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Web Seminar Recap: Improved User Story Writing Techniques

Monday, October 1st, 2012

One of the most significant differences between Agile and Waterfall is the manner in which requirements are documented. As the Agile equivalent of requirements, user stories are brief requirements statements captured from an end-user’s perspective. They are not meant to capture all of the detail that is required to actually develop a feature; instead they are merely placeholders for a future conversation where the necessary details are documented right before the feature is built. And although very simple in format, it can take time and practice to write well-formed user stories that serves their intended purpose.

On Thursday, September 27th Steve Davis, Davisbase, presented the free 1-hour web seminar, Improved User Story Writing Techniques.  In this web seminar, Steve provided guidance on how to write more effective user stories that can be used on your Agile project.

You can listen to a complete recording of this presentation at aspeevents.webex.com. Select “View Event Recordings” in the top right corner.  You can also download the slides from this presentation by visiting our Web Seminar Archives.

Web Seminar Recap: Predictive Analytics & Data Mining: What Really Works and How to Get Started

Wednesday, September 19th, 2012

One of the fastest growing areas within BI — Predictive Analytics & Data Mining (PADM) –- provides substantial returns when implemented properly, as demonstrated in a wealth of case studies. PADM is being explored within these organizations as a way to improve their decision making processes, thereby increasing efficiency and minimizing risk.

On September 18th, ASPE Instructor Tony Rathburn presented this web seminar intended for stakeholders, functional managers and business practitioners in business, industry, government and academia, who have made substantial investments in data collection, storage, retrieval, visualization and basic analysis but may not have the technical or strategic experience necessary to chart an effective roadmap to uncover the valuable predictive insights hidden within their existing data. No prior knowledge is required.

You can listen to a complete recording of this presentation at aspeevents.webex.com. Select “View Event Recordings” in the top right corner.  You can also download the slides from this presentation by visiting our Web Seminar Archives.

Training Budgets Go Further When Its Hot!

Tuesday, June 5th, 2012

Are you currently making your summer plans? Maybe a drive down the coast with Jimmy Buffet blasting is in your future? Or will you be found sipping a Corona on the beach? Whatever your summer plans, ASPE wants to be included. Take advantage of our July and August specials and train with us this summer!

All companies need training from time to time. For some, training is an ongoing business function. For others, training fills a critical juncture during important projects or initiatives. But one thing is true for all companies: it’s important to get the best value for your training dollar.

Believe it or not, the summer months offer a great opportunity to get the most out of your training dollars. Because the business world slows down during the summer, several opportunities open up for anyone who needs training. While the slowdown can present a challenge, savvy folks can actually take advantage of it. Here’s how:

  • Your competition is sluggish during the summer slowdown. Get an edge going into Fall.
    Remember, all companies deal with the summer doldrums. Some make cutbacks or generate busy work to keep the gears turning until business picks back up. Naturally this creates a lag when business picks back up in the fall, because people lost their momentum filling time with busy work. It also dulls employee enthusiasm. You can gain a competitive advantage by maintaining a productive pace until the fall. Training your people is a perfect way to do it, since it builds enthusiasm and gives your people fresh new skills. By the time business begins to pick back up, those skills have really been mastered and integrated into the organization. You’ll enter the fall market with an edge, while your competitors are busy trying to shake off the lull of the summer blues.
  • When business is slow, employees have time to pick up new skills.
    With a decade of experience training all sectors of the corporate world, we’ve found that employee flexibility is at its peak during the summer months. When projects heat up later in the year, sometimes training can be more of a distraction or burden than an aid. But if your people experience a lag in their schedule, backfilling that time with new skills or certification training is a good move.
  • Training doesn’t just improve your people. It upgrades your business processes.
    A potential slowdown can offer an opportunity to upgrade processes, as well as employees. Employee training almost always goes hand in hand with adjustments (usually improvements) in business processes. If there is a new methodology to adopt or software to deploy, the summer months provide a good time to make the transition. Your busy time of year isn’t the best time for such a rollout. If you have a bit of summer flexibility, you can afford to upgrade without disrupting your business flow.
  • Virtual training allows you to train at any location.
    Many times the date or location of training conflicts with schedules. With virtual training you can keep your summer schedule and fit in training. It’s a win-win for you. ASPE can offer you Agile training as you lounge by the pool, or if you’re really ambitious, teach you how to be a SharePoint Power User while you’re on your Hawaiian cruise. Our virtual training goes anywhere you go. So take ASPE to the beach with you this summer!

You can currently save 24% on July and August sessions or 20% on other sessions if you book your upcoming training this summer. Learn more about how Training Budgets Go Further When It’s Hot!

Why Can’t I Get a CDU for Web Seminars?

Friday, April 29th, 2011

IIBA announced that Endorsed Education Providers (EEPs) will finally be allowed to provide CDUs for EEP-hosted web seminars. Considering every IIBA member I’ve met asks me whether ASPE web seminars provide a CDU for our one-hour educational sessions, and my response is, “We’re working on it,” it’s about time. However, there’s a lot involved, and a better process needs to be established. Click to continue »