requirements gathering (reqts) Detail

Detailed Chronological Learning Goals  

Days 1 and 2 interactive tutorial with exercises:

1. Foundation, Scope, and Objectives:  Class introductions and class survey results, class outcomes; Cost of Quality homework assignment review; Quality project tradeoffs and definition of quality; typical project life cycle; foundation and reasoning for the course.

2. What we know about Requirements: questions, terms and definitions; basic requirements principles and typical confusions; causes of invalid requirements; roles; research report findings, and recommended executive course of action; impact of poor requirements, cultural impact; introduction to MPR model.

3. Process of definition and verification: workbench concept, workbench explosion; team skills, process model overview, and relation to MPR model.

4. Detailed requirements process model: Identify customer business needs, Analyze business requirements, Analyze implementation requirements, Resolve conflicts / trade-off, Verify requirements, Validate requirements.

Days 3 and 4 1/2 day skill building workshops:

5. Using the MPR Model (developed by The Quality Connection) (Mission - Process = Requirements) as a computation matrix to calculate both missing and unneeded requirements. This also assures that those requirements uncovered meet true business needs, at high, medium, and low levels. Automatic safeguards insure that detailed area work plans are consistent with the organization vision and mission. Techniques for navigating vertically within the organization structure are included.

6. Using the Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) Metamodelling technique to identify the 10 categories of vaguenesses in requirements capture in three areas (generalizations, deletions, and distortions). This additionally uncovers true business needs, in areas usually unknown to the customer from whom requirements are captured.

7. Detailed interviewing techniques, including: alternatives to direct questions; the RPIPR rapport-building model; a special note-taking structure for multiple interviews; real-world tips and techniques. Methods include ways of avoiding missing content, establishing comfort and honesty among players, pitfalls to avoid, and efficient time-condensing structures.

8. A special Active-Listening model including Demonstrated Understanding (DU) designed to increase comprehension and reduce note-taking in requirements capture. Misunderstandings are quickly identified and corrected, emotional matching is provided, and intense interest is demonstrated.  During this segment, all prior techniques are integrated and practiced with live organization requirements.