This two-day course provides a framework for planning and conducting workshops and interviews and includes "take away" interview and workshop planners. The course will equip participants with a tool kit of interviewing and workshop facilitation techniques. These are tempered with many hard won tips and tricks gleaned from years of practical experience. The course relies on a minimum of theory, emphasising group activities and role-playing as the appropriate way to learn.
At the end of the course, participants will find that their skills have improved and they are able to present a more confident and professional image during interviews and workshops.

• Business Analysts, Business System Analysts, Systems Analysts, Functional Analysts
• Software Engineers, Developers, Requirements Engineers, Requirements Analysts
• Systems Engineers, Electrical Engineers, Control Engineers, Mechanical Engineers, Human Factors Specialists
• Process Engineers, Software Engineers Process Group (SEPG) Staff, Methodologists, Process Improvement Staff
• Test Engineers, Testers, Quality Assurance Staff
• User, User REpresentatives, Stakeholders, Project Managers, Program Managers

• Develop interviewing and facilitation skills
• Build confidence conducting interviews and facilitating workshops
• Develop interpersonal skills

Introduction

An overview of information gathering techniques

• The layer systems model and information gathering
  • Objective
  • Structure - logistics
  • Structure - people
  • Relationships
  • Interactions
  • Personalities
  • Mood
• Techniques for gathering information
  • Interviewing
  • Workshop (JAD)
  • Prototyping
  • Questionnaires
  • Storyboarding
  • Role play
  • Data sampling
  • Direct observation
• The information gathering life cycle
  • Planning
  • Conducting
  • Analysing information
  • Providing feedback

Interviewing

• Strengths and weaknesses
• Stages
  • Preparation
  • Opening stage
  • Productive stage
  • Closing stage
  • Providing feedback
• Types of Question
  • Open questions
  • Closed questions
  • Mirror questions
  • Hypothetical questions
  • Probing questions
  • Leading questions
• Listening skills
  • Hear
  • Empathise
  • Analyse
  • Respond
• Interviewing planner
• Interview log

Workshops

• Strengths and weaknesses
• When?
• Where?
• Who?
• Sponsor
  • Facilitator
  • Scribe
  • Participants
  • Experts/observers
• Workshop planner
• Two aspects of groups
  • The purpose of the group
    • Goals and outcomes
    • Number of sessions
    • Agenda
    • Time
    • Place
  • Group dynamics
    • The way in which people relate and communicate
    • How group dynamics can block the achievement of group purpose
  • Anatomy of a workshop
  • The importance of a "warm up"
  • Roles of the facilitator
  • Facilitation skills
  • Running the workshop
  • Ground rules for workshops
  • Closing the workshop

Prototyping

• Strengths and weaknesses
• High vs low fidelity prototypes
• The propotyping life cycle

Questionnaires

• Strengths and weaknesses
• Designing and administering a questionnaire

Practical exercises

Review and conclusion

Payment must be paid in full at least 7 days prior to the start of the class. The payment can be made:

1. Cheque should be made payable to "Software Park Thailand#2"

Or

2. Account transfer to "Software Park Thailand #2" Saving account no. 324-2-56262-0, Siam Commercial Bank, Chaengwattana Branch. Then, fax the deposit slip to +66 2 583 2884.

Notes:

• Withholding tax (3%) is exempt.
• Should you need to withdraw, you must send the notice of the withdrawal in writing no later than 7 working days before the commencement date. The cancellation less than 7 days will be subject to a fine of 40% of the fee.
• Software Park Thailand reserves the rights to cancel courses due to unforeseen circumstances.

For more information, contact our course coordinator on:
Tel: +66-2583-9992 Ext. 1420 - 1421
Fax: +66-2583-2884
Email: poonporn@swpark.or.th
You are encouraged to use the course schedule as a guide to plan your training. The schedule is accessible at www.swpark.or.th for more information.