Pamela Paterson
International Best-Selling Author, Business Systems Analyst, Project Manager
Ottawa, Canada
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Pamela Paterson, MS, CBAP, PMP, is a speaker, best-selling author, and senior tech consultant specializing in business systems analysis and project management. With a strong background in systems engineering and experience working with over 100 organizations, Pamela has delivered workshops, webinars, and presentations worldwide and authored 10 books, including two international best-sellers. Pamela has also taught project management for over ten years in Toronto, Canada. In 2023 and 2024, she stands out as one of the most active speakers on Sessionize. For more details, visit her LinkedIn profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamelapaterson/, or contact her at pamelatheba@gmail.com.
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Beyond Elicitation: Plan and Conduct Stakeholder Interviews Like a Pro
Everything we do on tech projects begins with elicitation. Most of our elicitation is conducted through stakeholder interviews, whether with a single stakeholder or a group. Knowing how to conduct an effective interview will enable us to gather the information and data we need to do our work. The more our stakeholders can trust in our skills, the more information they will contribute. We all know of excellent interviewers, but how do we do it ourselves? What kinds of questions do we ask, when, and for which stakeholders and scenarios? Are there certain question types that are better suited for individuals than for groups? At the same time, how do we accurately and efficiently document responses into useful artifacts? Join us to learn the answers from an expert in stakeholder interviewing.
Can be presented as a talk or workshop
Get Rid of the Waste! How to Boost Your Communication by Shrinking It
Have you ever sat in a meeting saying to yourself: "This could have been an email." And then we get the email… and it’s ten paragraphs long. In this session, we’ll tackle one of the biggest productivity drains in tech teams today: communication waste. Using best practices from Lean Six Sigma, we’ll explore how to strip away the fluff and get to the good stuff—so your messages land faster, clearer, and with real impact. You’ll learn how to write shorter, sharper content that actually gets read, create leaner documents without losing meaning, and run meetings that people want to attend (yes, really). Learn how to cut communication clutter, save time, and get better results—not by saying more, but by saying it better.
Can be presented as a talk or workshop
Present to Win: Strategies for Presenting to Stakeholders
Stakeholders have short attention spans for presentations — if you can't get your idea across in a few slides in a way they can absorb, they start multitasking and wondering when it will be over. In other words, you have lost them as an audience. Why does this matter? We need stakeholders' attention to secure buy-in, collaboration, and decisions. In this session, you'll learn top strategies to keep stakeholders engaged based on your own communication goals, get your point across, boost collaboration, and get better feedback based on principles in visual communication as well as learning and communication theory.
Can be presented as a talk or workshop
Elicitation and Stakeholder Management: Business Analysis Without Business Analysts
What happens when your software project doesn’t have a business analyst, but you still need business analysis done? In this session, you'll learn how to conduct stakeholder mapping, identify business needs, and elicit successfully to create any project artifact, including becoming knowledgeable in the best strategies to "translate" stakeholder elicitation results into usable information. You'll be ready to dive into business analysis and get a head start on business analysis planning and execution--without a business analyst on the project team.
Can be presented as a talk or workshop
How to Make Your Stakeholders Talk: Elicitation Techniques from Professional Interviewers
On tech projects, we rely on our stakeholders to provide information through our elicitation process. We cannot move our projects forward without them. But in a world where they are overloaded, disengaged, or shy, how do we encourage them to speak up? We use techniques from the experts. Professional interviewers know how to build rapport with new stakeholders, elicit information from those who are silent, and secure space for themselves even when stakeholders are busy. Interviewing and elicitation are not just soft skills; they are strategic capabilities. Learn techniques for eliciting timely, relevant stakeholder feedback; tools and practices to keep elicitation focused and on track; and methods to create a safe, open environment for honest communication.
Can be presented as a talk or workshop
The Hidden Cost of Ignoring Visual Information on Tech Projects
We waste significant time on projects due to poor communication and misunderstandings that arise from back-and-forth emails and endless meetings. What if there was a way to "ask once" and get what we need from stakeholders and team members? Learn how this is possible through the power of information design: the art and science of making complex information clear, accessible, and actionable. These techniques are not taught in traditional communication courses and borrow from design principles in usability and software design. Learn how you can get clarity out of complexity, faster decision-making, better stakeholder and team alignment, and reduced cognitive load by applying easy-to-use and powerful principles.
Can be presented as a talk or workshop
Why Stakeholder Management Fails Without Systems Thinking
This session explores how adopting a systems-thinking approach with stakeholders and team members can enhance your ability to manage complex technology projects by viewing people as interconnected, dynamic systems. You will be guided through practical techniques for identifying root causes, understanding relationships among components, and recognizing how changes in one area affect the entire stakeholder system. Through systems thinking, you will improve problem-solving, decision-making, and adaptability, leading to more effective project outcomes and enhanced collaboration and elicitation. This session is ideal for tech professionals seeking to enhance their strategic thinking and elicitation skills and to adopt a holistic, integrated approach to their work.
