requirements workshop/facilitation

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Requirements Workshop/Facilitation

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Group Dynamics

While no one person can grasp the truth adequately,

we cannot all fail in the attempt. Each thinker makes

some statement about nature and as an individual

contributes little or nothing to the inquiry. But the

combination of all the conjectures results in something

big… It is only fair to be grateful not only those views

we can share, but also to those who have gone far

wrong in their guesses. They, too, have contributed

something.

Aristotle

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Requirements Workshop

A requirements workshop is a structured meeting in

which a carefully selected group of stakeholders

collaborate to define and or refine requirements under

the guidance of a skilled neutral facilitator

BABOK

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Facilitation

Facilitation comes from the Latin facile which is to make

easy

It’s the enabling of others to get where they need to go

It’s the structured approach to Effectively Mine Group

Knowledge

It is a combination of structured processes and subtle

nuances that result in successful gathering of information

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Facilitator

A person responsible for leading or coordinating the

work of a group. A facilitator is a......

Designer (workshop exercises)

Timekeeper

Analyzer

Mediator

Counselor

Negotiator

Summarizer

Is Not A.....Decision Maker

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Facilitator Skill/Knowledge

Requirements Workshop Structure

BA Techniques & Tools

Group Dynamics/Behavioral Skills

Basic Facilitation

Selling Skills

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Facilitator Skill/Aptitudes

Likes Working with People

Analytical

Enjoys the Stage

Quick Thinking

Patient

Organized

Willing to Let Others Make Decisions

Good Listener

High Energy

Closer

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Workshop Phases

Workshop/Project Objectives

Research

Preparation

Session Structuring

Participant Education & Preparation

Materials Preparation

Workshop Session

Post Workshop

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Workshop/Project Objectives

Clear Workshop Objectives

Sponsor/Participant Expectations

Identify Critical Success Factors

Define Session Deliverables

Build a Strawman

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Research

Review AS-IS

Gather Existing Artifacts

Prepare Preliminary Agenda

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Preparation

Session Structuring

Participant Education & Preparation

Materials Preparation

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Session Structuring

Number, Sequence , Schedule, Location of Session(s)

Identify Session Participants

Assign Sub-teams

Create Session Activities & Exercises

Create Data Gathering Templates

Establish Session Assumptions

Finalize Session Agenda

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Building the “Heart” of the Agenda

Design Workshop Activities & Exercises

Individual Structured Experiences

Building Blocks

Serially Oriented

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Facilitation Techniques/Exercise Types

Team Building

Deliverable Building

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Team Building- Behavioral Objective Categories

Build Group Dynamics

Stimulate Ideas

Energizing

Provide Focus

Support Decision Making

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Team Building

Build Group Dynamics

High Level Kick-Off

Team Identification

Overcoming Objectives & Conflicts

Problem Solving

Stimulate Ideas

Information Collecting

Group Focusing

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Team Building

Energizing

Solve Puzzles

Play Games

Provide Focus

Sub-teams

Strawman

Support Decision Making

Forced Field Analysis

Forced Pair Comparisons

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Deliverable Building

Methodology Driven

Objective Driven

Time Driven

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Session Workshop Agenda (Example)

Introductions

Review Session Assumptions

Preliminary Objectives

Team Building

Wilderness Survival

Objective Building

Education

Entity/Entity Life Histories

Coupling

Build ERD

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Template Example

Data Entity Form

Data Entity Name:________

Data Entity Definition:

Primary Keys: Start-Volume:_______

___________ Growth/yr:________

___________ Volatility/yr:________

Attributes:

___________ __________ __________

___________ __________ __________

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Participant Education & Preparation

Review Workshop Technique

Review Session Agenda & Objectives

Distribute Preparation Documents

Define Participants Roles & Responsibilities

Assign Preparation Activities

ID Critical Success Factors

Executive Sponsor Kick-off

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Post Session Activities

Validate Session Results

Finalize & Complete Deliverables

Integrate With Other Deliverables

Conduct Next Step Planning

Address Open Issues

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Failure Factors

Lack of Management Support

Musical Chairs Participation

Poor Deliverable Definition

Full-Time Attendance

Over Bearing Facilitator

Too Many Workshop Sessions

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Critical Success Factors

Management Support

Planning & Preparation

Facilitator Support

Full-Time Attendance

Get the Right People

All Participants are Equal

Off-site Location

Start on Time

Good Agenda