Project R.E.A.L. Live Simulation

Length:

In-person classes – 3 days

Overview: 

The Project R.E.A.L. Live Simulation course is a hands-on, realistic project experience guided by experienced Facilitators with extensive backgrounds in Project Management, Business Analysis and 20+ years in Corporate America. The R.E.A.L. part stands for Real Experience; Applied Learning.  Whether a Project Manager, Business Analyst, or both, you will expand on your previous experience in a robust, dynamic, and fast-paced environment.  You will experience the pitfalls, roadblocks, curveballs, successes, and celebrations that happen on every project as part of a working team in a lively and safe environment!

Why take part in Project R.E.A.L.?  It will teach you how to lead and make the tough decisions in moments of difficulty.  Each individual’s experience will be unique.  Each team will forge their own approach and path to success.  What happens when the sponsor changes the due date – will you make the right decision?  What happens when part of the project gets canceled – will you know what to do?  What happens when a resource is changed or lost – how will you cope?  What about that difficult stakeholder who changed the requirements – can you handle them?  These questions and much more will be both experienced and resolved in the Project R.E.A.L. workshop! 

You will take part in a full project life cycle playing multiple roles (PM, BA, QA, and Development),  utilizing multiple methodologies, developing project artifacts, and completing tasks and deliverables of a real project.

You will actually fill various project roles, carry out the related responsibilities, and experience first hand how they function in a project.  The workshop will prepare you to handle obstacles that can impede project success. You won’t just practice what you might do, you will experience it and actually do the work in an accelerated fashion.  This course will share real life success stories and failures that will help guide you through both the Project R.E.A.L. experience and back on the job.

Pre-requisites: 

Students are required to have met at least one of the following requirements to participate in Project R.E.A.L.:

  • 3+ years project experience as a Business Analyst
  • 3+ years project experience as a Project Manager
  • CBAP® or  CCBA® credential
  • PMP® or CAPM® credential
  • Masters Certificate in Project Management from Watermark Learning
  • Masters Certificate in Business Analysis from Watermark Learning

All participants must have a general understanding of various project approaches, project phases, project life cycles, and basic project templates.

Skill Level: Advanced

Audience:

Experienced Project Managers and Business Analysts.

CEUs: 2.1 ($75.00)

Format: 

This is a dynamic, hands-on workshop set in an experiential learning environment using a variety of techniques and tools including guided exercises, class discussions, team discussions, pointed breaks, and if warranted, lectures.  The instructor  will oversee and/or participate in all activities and phases of the learning experience. To help assimilate the experience fully, there is a mixture of basic project templates, example artifacts, case study materials, handouts, and a participant workbook for your reference.  Students will need to be prepared for the highest level of participation to get the most out of this course.

Content:

This workshop may encounter the following project approaches

  • Waterfall
  • Iterative
  • Agile

This workshop will progress through the following phases of a project (PMI definition)

  • Initiation
  • Planning
  • Executing
  • Monitoring
  • Closing

Participants may encounter the following activities and outputs (but not be limited to)

  • Determine Project Approach
  • Understanding the Business Problem
  • Understanding Purpose and Objectives
  • Determine Cost and Benefits of the Project
  • Conduct Risk Assessment
  • Define/Understand Project Scope
  • Conduct Project On-boarding
  • Present a Project Kickoff Meeting
  • Plan for Project
  • Identify Roles and Responsibilities
  • Capture Requirements (Business, Stakeholder, Functional, Non-functional, and Transition)
  • Assumptions & Constraints
  • Business Rules
  • Scenarios
  • Create Status Reports
  • Create Glossary
  • Develop Training Plan
  • Develop Test Plan
  • Conduct Informal and/or Formal Requirements Walkthroughs
  • Obtain Signoff
  • Handoff Requirements to Development & to Quality Assurance
  • Manage Change Requests
  • Conduct Post Project Review

Participants may encounter the following types of templates & models (but not be limited to)

  • Business Case
  • Project Charter
  • Stakeholder Analysis (RACI)
  • Project Plan
  • Test Plan
  • Training Plan
  • Work Breakdown Structure
  • Requirements Management Plan
  • Functional Decomposition
  • Communication Plan
  • Business Requirements Specification / Requirements Package
  • Traceability Matrix
  • Prototype
  • Use Case
  • Process Flow
  • Swim Lane
  • Context Flow
  • Test Case
  • Change Control

 This outline is subject to change.