high-performing teams Explain various project stakeholder roles, their responsibilities, and the fundamental project management processes Recognize how agile / adaptive practices are useful for certain project life cycles Create a personal action plan for how to support real-world projects within a non-PM role Getting Started Introductions Course structure Course goals and objectives Foundation Concepts Project management overview Strategic value of project management Defining project success Project life-cycle models and governance Project roles and responsibilities Project Initiating and Planning Initiating the project Defining project requirements and scope Developing the project schedule and budget Project Risk Management, Executing, Monitoring, and Closing Understanding, evaluating, and adjusting for risk Honoring the baseline and executing the project Monitoring and controlling the project Closing the project Project Interpersonal Processes Project communication Project team development Conflict management Summary and Next Steps
Project management professionals constantly need to make project decisions that could be decisive for the outcome of their projects but often do not have sufficient information available to confidently make decisions. As a result, projects are increasingly falling short of delivering on their promises, requiring, more than ever, a data-informed approach to decision-making in the area of project delivery and management. The rapid growth of data comes with various challenges though, which consequently needs consideration of various critical factors for a successful implementation of a data-informed decision-making process in organizations and projects.
Grateful Leadership™ - Using the Power of Acknowledgment® to Engage All Your People and Achieve Superior Results: On-Demand Effective leaders must find ways to enhance people's level of engagement, commitment, and support, especially during the difficult periods of time that all organizations may face. Grateful Leaders can tap into the power of personal commitment and dedication by acknowledging people in an authentic and heartfelt manner. Those leaders who model true acknowledgment behavior will inspire others to do the same and to want to dramatically increase their levels of contribution to the organization, making the power of acknowledgment transformational. What You Will Learn You'll learn how to: Understand and develop the capability to act upon the need for Grateful Leadership to create a culture of appreciation in the workplace Understand the potentially huge benefits of Grateful Leadership in the workplace Overcome the barriers to using acknowledgment Demonstrate the language and subtleties of authentic and heartfelt acknowledgement behavior Describe the Seven Principles of Acknowledgment for "High-Interest Benefits" in the context of participant's personal leadership style Describe how to coach teams, managers, and other corporate stakeholders in using Grateful Leadership to produce breakthrough results Getting Started Introductions Course goals and objectives Introspection on the practice of Grateful Leadership The Workforce Engagement Sustainability Challenge Employees who are engaged, not engaged, and actively disengaged The costs of non-engagement Meeting the workforce engagement challenge Acknowledgment, Engagement, and Leadership Acknowledgment and its benefits Recognition versus acknowledgment 'Challenging people' case study Blanchard, Covey, Keith (Servant Leadership): how acknowledgment fits into these leadership models Leadership and acknowledgment The 5 C's - Consciousness, Courage, Choice, Communication, Commitment Employing the Power of Acknowledgment Overcoming barriers to acknowledgment The Seven High-Interest Benefits Principles of Acknowledgment Exploring the acknowledgment process Applying the Principles of Acknowledgment within the Context of Your Personal Leadership Style Case study The ROI of Grateful Leadership Creating your Grateful Leadership Personal Action Plan™ Creating a Vision Statement for your organization that incorporates Grateful Leadership into your corporate culture The 360° Grateful Leadership Competency Assessment Summary What did we learn, and how can we implement this in our work environments?
Critical Thinking and Creative Problem Solving: On-Demand Two critical skillsets for the future of work are critical thinking and creative problem solving. These modes of working and thinking intersect and overlap; both are necessary and both can be taught. Having the ability to exercise creativity while at the same time applying structure and discipline to the thinking process is a key competency in the twenty-first century workplace. This course explores the interplay between critical and creative thinking, and the necessity of each to effective problem solving and decision making. Participants will learn a variety of techniques to apply critical thinking to real-life scenarios. They will experiment with different problem-solving approaches and will learn about cognitive influences on our decisions and choices. The course delves into the business value of creativity and involves participants in actively integrating criticality, creativity, and problem solving. What you will Learn At the end of this program, you will be able to: Explain basic concepts of problem solving Infer types of cognitive biases that impact decision making Utilize types of root cause analysis Differentiate among obstacles to sound decision making Apply a variety of problem-solving approaches / processes to existing challenges Evaluate alternative solution methods using various techniques Analyze real world problem scenarios to determine the lateral thinking type needed to address them Foundation Concepts Definitions Thinking modes and cognitive bias Basic problem-solving framework Problem Definition and Solution Generation Root cause analysis Basic problem-solving obstacles Generating alternative solutions Evaluating Alternatives Critical thinking guidelines Obstacles to sound decision making Tools for evaluating alternatives Exploring Lateral Thinking Problem-solving challenge Workplace application
Time Management and Productivity - Organizing and Prioritizing to Get Things Done!: On-Demand Effective time management reduces stress and helps you better adhere to commitments. This course is designed to help you identify personal and organizational priorities and gain better control of where you focus your attention. You will explore the importance of planning and organizing, and you will practice sorting through and setting priorities. You will also learn how to set better time boundaries and manage the demands of others. Working with a time management framework, you will use a set of practical techniques to organize and manage your work to better deliver on your commitments. Techniques for overcoming procrastination will be addressed, as well as strategies for dealing with information overload. What You Will Learn You'll learn how to: Plan and prioritize each day's activities in a more efficient, productive manner Establish strategies to execute priorities and overcome procrastination Understand how to make trade-offs when faced with fire drills How to set and communicate boundary conditions Getting Started Introductions Course orientation Participants expectations Foundation Concepts Exercise: A Day in Your Life Resources to implement change MindsetToolsetSkillset What is your time really worth? The dynamics of procrastination The myth of multi-tasking Brain Rules - how to optimize your efficiency Organization and Prioritization Time management best practices Goal setting Exercise: Identifying Your Priorities The importance of organization Time management framework Prioritizing time Time Management Techniques Tips for managing time Nine ways to overcome procrastination The STING technique Managing your time Handling unplanned urgenciesDealing with information overload Delegation and managing others time Creating your personal action plan Summary What did we learn, and how can we implement this in our work environment?