
Monday, 11 October 2010
RE: Writing Better Use Cases
From: Geri Schneider Winters
Dear Friend,
If you are working as a Business or System Analyst, you have probably been asked to write use cases for a project. If you are like many people, your company has not offered you much training. Maybe your boss asked you to buy a book and read up on it. You probably did not get any mentoring, so you struggled along as best you could on your own, asking questions of other people you knew who had at least some exposure to writing use cases.
How well did that work for you? In the pressure of project deadlines, how much time did you have to really learn what you needed to do?
Is the next project coming up for which you will need to write use cases? Are you ready to do that, or are you dreading the task, knowing you have never had the opportunity to really learn how to write use cases properly?
When I first started working with use cases back in 1995, there was no one to tell me any more than the most basic information about what use cases were. I had no one to tell me the tricks that make it easier, or how to know when my use cases were good.
I started writing use cases for projects and experimenting with them. I read what I could find on use cases, which was not much. I started teaching other people to work with use cases, and in 1997 I wrote the best-selling book - Applying Use Cases: A Practical Guide - to share what I knew with a wider audience.
Teaching other people and working on the book forced me to really think about what I was doing so I could explain it to someone else.
Over the years I have worked hard to develop a step-by-step system you can use to be quickly successul at writing good use cases for your projects. I have put it all together into a self-study package for you.
For those of you who have known me for years and have been asking about this package, you can buy right now!

You need to learn the same information in different ways to truly understand it. So I give you the information in different forms:
Reading the information is an important first step to understanding the concepts - so you get:
Hearing the information reinforces what you have read - so you get:
Another way of learning is to review someone else's work - so you get:
You have to practice any skill you want to master - so you get:
You need a coach to review your work, answer your questions, and refine your technique - so you get:
Ready to register? When I taught the class live in 2007 it was $495.
But you can get this self-study version now for just $97.

I realize some of you do not know me well. I have been in the software industry for over 20 years in a wide variety of roles. I alternate over the years between working on project teams, consulting, coaching, and training. I work as a BA, mentor and train BA's, and hire BA's for project teams. You can find out a lot about me through an online search, and I encourage you to do so. I do have a lot of experience, but even more important are the results my clients get from my work:
"Geri not only has the broad skill set, the deep knowledge of all aspects of software development and requirements, but she also combines these with a rare gift for communication with both business and highly technical audiences."
"I would recommend Geri and Wyyzzk for any requirements or development-related work. She really delivers value for your money and does what's needed to be successful. You can hardly ask for more."
Andrew Midkiff
You may be thinking that it is good that I have a lot of experience and am good at
my job, but can I teach?
"Geri's OOA/OOD/Rose class is by unanimous acclamation the best training experience we have ever had."
"Her practical tool-based knowledge is flawless, exceeded only by the depth and breadth of her theoretical understanding and insight. A great communicator to boot!"
Douglas Nash
My students from 2007 said this about my training:
"Your class has been very helpful and I am already putting things I have learned to good use."
"Thank you again for all your help!"
Jodi Wright
"And trust me, that's about the *only* thing that could've kept me outta your class."
"Just wanted to let you know I will not be on tomorrow's webinar session because.... ... I'll be in an interview for a BA position! Hooray!"
Karen Ciocchi
Ready to buy? The class is just $97. Click here for the shopping cart.

You get the most out of the class when you put in the time to listen to the material, read the notes, and practice the exercises. Inviting a friend to buy the class and study with you is another great way get more from the class. You will keep each other motivated, and by discussing the class with each other, you each learn more.
If you are not satisfied with the class within the first 30 days, send me an email and I will refund your purchase price. Of course I expect you to delete all the materials that you downloaded. But then if you are disatisfied, why would you keep them around?
I wish I had someone to guide me when I was learning to write use cases. It would not have taken me as long to learn to write really good use cases. Why do it the hard way? You can have guided study materials, homework, examples, MP3's, and coaching by email all in one package.
If you work on this a couple of hours a week, by the end of a month, you will be quickly and easily writing good use cases.
All that for just $97. Register today!


Looking forward to meeting you,

Geri Schneider Winters
Instructor, Mentor