Aligning Mental Models: A New Perspective on Scoping Information Technology Systems with Greg Busby, CIT, Cornell University and Principal, Busby Business Analysis

Attendees will receive 1 PDU for Technical Project Management

Many projects to implement information technology systems (ITS) do not deliver the expected functionality on time and within budget. By some estimates, this number is as high as 70%. One of the prime reasons a project is considered a failure is that the expectations of stakeholders are not met. Scoping models such as the context diagram, functional decomposition diagram, and use case diagram have long been used by business analysts to help define and align stakeholder expectations for ITS. The emerging field of Systems Thinking can improve these tools and help to align expectations and mental models, reducing the risk of project failure.

This talk was first delivered at the Cornell University Systems Thinking Symposium on Dec. 6, 2016

Greg Busby has designed, developed, evaluated, and implemented Information Technology (IT) Systems for over 30 years and has thought about thinking for even longer. His path has taken him through fast food, logistics, and health care to higher education. He served in various capacities as a developer, product manager, director of development, and senior consultant. He holds a Bachelor of Science from Cornell University.

For the past 10 years, Greg has concentrated on business analysis. He helped found the business analysis practice at Cornell and was the lead Business Analyst, serving as a BA on numerous IT projects and initiatives. He holds a CBAP® designation from the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA™), and was a panel member for BA Centers of Excellence at a recent IIBA national conference. Greg contributed a chapter to Business Analysis for Dummies (John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 2013) and teaches business analysis techniques as a Senior Trainer for B2T Training, a leading BA training firm.

Greg is completing his work for Cornell University and is currently principal in Busby Business Analysis, a consulting practice working with higher education, institutional and government clients. He lives on a farm in Freeville, NY with his wife Sandra and their 3 children.

Agenda:

5:15 - 5:45 p.m.	Registration/Networking
5:30 p.m.	Light Dinner Buffet
5:45 p.m.	Announcements/Introductions
6:00 - 7:00 p.m.	Program

 

TICKETS

 

$15.00 Member Ticket
$20.00 after 11:45 pm January 15
$10.00 Earlybird rate before January 10

$20.00 Non-member ticket
$25.00 after 11:45 pm January 15
$15.00 Earlybird rate before January 10