Remote Facilitation
Course Length: 1 day
DESCRIPTION
Remote facilitation with participants in various locations and potentially different countries, can add an additional level of complexity. This course provides proven approaches to ensure that all members are engaged so that requirements can be effectively obtained from the group, decisions made, and consensus obtained for the goals of the session. Remote facilitation requires even more planning than a traditional face to face workshop, and this course has actionable recommendations and job aides to make the session a success.
Students will practice remotely for more than 70% of the class time on real-world business case studies and role play each key role in a facilitated session so that they are comfortable to facilitate a workshop after class. The expert instructor/facilitator will ensure that the environment is a “safe” one to practice and provide personalized feedback as needed.
This course supports and expands on the techniques in the IIBA BABOK® and the ICAgile’s Agile Value Management track.
TARGET AUDIENCE
This course is designed for individuals gathering requirements gathering remotely. Students are expected to understand the role of business analysis.
PREREQUISITES
None
COURSE OUTLINE
INTRODUCTION
- Define requirements facilitation
- Review guidelines for requirements facilitators
- Explore techniques for facilitating across distance
- Student Workshop: Learn to address common virtual challenges (Instructor will demonstrate virtual requirements gathering techniques)
SESSION FEASIBILITY
- Review facilitation techniques and discuss virtual approaches. Students will be asked to pre-read sections and come prepared with questions.
- Brainstorming
- Consensus building
- Visualizing
- Flowcharting
- Storyboarding
- Discuss the use of ground rules, parking lots, and issue logs in virtual sessions
STUDENT WORKSHOP
- Plan and co-lead a session to teach and utilize various facilitation techniques as assigned by the instructor
- Personal feedback will be provided to drive skill development
PREPARING FOR A FACILITATED SESSION
- Prepare for a virtual session:
- Outline the goals and requirements deliverables
- Select session participants and determine if pre-session interviews are appropriate
- Prepare facilities and technology
- Student Workshop: Utilize the Session Plan Summary Template, Session Plan Template, and Session Agenda Template to plan and prepare for a facilitated session. May require additional time outside of class to prepare.
STUDENT WORKSHOP
- Conduct a 20 minute virtual requirements workshop using the plans developed in the prior student workshop
- Produce a requirements deliverable using one or more of the facilitation techniques learned in class
- Personal feedback will be provided to drive skill development
COURSE SUMMARY
- Student Workshop: Collaborate to identify “takeaways” from class
- Develop an Action Plan with next steps on the student’s current project