Requirements Management: A Key to Project Success

Learn to manage constant change.

Course Overview

Requirements are the foundation of any project, yet the number of project failures attributed to the inability to manage change of requirements is staggering. As projects progress, ‘scope creep’ often occurs and customers’ and the project sponsor’s needs frequently seem to be at odds. How can the project manager cope with all these conflicting objectives?

Learn up-to-date practices for requirements management, from concept through to closeout – including proper selection of tools and techniques for specifi c types of projects. 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 there may still be clashes between important project stakeholders.

You will practice methods of effective relationship management and negotiation to ensure agreement on functional requirements. An integrated case study will provide project managers with the opportunity to practice new advanced skills in a supportive learning environment.

Course Topics

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1. Requirements Factors Influencing Project Problems
   1. Identify causes and symptoms of requirements problems
   2. Describe the impact of ineffective requirements on project success
2. The Project Requirements Process
   1. The project management and requirements management life cycles
   2. Steps in the requirements management process
   3. Fixed and evolving requirements
   4. Organisational standards
3. Stakeholder Assessment
   1. Identification and categorisation
   2. Relationship management
   3. Communication plan
   4. Risk factors
4. Requirements Identification
   1. Conducting a stakeholder analysis
   2. Identifying risks and mitigation strategies
5. Critical Success Factors
   1. Traceability matrix
   2. Global requirements mapping
   3. Test plan
   4. Requirements management standards
6. Requirements Derivation
   1. Functional and non-functional requirements
   2. Global requirements
   3. Identifying multiple views
   4. Tools and techniques
   5. Documentation standards
7. Evaluation and Approval
   1. Selection of tools and techniques
   2. Requirement/prototype review
   3. Risk assessment
   4. Baseline documentation
   5. Internal and external reviews
8. Change Management
   1. Evaluate policy for project needs
   2. Establish business criteria for change control
   3. Select tools and techniques
   4. Success criteria
9. Validation of Project Outcomes
   1. Acceptance criteria
   2. Project test results
10. Closeout Procedures
    1. Identify requirements documents that are necessary for project closeout
    2. Describe information available to the project manager for closeout
    3. Explain how to evaluate the effectiveness of the requirements management process for the project