Requirements Management: A Key to Project Success

3 Days – Course No. PM84

Target Audience:

Experienced and senior project managers.

Prerequisites:

None.

Learn How To:

▪          Apply a requirements management process to a project life cycle

▪          Use proper evaluation techniques to verify and gain agreement upon requirements and that meet specific business and technical objectives

▪          Identify formal and informal techniques to manage stakeholder relationships within the requirements management process

▪          Implement a change management process to control scope creep

Course Synopsis:

Requirements are the foundation of any project, yet the number of project failures attributed to inadequate requirements development and management is staggering. As projects progress, "scope creep" often occurs due to the inability to manage constant change. Customers’ needs and the project sponsor’s needs frequently seem to be at odds. How does the project manager cope with all the turmoil?

Requirements Management takes the experienced project manager beyond the basics of all aspects of requirements, from concept through closeout. Participants will learn up-to-date practices for requirements management, including proper selection of tools and techniques for specific types of projects. You’ll explore evaluation techniques to verify requirements early in the project life cycle so as to prevent costly rework downstream. Even with a solid process for managing requirements, fallout may still result from the battle between important project stakeholders. Participants will practice methods of effective relationship management and negotiation to ensure agreement on functional requirements.

An action-packed, integrated case study will provide experienced project managers, who already have experience with the basics of requirements management, the opportunity to practice new skills in a supportive learning environment. Participants responsible for all types of projects, from construction to new product development to information technology, will take home tools and techniques to put to immediate use.

Course Topics:

Requirements Factors Influencing Project Problems

The Project Requirements Process

▪          The project management and requirements management life cycles

▪          Steps in the requirements management process

▪          Fixed and evolving requirements

▪          Organizational standards

Stakeholder Assessment

▪          Identification and categorization

▪          Communication plan

▪          Risk factors

Reconciling Multiple Views

▪          Consideration of legal and market risks

▪          Relationship management process

Critical Success Factors

▪          Traceability matrix

▪          Global requirements mapping

▪          Test plan

▪          Requirements management standards

Requirements Definition

▪          Functional and technical requirements

▪          Identifying multiple views

▪          Global requirements

▪          Tools and techniques

▪          Documentation standards

Evaluation and Approval

▪          Selection of tools and techniques

▪          Requirement/prototype review

▪          Risk assessment

▪          Baseline documentation

Change Management

▪          Evaluate policy for project needs

▪          Establish business criteria for change control

▪          Select tools and techniques

▪          Success criteria

Validation of Project Outcomes

▪          Acceptance criteria

▪          Project test results

Closeout Procedures

Other Information:

PMBOK® Guide Knowledge Areas:

▪          Project Scope Management

▪          Project Quality Management

▪          Project Risk Management

▪          Project Communications Management

Professional Development Units (PDUs): 22.5