Wednesday, September 5th, 2012
On Tuesday, September 4, 2012 Billie Johnson presented the web seminar, “Business Analyst Work Plan.” The one-hour web seminar covered the creation and utilization of work plans by Business Analyst in the requirements elicitation process.
As a business analyst, you are most likely highly organized, but without the planning tools and business analysis expectations; you may have the appearance of being disorganized in your plight to deliver effective requirements. If we do not pause to plan our work, it is as if you are trying to ride a bicycle before the wheels have been attached. You might be able to sit on the bike and think about where you want to go, but you won’t get anywhere at all. In a rush to provide a solution, the problem still might not be resolved because users are still unskilled. So the cycle of design a solution, find a problem, design a solution, and find a problem just continues, with everyone who is involved still unhappy and unproductive.
Most organizations have identified productivity as a strategic goal for all employees. Business analysts can contribute by developing their plans and working toward the plans. We are challenged to deliver with speed, increased productivity & efficiency, and to help deliver a competitive advantage. Management will most likely press to complete the analysis phase quicker than possible. The plans will provide you the ammunition to discuss the options to meet aggressive timelines. This web seminar will give you some hints and tips for producing key business analysis plans. If you are currently in the role of a business analyst, or interface with business analysts, then this webinar is for you.
Recording:
Listen to a recording of the Business Analyst Work Plan web seminar in its entirety by clicking View Event Recordings (at the top right).
Free Business Analysis Planning Template:
Download the free Business Analysis Planning template Billie mentioned during the web seminar.
Posted in ASPE-SDLC, Business Analysis, Free, Gathering Requirements, Giveaway, Requirements, Special Offers, Web Seminar, Web Seminar Recap, business analyst | Comments Off
Tuesday, June 19th, 2012
We realize there are a lot of options out there when it comes to training. We appreciate the fact that you chose us. To show our appreciation, we are offering all of our July and August online students the option to train additional people for only $595 per person.
We pride ourselves on our high-quality products, our desire to be your partner (not just vendor), the quality of our customer service, our classroom experience, and above all, the skills, tools, and techniques you bring back to the office. We understand that in today’s economy many employees are being asked to do more with less. This means that you are often overworked and taking on responsibilities that are not necessarily part of your job. An increasing number of our students are coming into our classes under the expectation that they will return to the office and then teach their new learned skills and knowledge to other team members and coworkers. Others return to the office with important projects or software deployment resting on their shoulders. We want to help relieve some of that burden.
Make it a team effort. You will receive more out of your training if you are able to discuss how to apply knowledge and skills to your unique situation. Having someone in training with you, whether it is a team member or coworker, can be a tremendous asset. You will be able to retain the information even better and therefore increase the real tangible value for your company. Together you can return to the office and drive changes needed to increase efficiency, deploy software, upgrade processes, and above all move your company forward.
For these reasons, all of our July and August online session attendees can bring additional people for just $595 per person.
To take advantage of this offer, please contact your training advisor or call 877-800-5221.
Posted in ASPE, ASPE-IT, ASPE-SDLC, Special Offers, Training, Virtual Training, teamwork | Comments Off
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!
Posted in ASPE, ASPE-IT, ASPE-SDLC, Agile, BA, Business Analysis, Business Process, Business Process Improvement, Business Requirements Training, Education, ITIL Training, Kanban, PMI-ACP, PMP, Project Management, Project Managers, SDLC, Scrum, Scrum Certification, SharePoint, SharePoint training, Software Development, Software Testing, Special Offers, VCL, certification, courses, e-Learning, live online courses | Comments Off
Tuesday, November 1st, 2011

If you haven’t tuned in over the past six months, you might have missed the fact that ASPE has been giving away Free Gas for an entire year! In the months of September, October and November, three lucky winners were chosen to receive a gas card worth $2,000. Imagine the possibilities if you didn’t have to purchase gas for your vehicle for an entire year. You could go on a family vacation, buy that gadget you’ve been wanting for so long, or even pay off your car. With the ever increasing price of gasoline, the possiblities are endless!
In September, Ann Elder of Portland, Oregon was chosen as our first winner. Ann was so surprised, she said she wouldn’t believe she actually won until she had the gas card in her hands. In October, Joy Toney of Memphis, TN was our second winner. Joy was so excited, she found herself at a loss for words. And here we are in November, meaning it’s time to pick the final Free Gas winner of 2011.
Congratulations to Michelle Mayhew of Kansas City!
Surrounded by her co-workers quietly working away, Michelle couldn’t exclaim her excitement quite so boisterously. She “shouted” in a whisper how awesome the prize was and how she couldn’t wait to use her gas card for the first time.
You may have missed out on Free Gas for a year, but don’t fret just yet. We have something equally as awesome hidden up our sleeve for 2012. Stay tuned – it won’t be long before you’ll get your chance to win!
Posted in Contest, Free, Free Gas, Giveaway, Special Offers, just for fun | Comments Off