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Industry Events
PMI MN SIG
July 18 -
Minneapolis, MN
Presentation by Elizabeth Larson, PMP, CBAP. CSM
Topic: BA & PM: Is It One or Two roles?
IIBA Columbus BA Development Conference
July 22 -
Columbus, OH
Endnote Presentation by
Richard Larson, PMP, CBAP
Topic: Fantastic Voyage or the Impossible Dream? The BA as Management Consultant
IIBA SE WI
Chapter Meeting
July 26 -
Milwaukee, WI
Presentation by
Elizabeth Larson, PMP, CBAP, CSM
Topic: What is a Business Case and Who Should Define It? | |
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Creating Bulletproof Business Cases
by Richard Larson, PMP, CBAP and
Elizabeth Larson PMP, CBAP, CSM
Too often we've heard people tell us that their projects, which are intended to help the business solve its problems, continue to cause "pain" or fail to address the issues they were designed to solve. Projects are often justified or initiated by the need for a solution, and this usually means either no business case was created or an insufficient business case was created. Inadequate or non-existent business cases can result in unclear project scope. Building a "bulletproof" business case helps ensure that your project moves along smoothly and solves the problems that it was intended to solve.
Read Part 1 of a 5-part series for essential components of a business case. |
Webinar of Note
Project Manager and Business Analyst: Are They One or Two Roles?
Presented by Elizabeth Larson, PMP, CBAP, CSM
The question of whether or not one person can be both a project manager (PM) and a business analyst (BA) on the same project continues to draw attention. This webinar, first presented in late 2010, explores the pros and cons of separating these two important project roles and discusses some of the key issues that need to be considered when making the decision to combine them. Finally, it looks at how each role can function effectively on a variety of different kinds of projects, what the handoffs are, and how these two roles can work together to best meet project objectives.
This webinar and three others are now available on the Webinar Recordings page on the Watermark Learning website. To view the webinars you need to be a member of our learning network, requiring a quick, one-time registration.
View Webinar Recordings |
July 13 is Last Class for Current PMP Exam
The July 13 Project Management Professional (PMP®) Certification Preparation Class in Minneapolis will be Watermark Learning's last offering of this class for the current PMP Certification Exam. The last day to take the current exam is August 30, 2011.
The Project Management Institute (PMI®) will release the new exam on August 31, 2011. Candidates who would like to take the current version of the exam should schedule now to ensure obtaining a test date before the update.
The PMP® credential examination is being revised based on updates to the professional role of a PMP credential holder recently found by PMI's Role Delineation Study (RDS). Project managers pursuing the credential or preparing for the exam should be aware that approximately 30 percent of the PMP exam will change. Education and experience eligibility requirements for the PMP credential will not change, however.
Now is the time to register for Watermark's July 13 PMP Certification Prep Class. Click here to begin the registration process. |
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Enter Now for Your Chance to Win a Complimentary Registration to the July 26th IIBA Southeast WI Chapter Meeting!
Elizabeth Larson, CBAP, PMP, CSM will be presenting "What is a Business Case and Who Should Define It?" The meeting will be held in Milwaukee at the Medical College of Wisconsin. Watermark Learning is giving away 2 free registrations and the winner will be drawn July 1, 2011. Email darcy.mcquillan@watermarklearning.com to enter your name today! |
 Watermark Learning
19th Birthday
Scholarships
In honor of our 19th birthday this year, Watermark Learning is giving out 19 scholarship seats to our public classes the remainder of the year. Candidates must be currently in job transition and submit a short application. To enroll for consideration, please email your interest to marketinginfo@watermarklearning.com. Tell us how you would benefit by a Watermark Learning class and how it will help you land your next job. Contact us for further details and an application. |
Watermark CBAP Candidates Achieve Higher Exam Pass Rate!
As of this May, candidates for the CBAP® Exam who have used Watermark Learning online study materials achieve a significantly higher pass rate than those not using the materials. The Watermark CBAP Online Study Exam is specifically designed to increase a student's odds of passing, while also reducing exam anxiety and saving study time.
The exam is already used by people in 34 countries around the world, with recent candidates from such diverse nations as Germany, Korea, Latvia, Nigeria, Portugal, and Egypt. The exam's practice questions have proven to be one of the most effective techniques for helping pass the CBAP v2.0 exam.
Here are a few comments from those who have used the Online Study Exam to successfully prepare for and pass the CBAP Exam:
"I used your online training to effectively prepare and secure my CBAP designation. The drills made me focus on my weak areas and after several rounds of preparations, the actual CBAP exam seemed easier. Thanks again and great job!"
"I just want to let you know I passed the CBAP exam yesterday. Thank you for providing the online exams, it was certainly helpful!"
To find out more about Watermark's CBAP Online Study Exam, and to try a FREE exam demo, click here.
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Fifth Annual Project Summit and Business Analyst World Held in Minneapolis
The fifth annual Project Summit and BA World Symposium and Conference took place at the Minneapolis Marriott West June 13-16, 2011. The goal of the event was to provide Business Analysis and Project Management professionals with the resources and tools needed to clearly define and flawlessly execute their projects. Watermark Learning was a Silver Sponsor of the event.
Watermark Learning's Elizabeth Larson and Bob Prentiss were featured symposium presenters. On June 13, Bob Prentiss spoke on "Illicit Requirements: Developing Effective Strategies to Control Scope." "Partnering for Project Success: PM and BA Collaboration" was the subject of Elizabeth's presentation on June 14.
The two-day symposium was followed by two more days of conference workshops, presented by professional trainers. Congratulations are in order for the daily winners of Watermark's Requirements CBAP Certification Study Guide and our hourly winners of certificates for the CBAP Online Study Exam.
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Des Moines Hosts Annual Iowa Business Analyst Development Day
Watermark Learning was also a Silver Sponsor of I-BADD, held in Des Moines on May 13 2011. The event featured a full day of training and networking for Iowa Business Analysts. Bob Prentiss, Watermark's Client Solutions Director of Business Analysis was keynote speaker, and addressed the topic of "Driving Success by Finding the BA Leader in You!" |
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