Event Type: Business Analysis

Synopsis:
It seems the Agile buzz is everywhere lately.  Some of it sounds too good to be true, and some of it sounds downright scary. 
One key concern with Agile is how can you possibly accelerate writing requirements and still manage to be effective?  Without well-understood requirements you’ll likely either end up with chaos on the team or an inappropriate and useless solution that provides little to no value. 

The fundamental difference with Agile requirements is not necessarily in the amount of documentation created (although that is a contributing factor), it is much more in the timing, methods and approaches used when writing the details. 

Through lecture and nine hands-on exercises this workshop will provide a clearer understanding of the technical Agile practices, tools and techniques commonly used for writing quick, effective and appropriate requirements.  Through a cumulative scenario, this workshop will explore how effective Agile requirements can be written and refined just in time and appropriately fit for consumption by an Agile team. 

This hands-on workshop is geared for people that have an interest in, passion for, or a need to write requirements using Agile techniques.  This workshop will provide you with practical experience in: 
• setting expectations for writing Agile Requirements including the team engagement, the process, and the methods. 
• the structure and format of User Stories and Acceptance Criteria. 
• some common tools and techniques for crafting effective Agile Requirements, including the INVEST Model and Splitting Patterns. 
• key terminology and expectations for Agile Requirements. 
• several alternatives to User Stories and where they may be applicable. 

NOTE: Due to time constraints and a desire to focus the topic, teaching the Agile philosophy, frameworks and mindset will be out of scope for this workshop. 

Bio:

Jerry is an Enterprise Agile Strategist, Coach and Professional Trainer with over 25 years of hands-on experience in software and process development initiatives. He is currently facilitating public and private classes, and also serving as an Agile and Lean Consultant and Coach for several enterprise transformations.  His approach is to deliver support and advice to individuals and organizations on four key success pillars: cultivating in-house expertise and knowledge on Lean and Agile practices, defining enterprise transformation and change strategies, building coaching and training programs, and developing collaborative, long-lasting relationships between business and IT partners. 

Jerry is particularly interested in challenging and rewarding opportunities where teams are enthusiastically transitioning to Agile and Lean practices. His other interests include: continuous improvement techniques, organizational change management, team and individual coaching, mentoring dynamic teams that require the development of a collaborative environment, eXtreme Programming (XP) methods, Kanban, Lean, Lean Startup and Six Sigma. 

Primary Mandate 
Provide advice and guidance to leadership and delivery team members in the application of Agile and Lean approaches, and foster an environment of continuous improvement.  

Key Career Goals and Outcomes 
• To be an integral part of a successful, high-performing collaborative team that consistently delivers valuable solutions. 
• To help organizations and teams discover innovative ways to continuously improve and deliver value faster, and in doing so absolutely impress and delight their customers. 

This workshop will be limited to 25 attendees. 

Agenda:
9:15 AM - Coffee and Registration
9:30 AM - Workshop
12:00 PM - Lunch will be provided
1:00 PM - Workshop
4:00 PM - Workshop Ends 

Fees: Subject to HST
PMI SOC Members (login prior to registering) - $150
Non Members and Guests - $180

PDUs: 5.5 Technical Project Management

Parking: $4.50 Flat Rate http://www.senecacollege.ca/parking/visitor.htm

Cancellations must be received by 5:00 pm, 5 business days before the event and must be sent in writing by email to events@soc.pmi.on.ca. There will be a 20% administration fee charged for cancellations, subtracted from the refund. Cancellation/refund requests will not be accepted less than 5 business days before the event. However, substitutions are welcome. Please let us know by 12:00 noon the day before the event of the person you wish to substitute by emailingevents@soc.pmi.on.ca.