Can be presented as a talk or workshop
Mapping Stakeholder Chaos by Slicing and Dicing Stakeholders
Most project failures don’t come from bad solutions—they come from engaging the wrong stakeholders, in the wrong way, at the wrong time. In this session, you’ll learn how to understand stakeholders before you ever begin your elicitation using tools like the onion diagram, stakeholder mapping, and the influence–impact grid. Each reveals a different dimension of power, proximity, and impact—and when viewed together, they expose stakeholder dynamics that org charts never show. Through a systems-thinking lens, we’ll treat stakeholders as a living, interconnected system that shifts over time. By recognizing this system early, you’ll enter elicitation better prepared, anticipate resistance, ask more effective questions, and make better decisions in complex tech projects.
Can be presented as a talk or workshop
Don’t Throw Out the Documents! Just Make Them Lean and Mean
Nobody wants to read project documentation--we know this. But is it possible to create documentation that stakeholders *will* read? Yes, through applying systems thinking you can make your documents concise, purposeful, and easy to use. We’ll explore how to apply systems thinking concepts, from identifying a document's real purpose to designing it for clarity, efficiency, and long-term usability. Through practical strategies and examples, you’ll learn how to start documentation projects with clear intent and stakeholder alignment, use lean practices to strip away the waste, and maintain documents over time so they remain current, accurate, and trusted. Whether you’re writing user stories, technical guides, or project reports, you’ll walk away with a roadmap to create “lean and mean” documents—succinct, effective, and sustainable.
Can be presented as a talk or workshop
Control the Room: Nonverbal Hacks to Keep Stakeholders On Track
“The most important thing in communication is hearing what isn’t said.” – Peter Drucker.
In our fast-paced tech environments, we recognize that stakeholder elicitation can quickly spiral out of control, leading to feature creep, shifting priorities, dominant voices, and concerns that are overlooked or buried. What do we do when other stakeholders hold the authority and the job title? This session dives into the silent skillset we all need: nonverbal strategies to manage group dynamics and drive productive collaboration. You’ll learn how to refocus elicitation when it goes into rabbit holes, balance assertive voices with quieter ones, build credibility and presence through subtle cues, and influence decision-making without derailing trust or rapport. Join us to master the art of using nonverbal strategies to boost silent leadership.
Can be presented as a talk or workshop
Collaboration Is a Lie Without Trust: How to Actually Connect with Stakeholders
“He who wishes to secure the good of others has already secured his own.” – Confucius.
Stakeholders are far more likely to support your project when they feel a genuine connection with you. But how do you develop rapport when so many of us only have relationships through screens and never meet our stakeholders? And how do we do it authentically and honestly? Nobody likes a greasy, transactional salesperson, right? We need our stakeholders for the long haul. This session explores practical methods for building authentic rapport that leads to effective collaboration, shared ownership, and excellent outcomes.
Can be presented as a talk or workshop
Nuance Is Not Optional: Why Your Project Fails Without It
Quote: “There are no facts, only interpretations.” – Friedrich Nietzsche
In tech environments, nuance is a game-changer. A single word in a requirement, a subtle shift in tone during a review, or a moment of silence in a stakeholder session can make all the difference. Teams thrive on collaboration, but misinterpretation can derail velocity, trust, and outcomes. This session examines how subtle shifts in language, framing, and perception can impact team dynamics, stakeholder engagement, and project delivery success. Learn how to identify nuance and use it to create more effective phrasing, "asks", create psychological safety, and encourage better team collaboration.
Can be presented as a talk or workshop
Stakeholders Hate Questions—Here’s Why and How to Fix It
Quote: “The beginning of wisdom is to call things by their proper name.” – Confucius
In elicitation, *how* you ask a stakeholder a question is often more important than *what* you ask. A poorly framed request can trigger resistance, misalignment, or scope creep, whereas a well-structured request can foster clarity, buy-in, and efficient decisions. Learning the art of language sequencing can guide dialogue, shape decisions, and lead to better collaboration. This session guides you in structuring your communication to achieve maximum impact. You will learn to craft questions that facilitate information flow, identify and correct problematic phrasing, and apply structured patterns to improve stakeholder elicitation.
Can be presented as a talk or workshop
The Power of Consistency: Building Trust and Reliability with Stakeholders
Quote: “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” – Aristotle.
In tech projects, speed without clarity is chaos. Inconsistent elicitation, shifting communication styles, and unpredictable stakeholder interactions can erode trust and stall progress. It can also cause stakeholders to tire and disengage. But consistency—when applied deliberately—becomes a strategic asset. It builds psychological safety, strengthens stakeholder confidence, and accelerates decision-making. This session explores how you can use consistency to create alignment, reduce friction, and drive outcomes. Stakeholders crave consistency and reliability to create trust and engagement. Don't let your stakeholders check out because of the chaos of inconsistency. Join us to learn top strategies to keep their trust and engagement, and your project moving along.
