I'm not saying to relearn the multiplication table but to study the new teaching strategies that are being implemented in the classroom today. In today's blog, I want to examine what I have learned (in the past 2 weeks since I started the education program) about the new way teachers are teaching and how it will apply and address an issue many in the working world currently are struggling with right now: "How to engage stakeholders".
Facts:
Source: http://faethcoaching.com/it-project-failure-rates-facts-and-reasons/
While working as an Consulting Analyst, one question that constantly arise is "how do we best assist clients in their decision makings."
Many would agree that PowerPoint skills and presentation skills are key assets that many employers seeks in the hiring process. This is because for a project to succeed, the team needs to gain buy-in and support from the stakeholders, but far too often projects fail because stakeholders no longer see the value of the project after engaging in multiple 2-3 hours reviews and revision "stage gates" with no outcomes.
Facts:
- "According to an IBM study, only 40% of projects meet schedule, budget and quality goals. Further, they found that the biggest barriers to success are people factors."
- "One Canadian study actually stated: “Bad communications between parties are the cause of IT project failures in 57% of cases [that ]they studied.”
- "Geneca, a software development company, noted from its studies that ‘fuzzy business objectives, out-of-sync stakeholders and excessive rework mean that 75% of project participants lack confidence that their projects will succeed."
Source: http://faethcoaching.com/it-project-failure-rates-facts-and-reasons/
While working as an Consulting Analyst, one question that constantly arise is "how do we best assist clients in their decision makings."
Many would agree that PowerPoint skills and presentation skills are key assets that many employers seeks in the hiring process. This is because for a project to succeed, the team needs to gain buy-in and support from the stakeholders, but far too often projects fail because stakeholders no longer see the value of the project after engaging in multiple 2-3 hours reviews and revision "stage gates" with no outcomes.
In general, here's how a meeting would progress:
How kids are being taught today and how it apply in the working world:
Suggestions:
In conclusion, I hope that I can help equip our next generation kids with the skills to convince upper management that it is important to have an unlimited frozen yogurt machine in the lunchroom. :)
- Introduction
- State objective and why it matters from your PERSPECTIVE. (Obviously, it's because you need the project to continue to have a job)
- State findings
- State what you need from the stakeholders
- State next steps
How kids are being taught today and how it apply in the working world:
- Involvement in creating the rubric: Students are engaged in creating and formulating what and how they are assessed.
- How it apply: Engage your stakeholders in activities to outline the project objectives. Help and guide them, don't do it for them.
- Formal Assessments: Teachers are conducting informal assessments all the time in the class to assess student learning
- How it apply: Guide your stakeholders through activities and assess what they have to say while performing those activities, it might give you a better idea of their needs. Since you're addressing their needs, they will also be engaged to see the value of your work.
- Teacher as a facilitator: Teachers are no longer the answer key to all questions, students are encouraged to discuss with each other and look up resources for answers.
- How it apply:
- Stop being a presenter, be a facilitator
- Engage your stakeholders to talk
- Ask valuable questions to get them thinking
Suggestions:
- Presenters: Ditch the PowerPoint mentality, get your audience working. Make it INTERACTIVE!
- Stakeholder/ Reviewers: Don't be scared to get your hands dirty when asked. It may help the company save thousands or millions .
In conclusion, I hope that I can help equip our next generation kids with the skills to convince upper management that it is important to have an unlimited frozen yogurt machine in the lunchroom. :)