I just returned from facilitating a data model workshop. We’ve been working on this since January with three face-to-face workshops and interim teleconference workshops. It’s interesting that the client, who is very experienced with teleconferencing, felt that the face-to-face workshops were essential to the success of this effort. I agree. The teleconferences were beneficial and worked well in developing pieces of the model, but a model is very visual. Even with good Internet tools and the ability to view desktops, etc., the group needed to see the entire model (very large) and get up and move elements around – something you can’t do as well via a teleconference. So, while I support the use of teleconferences, and they work well when properly facilitated, there are still times when we need to get in a room together and work things out. It is still nice to connect with others by seeing them in person and chatting with them during breaks – face-to-face interaction is still key.
Data Modeling & Teleconferences
July 16th, 2010 by Gary Rush, CPFCommunity Outreach Award presented by Gary at IAF Conference
May 19th, 2010 by Gary Rush, CPFHello,
Here is a video of the Community Outreach Award that I presented to Gil Brenson-Lazan from South America. Gil has been a member of the IAF for many years and we’ve known each other since about 1995. This was a special award for Gil’s contributions. The award was accepted by Gil’s good friend and colleague, Lenny Diamond of Global Facilitators Service Corp (GFSC).
Ciao,
Gary
Data Modeling and IIBA
May 18th, 2010 by Gary Rush, CPFWell, the first week of May was busy. I spent two days in Miami facilitating a Data Modeling workshop. It was difficult but enjoyable. It’s always difficult because I find that Data Modeling really helps a business think through how they’ll manage their business – much more so than process modeling does. It forces the business to think through policies and scenarios more thoroughly. This one, in particular, was tough. It was the culmination of a 3-day workshop in January and two WebEx virtual workshops so the group was finishing the model. They are the type of participants who really think things through – which was great, but required a lot of pushing to get it done. What they ended up with was very good and well thought out. It is especially gratifying because the group had never worked with a Data Model before and was now fully engaged and supportive of the modeling technique. It’d be great if groups took this kind of ownership.
After facilitating the Data Modeling workshop for two days, I came home and then drove to Des Moines, Iowa to speak at an IIBA conference for the Central Iowa IIBA Chapter. I gave two presentations – one on Data Modeling (apparently a theme for the week) and a keynote presentation about why BA’s should be facilitative. The conference went well and was well managed. There were almost 200 attendees. I gave the Data Modeling presentation before lunch. It was well attended, the attendees enjoyed it, and I may have converted some to use Data Modeling more. My keynote presentation on why BA’s should be facilitative was at the end of the conference. It went very well and I think that we’ll see more BA’s using facilitative skills in the future. I have to thank the Central Iowa IIBA Chapter for putting on such an enjoyable conference.
IAF Conference in Chicago
April 28th, 2010 by Gary Rush, CPFHi,
Well, I spent last week at the IAF North America Conference in Chicago. It was a very busy week, but met a lot of people and accomplished a lot. It was also great to see people who I don’t get to see very often.
We had our board meeting on Monday and Saturday. It was a lot of work, but we managed to make some significant progress in transforming the association to position it for the future. I’ll add more as we make the information public.
I also had the opportunity to watch, participate, and facilitate in three “Fishbowl” sessions. This was a new concept this year – live action, real client, observed workshops.
Jo Nelson facilitated the Logan Square Neighborhood Association – 8 women from Logan Square in Chicago. They developed internal guidelines about how to conduct their meetings more effectively. It was interesting watching Jo – she has been facilitating for quite a number of years.
Gary Austin facilitated an “IAF Flipchart on the Future” – a workshop with 14 past and present board members developing ideas about how to make the association more relevant to organization who hire Facilitators. What made this special is that Gary was stuck in London because of the Iceland Volcano. He had to facilitate via Skype with Nadine Bell being his “avatar” in Chicago with Bernie Fredette and Tammy Adams being the mechanical parts to move the laptop so Gary could see and to hang flip charts. It went remarkably well – both the workshop and the last minute use of technology. It will become a pattern for future conferences. The ideas from the workshop were brought to the board and will be incorporated into our planning.
Then I facilitated the IIBA chapters from Wisconsin in developing a plan for their 2010 Business Analyst Development Day (WI BADD) in October. I had 15 participants (all business analysts) define the purpose, audience, expectations, tracks, and potential topics for the event. All this in 2 1/2 hours! It was quite a session and all enjoyed it. It was also the first time that my parents were able to watch me work. I also had Sean document and Alvaro and Millie watched with my parents – just a bit of pressure! I wouldn’t have missed it.
Well, off to continue working. By the way, if you have any old pictures you wish to share, please email them to me and I’ll post them on the blog 
.
Gary facilitating a Fishbowl Session
Gary's Family
Meeting People from the Past
March 18th, 2010 by Gary Rush, CPFHi,
I just finished a Business Analyst panel discussion. It went very well and I enjoyed it. What was really fun, though, was meeting up with people from the past. I saw Bruce Woerner who I trained while he was at AC Nielsen in 1997. It’s great to see people take what they have learned and continue to grow. Bruce told me that he still has his facilitation book and still uses it in his work.
I also ran into Steve Waller. I hired Steve when I was a manager at CNA in 1983. I hired him into the Development Center to be a Facilitator. I haven’t seen Steve since I left in 1984, so this was a great reunion. He’s doing well and I was able to catch up on the others from the group. Thanks, Steve.
I have to share a photo. I was on the panel with Brett Champlin. He knew me when I had a pony tail (long ago). He mentioned that I look more “professional” now. He was kind enough to share his photo from long ago – when he had long hair like I did (Brett is in the upper right). Thanks, Brett.
Brett and the Devil's Kitchen Band
My First Post
February 24th, 2010 by Gary Rush, CPFWelcome,
This is my first blog and my first blog entry. I’m going to post thoughts and ideas periodically about places I’ve traveled to, workshops that I’ve facilitated, and people who I’ve met. I invite all of you to comment and add to my posts.
So, welcome to my blog – enjoy. Let’s keep in touch.
Ciao,
Gary