Can be presented as a talk or workshop
The Art of the Polite Interruption: How to Redirect Stakeholders Without Losing Trust
Elicitation sessions with tech and business stakeholders don’t always stay focused. Stakeholders drift off-topic, go down tangents, or answer everything except the question asked; if we let this happen, we are wasting valuable project time. Wouldn't it be useful if we could interrupt our stakeholders professionally without damaging trust, rapport, or collaboration? This session explores practical verbal and non-verbal techniques for respectfully and professionally interrupting and guiding elicitation back on track. You’ll learn how to maintain clarity and momentum while ensuring stakeholders continue to feel heard, supported, and genuinely valued. Join us to learn the art of the seamless interruption that enables us to have more successful elicitation sessions.
Can be presented as a talk or workshop
PMThrive 2025
Gave session: Why Stakeholder Management Fails Without Systems Thinking
International Institute of Business Analysis (Sacramento)
Gave session: Collaboration is a Lie Without Trust: How to Actually Connect with Stakeholders
Project Management Institute (PMI) Update New York
Gave session: Enhancing IT Project Success Through Visual Information Design
Project Management Institute Kingston Symposium
Gave session: Make Your Stakeholders Talk: Techniques from Professional Interviewers
Project Management Institute Ottawa Valley Outaouais: Making Your Stakeholders Talk
Feedback from Organizers: "On behalf of the entire PMI OVOC team, I want to extend our sincerest thanks for delivering such an engaging and insightful session this morning on "How to Make Your Stakeholders Talk: Techniques from Professional Interviewers." Your presentation was incredibly practical and interactive, providing our members with valuable techniques they can immediately apply. The feedback we've already received has been overwhelmingly positive."
Nerdearla 2025 Sessionize Event
International Institute of Business Analysis Denmark
This session explores how artificial intelligence can assist us in the stakeholder requirements process. From identifying stakeholders and eliciting information to creating, reviewing, and approving requirements, Pamela Paterson demonstrates how AI can streamline and enhance each phase of business analysis.
AgilePrague
The Agile Prague Conference is the first agile conference in the heart of Europe. It’s a place where practitioners can share their insights, get inspired, and connect with others. Every year, we bring in experienced speakers from different areas to share their stories. Agile Prague Conference is creating a unique collaborative environment where participants not only listen to the speakers but are encouraged to approach them and have a conversation together.
IIBA Vancouver: Leveraging AI in the Stakeholder Requirement
International Institute of Business Analysis Vancouver: Leveraging AI in the Stakeholder Requirement Feedback:
"Very informative and helpful presentation"
"I enjoyed this presentation very much"
"Lots of great tips"
"I believe you are an inspiration"
"Fantastic session"
International Institute of Business Analysis BBC (Building Business Capability) Conference
Largest business analysis conference in the world. Presented a session on stakeholder interviewing.
Participant Comments:
"Fantastic speaker and content! Actionable and practical tips, even a seasoned pro like me learned something!"
"Speaker certainly knew her stuff. Kudos. I took away a few tidbits and reinforced a few others."
"Great information!"
"Expanded on ideas/concepts I already knew to expand. Great addition to my BA toolbox."
"Loved the modeling and examples given."
"Speaker was informative and engaging."
DDD Europe, EventCentric, Data Mesh Live - 2025 Sessionize Event
Update Conference Krakow 2025 Sessionize Event
European BA-Day
Gave sesssion: Leveraging AI in the Stakeholder Requirements Process
BA & Beyond
Gave session: Enhancing IT Project Success Through Effective Information Design
BA & Beyond 25 Sessionize Event
Business Analysis Live! Podcast
Special guest on the most prominent global business analysis podcast. Topic was "AI and Human Skills for Better Interviews".
https://www.youtube.com/live/48AiJvvVZLE?si=OAt7llSI7DnP4fmF
Bluegrass Business Analysis Conference (BBAC)
Gave online session: Remote Stakeholder Collaboration: Navigate Your Way to Success
ScanAgile25 Sessionize Event
International Institute of Business Analysis (Saskatchewan)
Webinar: Enhancing IT Project Success Through Effective Information Design
OBAC Business Analysis Summit
Review of Enhancing IT Project Success Through Effective Information Design:
I had the privilege of moderating a session where Pamela spoke on the topic of Information Design, and I must say, her expertise is truly exceptional. Pamela has a remarkable ability to break down complex concepts into actionable insights, making them not only easy to understand but also immediately applicable.
