Featured Keynote Speakers for Professional Development Day 2018 at IIBA® Calgary Chapter

Brock Argue - Opening Keynote

Brock Argue takes a holistic approach to agility – recognizing that all aspects of the business benefit from the application of agile values and principles. His style of facilitation creates an environment in which high-performing organizations can emerge. Brock’s work includes agile transformations at Digital Oilfield, ADP and Benevity. As a member of two volunteer teams at the Scrum Alliance, Brock seeks to support the ongoing development of coaches as they seek to transform the world of work. Brock is a Certified Enterprise Coach℠ (CEC) and Certified Team Coach℠ (CTC) through the Scrum Alliance and has received professional coach training through ICAgile and CRR Global.
 
Brock provides coaching, mentoring and certification programs to individuals and organizations as the co-founder and coach at the Superheroes Academy:   https://superheroes.academy/

Presentation Title:  Business Agility: Leading In A Changing Marketplace
Presentation Abstract:  Organizations need to be flexible and nimble in order to compete in today's marketplace. They need to be efficient and effective, light-weight and disciplined.
This has never been more relevant in Alberta than it is today as the province emerges from the biggest recession we've ever seen; many have lost their jobs, businesses have failed.
As economic recovery takes hold, Alberta needs people who have the skills to enable organizations to create an environment of continuous improvement, provide constant delivery of value and exhibit a rigorous focus on efficiency.
Discover how the Business Analyst is well-positioned to contribute to the success of organizations by bringing these skills to work. Join us to hear how you can develop an agile mindset and share your new skills with the people and organizations you work with.
 

Paula Maychruk, B.V/TEd., CBAP, Cert. APM, PMI-ACP - Closing Keynote

A frequent speaker at Project Management and Business Analysis conferences and chapter events across Canada and the US, Paula has worked in the IT industry for the past 20+ years. She holds both the PMI Agile Certified Professional designation and the Certified Agil Project Manager designation from PMAC-AGPC, and has been actively involved in implementing Agile practices on projects since 2008.

Paula has held Board of Director positions with a variety of non-for-profit organizations including IIBA® Chapters in Regina, Waterloo and Calgary. Paula also served as a member of IIBA's Senior Leadership Team from 2009-2010. Paula is currently our IIBA® Calgary Chapter President.

Presentation Title:  Fight Night! Agile vs. Waterfall
Presentation Abstract:  There are more organizations struggling with Agile projects than those who are achieving success. Why? 
What fundamentals have we forgotten/discarded along the way? How has the Agile Manifesto turned the world of Project Delivery upside down, and why are so many teams experiencing such extreme challenges?
During this presentation, Paula will introduce several key concepts that will make or break the success of your Agile implementation. Sponsorship, Vision, Product Ownership and Culture are just a few of the things that will be covered in this humorous, yet objective look at what the software industry has collectively "thrown out with the bath water".

Learning Objectives:

1. Why good Sponsorship and a clear understanding of Project Vision are key to the success of any team, no matter the method of execution
2. Why Product Ownership in concert with Business Analysis is necessary to ensure a well defined set of Requirements and Success Criteria
3. Why EVERY Project requires regular Planning and dedicated Change Management to deliver a finished product and meet desired objectives