This is an interactive session - participants peel avocados using different tools & realize that 'paying enough time & diligence' at the time of requirements gathering, leads to creating the best possible system that customers actually wants to use. This session also illustrates 1). how 'Agile methodology's incremental delivery' is a better candidate for delivery product features to customers instead of the traditional waterfall, and 2) how 'well-documented system usage guide' is a 'must-have' for the effective use of the system by the customers.

1. Holy Guacamole
The Art of Helping Customers
Peel Their Avocados

2. Copyright RIIS LLC, 2015
This is more of an interactive session…
...than a typical “me talk more, and you listen less”
session!
So volunteers please! I can’t succeed without you!

3. Copyright RIIS LLC, 2015
Interactive Session Format
• 4 teams of (minimum 2, maximum 3 per team)
• Each team peels an avocado following instructions given to them
• Teams - share your experiences; any relevance to IT?
• Customer endorsements of tools used from Amazon
• What is your Takeaway ? Mine is...

4. Copyright RIIS LLC, 2015

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Avocado Peeling Instructions
Team 1:
1. Slice Avocado in half lengthwise (use the knife)
2. Press the knife into the pit, wiggle it and remove the pit
3. Use the knife to slice and spoon to scoop the slices out
Team 2:
1. Slice Avocado in half lengthwise (use the knife)
2. Press the knife into the pit, wiggle it and remove the pit
3. Position slicer over large end of avocado half. Insert slicer
into fruit and pull towards you, slicing through and
scooping fruit
Team 3:
1. Slice Avocado in half lengthwise
2. Place loop end around pit and remove
3. Position slicer over large end of avocado half. Insert slicer
into fruit and pull towards you, slicing through and
scooping fruit
Team 4:

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Despite what we keep seeing everyday…..
• That projects either totally fail or result in a half baked system for the
customers because we generally DON’T GIVE ENOUGH Time and Diligence
to the “Requirements Gathering phase”.
• Remember – Customers often don’t know how to articulate their needs
• Walk in their shoes, understand the WHAT before the HOW

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When your customer wants this..,

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Please don’t under-do!

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Or over-do it..!

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Try your BEST to stay closer to customer’s
original NEED(s)!

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Well begun is half done…(Aristotle?)
…at the beginning!
….....at the end!!
Vaguely begun is also half done...

12. Copyright RIIS LLC, 2015
Thank you for joining us today!
RIIS, llc operates at the intersection of technology and business delivering solutions to
accelerate your enterprise.
Our focus is on extending the power of your technology to the very edge of the network,
the human minds that rely it. We build secure solutions that take your applications to the
front lines and power new levels of productivity, engagement and business value.
From turn-key custom solutions and mobile applications to trained professionals to
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