Collaborative Modeling In A Nutshell

Collaborative Modeling in a NutshellKent McDonald@beyondreqs

What

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Collaborative Modeling Techniques

Collaborative Modeling TechniquesTechnique Description

Data dictionary Agree on entities and their attributes as well as the definitions and specific characteristics of both.

Context diagram Understand the people, systems, or organizations impacted by a solution and the interfaces between those parties and the solution.

Logical data model Relative to a possible solution, understand the data that stakeholders want to know and remember and how that data is organized.

State transition diagram Understand the specific states a particular entity can be in and what causes the state to change.

Glossary Agree on key terms and their definitions.© 2015 Knowledge Bridge Partners 3

Collaborative Modeling Techniques

Collaborative Modeling TechniquesTechnique Description

Organizational Chart Understand the reporting relationships between people impacted by a solution.

Value Stream Map Identify opportunities for improvement in the operations of an organization.

Functional Decomposition Understand complex processes, systems, functional areas, or deliverables by breaking them down into their simpler constituent parts.

Process Flow Understand the specifics of a particular process for the purpose of identifying changes to implement a solution.

Wireframe Agree upon the nature of a user interface, including what information should be included.

Report Mockup Understand the information needs of stakeholders in order to help them answer questions or make decisions.

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When

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Define the Problem Space

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Define a Specific Solution

In order to provide feedback to submittersAs Reed the ReviewerI need to submit a review of a session

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Describe Aspects of a Solution

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When Techniques are Helpful

When Specific Techniques are helpfulTechnique Define the

Problem SpaceDefine a Specific Solution

Describe an Aspect of the Solution

Data dictionary X

Context diagram X X X

Logical data model

X X X

State transition diagram

X

Glossary X X© 2015 Knowledge Bridge Partners 9

When Techniques are Helpful

When Specific Techniques are helpfulTechnique Define the

Problem SpaceDefine a Specific Solution

Describe an Aspect of the Solution

Organization chart

X X X

Value stream map

X X

Functional decomposition

X X X

Process flow X X

Wireframe X X

Report Mockup X X© 2015 Knowledge Bridge Partners 10

Scenarios Scenarios when techniques are

helpfulWhen you are in this scenario… These techniques can be helpful

Your solution has a lot of interfaces with other systems or organizations

Context diagram

Your solution is fairly data intensive Context diagram; Logical data model; Data dictionary

You are looking to identify improvements in business processes

Value stream map; Process flow

Your solution is aiming to support decision making or analytics

Report mockup; Data dictionary; Logical data model

Your solution is fairly complicated Functional decomposition

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Why

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Shared Understandin

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Do you have a complete solution?

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Is the backlog more like a wish list?

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How

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1. Get the right people together

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2. Gather at a white board with lots of markers & sticky

notes

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3. Identify Acceptance Criteria

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Not Met Met

Assumptions identified

Initial process agreed upon

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4. Discuss and sketch the desired change

5. Stop when you meet acceptance criteria (or time

box)

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Not Met Met

Assumptions identified

Initial process agreed upon

6. Take a picture if you need to

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Collaborative Modeling Variations

Collaborative Modeling VariationsScenario Right People Suggested Acceptance

Criteria

Define the problem space

• Key stakeholders (those with decision-making authority, sponsors)

• Team

• Shared understanding of scope

• Org units impacted• Project objectives

Define a specific solution • Key SME• Decision makers• Team

• Agreed upon model of future state

• Backlog items

Describe specific aspects of a solution

• Impacted stakeholder• Testing perspective• Coding perspective

Models sufficient for describing the selected backlog item

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Caveats and Consideration

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Models used to define

solutions can also be used to describe the solution

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Collaborative modeling works best face to face

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Supplement discussions with visuals, even if virtual

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What did you find useful?

@beyondreqs, when I go back to work, I’m going to try…

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Questions?

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If you remember nothing else…1. Collaborative modeling helps you to define the problem, define solutions, and describe specific solution

2. Collaborative modeling helps you to build shared understanding

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Stay in Touch

Kent McDonaldkentjmcdonald@gmail.com

@beyondreqs

www.beyondrequirements.com

Slides available from:http://www.slideshare.net/kentjmcdonald

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