JB Weekly Digest (07-49)

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I know – this has been more of a “bi-weekly” digest of late. I’ll do better. In fact, I’ll be posting a few times this week on some of the measures I’ve taken to write more effective requirements. Novel concept, I know, but I think many may find it useful. That said, here are some links and commentary from my online meanderings for the past week.

Presentations

ONLINE PRESENTATIONS: 30+ Presentation & Slideshow Service – I was talking with one of my brothers the other day about the presentation application available through Google Docs. He was touting how easy it was to use, as well as the fact all you need to show the presentation is a Web browser. It seems that there are still a number of folks that don’t have PowerPoint, and even if you do, there is drama over e-mailing presentations, etc. etc. This post includes several other options – some with some pretty impressive features – for online presentations & slideshows.

Also on the topic of presentations, I found “Represent Your Company With Style – Presentation Tips for Executives” from Presentation Pointers to be a nice, quick reference as I was doing some research for recent presentations I’ve made. Below are some highlights.

• On being prepared:

Take the time to prepare an outline of your talk. If possible, write out your first and last sentences. These are the most important parts of your presentation, and you will deliver them best when you know them exactly.

• On being gracious:

Use the event as an opportunity to promote good will. Avoid complaints, criticism, or controversy. These will quickly alienate the audience and destroy your credibility. Instead, talk about what the audience wants to hear. Praise your host, honor the occasion, and compliment the audience. Radiate success and optimism.

• On using humor:

If you plan to use humor, be appropriate. Avoid making fun of anyone or anything that might offend people in your audience. Often, the only safe target of humor is yourself… The best types of humor are original stories that make a point. For example, you might tell about the time that you left your luggage in a hotel lobby, the struggles you encountered to retrieve it, and the outstanding service you received from the clerk who found it. Such a story also shows the value of great customer service.

Remaining on topic, you should also take a look at Executive Summary and Presentation Suggestions. Included there are some tips for the 10 minute presentation, tips for the executive summary, and a list of common mistakes relating to the two.

Humor

The Amazing Information Technology Title Generator! – Per the author: “Some time ago, I read an article about the ever-changing titles in IT and how they never seem to describe what any of us do. Well, after some thought, I decided that a random title generator was just what we needed to help us out.” Not happy with your current title? Go get yourself a new one. What does a “business analyst” do, anyway?

Short Cuts

• Over on the Seilevel blog, one submits that “[a] big challenge in requirements are today is that projects are often too big.”
• The IIBA has unveiled its draft definition of business analysis.

Business analysis is the set of tasks and techniques used to work as a liaison among stakeholders in order to understand the structure, policies, and operations of an organization, and recommend solutions that enable the organization to achieve its goals.

• Michael Flanagan shares “Ten ways to screw up your requirements.”
• Kupe over at B2TTraining argues that successful projects are all about teamwork;

When I look back at what made some projects challenged and others widely successful it came down to all team members doing what was needed to reach the goal regardless of their role.

• Craig Brown shares some ideas on how to speed up your meetings and keep them foused on the highest impact issues.