New Horizons New Horizons Project Management Academy Project Management Academy Six Sigma Online Six Sigma Online Velopi Velopi Watermark Learning Watermark Learning
Educate 360
Educate 360  Educate 360

Watermark Learning Blog

Discover insights, tips, and articles from industry experts on leadership, business analysis, and professional development.

Agile Isn't Enough Part 4
Agile, Business Analysis, Watermark Learning

Why Agile Isn’t Enough, Part 4: Lean Startup Learn Phase and BA Techniques that Enhance It

In previous parts of this article, we covered an overview of Lean Startups and its Build-Measure-Learn (BML) methodology. We also explored the Build portion of the cycle, the first step in a Lean Startup. Another article examined the Measure phase of the methodology, which can provide the measures to learn if our product is on […]

Lessons Learned from Bhutan and Nepal
Agile, Business Analysis, Project Management, Watermark Learning

Lessons Learned From Bhutan And Nepal: Part 2 – Process Thoughts About Digital Transformation

In this age of digital transformations and the digital BA, data matters. Without data there would be no big data, no data mining, no machine learning or predictive analytics. No AI. Nothing digital to transform. So yes, we have to focus on data. But what about poor process, once the king of projects, now often

Project Managers and BA
Agile, Business Analysis, Project Management, Watermark Learning

Hey Project Managers: Got BA?

The tempo of change and level of uncertainty on many levels keeps organizations constantly having to strategize to sustain their customers’ interest and remain competitive. Similarly, project professionals have to strategize to keep their organizations’ interest in keeping them on board. It’s an effort that constantly requires learning new tools and developing new skills to

The AI Digital World
Agile, Business Analysis, Project Management, Watermark Learning

The AI (Digital) World: What’s It All About?

What does it mean to be a digital BA or digital PM? How is that related to artificial intelligence? What are the things you should be thinking about related to your value proposition for your projects and organizations in a digital world? Listen to Elizabeth Larson and Andrea Brockmeier explore these questions and more in this

Agile Isn't Enough Part 3
Agile, Business Analysis

Why Agile Isn’t Enough, Part 3: Lean Startup Measure Phase and BA Techniques that Enhance it

In previous parts of this article, we covered an overview of Lean Startups and its Build-Measure-Learn (BML) methodology. We also detailed the Build portion of the cycle, including the Minimum Viable Product and its importance to the Lean Startup approach. To summarize Lean Startup, the method was created by Eric Ries and detailed in his

Business Analysis Advisor
Agile, Business Analysis, Influencing and Consulting, Leadership, Project Management, Watermark Learning

Tyrion the Trusted Advisor: What Game of Thrones Teaches Us about Influencing Without Authority

I have always loved the Game of Thrones TV series. What has fascinated me the most is the treatment of the Trusted Advisor, beautifully portrayed by Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister. Tyrion embodies important ingredients of a trusted advisor who influences decision-makers, as we’ll see below (WARNING: some plot spoilers ahead). To influence without authority,

Agile, Business Analysis, Project Management, Watermark Learning

7 Habits of Highly Effective Thinkers

We all think, every minute of every waking hour. Thinking is an internal mental process that takes the data and information received through our senses and combines the new information into our existing store of learned information. This activity can lead to either the formation of new knowledge, modified knowledge, or be disregarded as irrelevant.

can the same person function as both project manager and business analyst
Agile, Business Analysis, Project Management, Small Business, Watermark Learning

Can the Same Person Function as a PM and BA on the Same Project or Agile Effort?

Ten years ago, I wrote an article entitled, Can the Same Person Function as a PM and BA on the Same Project? I wrote that we need to distinguish whether the same person “could” (sure they could, but with sometimes questionable results) and whether they “should.” I explained that it made complete sense to have one