Requirements Workshops That Work (Facilitation)

Copyright2008-2010 Requirements Quest Requirements Workshops That Work (Facilitation) www.requirementsquest.com Course Outline, Page 1 608.850.6377 (B); 608.850.6387 (F)

Course Description

This interactive, 1-day course is designed to help students turn ordinary requirements-gathering meetings into productive requirements workshops. No time allotted in the project plan to run a workshop? Well-facilitated workshops are known to reduce requirements-gathering time by as much as 40 percent. This course will not produce certified facilitators (as it usually takes focused training and years of experience to master the skills of a Facilitator). Rather, this fast-paced course equips the students with tools, templates, worksheets, examples, and numerous tips for conducting effective requirements workshops. Students will apply practical techniques during hands-on exercises to enforce learning. The goal is for each student to carry away a repeatable framework for planning and conducting a basic workshop.

Practical Techniques Presented

Introduction Techniques foster team-building among workshop participants. Purpose Statement helps to define why the workshop is being conducted. Preparation Checklist outlines 12 steps for workshop success. Standard Agenda saves time on preparation and increases overall effectiveness. Workshop Activity Worksheet provides step-by-step guidance to planning activities. Intervention Techniques are used to manage group dynamics.

Objectives

Understand the benefits of a requirements workshop. Obtain knowledge of how to prepare for a requirements workshop. Gather tips for conducting a workshop. Learn techniques for managing the participants in a requirements workshop. Apply concepts for workshop creation through hands-on exercises. Network with other business analysis professionals.

Extras

Requirements Workshop Quick Reference. Tools & Templates Handout includes:

o Requirements Workshop Preparation Checklist. o Workshop Purpose Statement Worksheet. o Stakeholder Profiling. o Agenda Worksheet. o Workshop Charter Example. o Annotated Agenda Example. o Workshop Evaluation.

Copyright2008-2010 Requirements Quest Requirements Workshops That Work (Facilitation) www.requirementsquest.com Course Outline, Page 2 608.850.6377 (B); 608.850.6387 (F)

Duration One Day (8 education hours). IIBA Endorsed Education Provider #010. Course #021. Attendance Limit Class size is limited to fifteen (15) students to ensure an optimal learning environment. Course Fee On-site Pricing: discount available, plus instructor travel expenses. Please call 608-850-6377 to discuss your specific training needs. Public Pricing: $750 (US) per student. We offer discount pricing when registering for two or more sessions, or when registering 4 or more for the same course. Please contact us by phone at 608-850-6377 or email inquire@requirementsquest.com for more information.

Materials Provided Student Manual. Student Exercise Workbook. 8 x 11 Requirements Workshops Quick Reference.

Hands-On Exercises Introduce a workshop participant. Write a workshop purpose statement. Plan a workshop activity. Review Tools and Templates Handout. Practice writing on a flipchart. Identify problem people characteristics. Intervene problem situations.

Intended Audiences Business Analysts, System Analysts, Project Managers, Business Architects, Developers, and others who gather requirements.

Pre-requisites Attendance in the Requirements Modeling Made Easy course is recommended as students learn the steps to build 12 requirements models (deliverables). Knowing the steps to build a requirements deliverable is essential to applying a requirements workshop to create such deliverables. A general understanding of a requirements process and familiarity with requirements practices also will benefit the students.

Course Outline

1.5 hours

Is facilitating a workshop and leading a meeting the same thing?

Section 1: Defining a Requirements Workshop

Why are introductions important? Meeting characteristics. Workshop characteristics. What is facilitation? The role of Facilitator. Who is the International Association of Facilitators (IAF)?

Copyright2008-2010 Requirements Quest Requirements Workshops That Work (Facilitation) www.requirementsquest.com Course Outline, Page 3 608.850.6377 (B); 608.850.6387 (F)

3 hours

How do I plan the activities for the workshop?

Section 2: Preparing for the Workshop

Workshop purpose statement. Using a standard agenda. Begin the workshop. Anatomy of an activity. Close the workshop. What visual aids should I use?

1.5 hours

How do I make workshops work?

Section 3: Conducting the Workshop

5 Ps of team building. Workshop ground rules. 7 Successful setup habits. Flip chart skills Active listening skills.

2 hours

How do I handle people problems?

Section 4: Managing Problem People

What is intervention? The Golden Rule (progressive approach). Problem People characteristics. Keeping the session on track. Stopping side conversations. Staying on time. Never-ending discussion. Conflict: personal attacks. Conflict: group attacks. Returning late from breaks.

Requirements Quest is an IIBA Endorsed Education Provider. Visit www.theiiba.org.