Her session was packed with practical tips on improving communication, emphasizing how to structure and present information effectively to drive better decision-making and project outcomes. What stood out most was her engaging delivery and her passion for empowering professionals to elevate their communication skills.
Pamela’s session left a lasting impression, and I can confidently say that anyone who has the opportunity to learn from her will walk away inspired and better equipped to succeed. She is a true thought leader in her field, and I highly recommend her for any speaking or consulting engagements.
DatafestAfrica 2024 Sessionize Event
International Institute of Business Analysis (Kentucky and North Carolina)
Beyond Q&A: Plan and Conduct Stakeholder Interviews Like a Pro webinar
2024 All Day DevOps Sessionize Event
Transforming Business Analysis with Journalistic Insights: Pamela Paterson Podcast
Transforming Business Analysis with Journalistic Insights: Pamela Paterson
In episode 37 of Blueprints for Success, we meet journalist-turned-business analyst Pamela as she discusses business analysts' role in AI, stakeholder interviewing, and job search strategies. She discusses her upcoming book on stakeholder interviewing, which uses journalistic methods to improve the process.
International Institute of Business Analysis Vancouver
Silence Stakeholders When Needed & Make Them Talk When It Matters Most
Nerdearla 2024 Sessionize Event
Domain-Driven Design Europe 2024 Sessionize Event
Newcrafts Paris 2024 Sessionize Event
Building Business Capability (International Institute of Business Analysis Global Conference)
Largest business analysis conference in the world. One of the highest-attended sessions at the conference. Standing room only.
Project Management Institute Ottawa
Cognitive Science Techniques to Improve Presentation Success
International Institute of Business Analysis Saskatchewan
Interviewing is a vital technique for business analysts to gather information from stakeholders. Whether it's a single stakeholder or a group, conducting intelligent interviews is key to obtaining the data needed for creating requirements and developing processes. The more stakeholders trust in this process, the more valuable information they contribute. This calls for intelligent interviewing skills that foster trust and collaboration. But how do we become excellent interviewers ourselves? What questions do we ask, and when and for whom? Join us to explore these questions and more with Pamela Paterson, CBAP, a seasoned business analyst and communications professional who specializes in preparing stakeholders for media interviews.
Project Management Institute (PMI Global)
Project managers know that effective stakeholder management is the cornerstone of project success. However, in our ever-evolving field, traditional approaches to stakeholder engagement may no longer suffice. Join us in this thought-provoking webinar where we'll delve into the intricacies of stakeholder interviews.
In this dynamic presentation, we will explore how stakeholder interviews, when done right, can transform your project management game. You'll gain insights into advanced techniques and strategies that extend beyond the usual Q&A sessions. Learn how to extract valuable perspectives, foster deeper connections, and unlock the full potential of your stakeholders’ expertise.
Pamela Paterson, MS, CBAP, PMP will draw from real-world experiences, offering practical advice and sharing impactful case studies that showcase the true potential of stakeholder interviews. Whether you're a seasoned project manager or just starting out, this webinar will provide you with a fresh perspective on stakeholder interviews.
Join us for an enlightening journey into the realm of stakeholder interviews and equip yourself with the knowledge and skills to reimagine your project management approach. Don't miss this opportunity to distinguish yourself in your profession and lead your projects with renewed confidence and success.
International Institute of Business Analysis (London)
Career Strategies to Beat the HR Bots
Project Management Institute Global Webinar
4500 registrants for this online webinar about stakeholder interviewing
Update Conference Prague
Session about interviewing stakeholders, and how to optimize the interview process to obtain good requirements.
Engaging Virtual Meetings Podcast
Where do virtual and hybrid conferences, like yours, go for engagement that will blow your attendees away? Pamela Paterson is interviewed by John Chen, one of the top 3 digital event strategists in the world.
Azure Back to School 2023 Sessionize Event
International Institute of Business Analysis (Global) Essential Communication Skills
About 1500 registered attendees for this global session about essential communication skills for successful stakeholder engagement.
DeveloperWeek Latin America 2023 Sessionize Event
Agile & Beyond 2023 Sessionize Event
George Brown College (Guest Speaker)
Guest speaker at George Brown College in Toronto regarding #1 international best-selling book Get the Job: Optimize Your Resume for the Online Job Search
International Institute of Business Analysis Global
Interviewing Stakeholders: How to Get the Most (and Best) Requirements. 850 registered attendees.
SQLBits 2023 - General Sessions Sessionize Event
Power BI Summit 2023 Sessionize Event
Update Conference Prague 2022 Sessionize Event
International Institute of Business Analysis (Kentucky)
Speaker re: elicitation and collaboration with stakeholders -- top strategies for success
dataMinds Connect 2022 Sessionize Event
Iowa Business Analysis Development Day (iBADD Conference)
Business analysis conference re: stakeholder management and collaboration, eliciting software requirements, and remote working strategies
International Institute of Business Analysis (London)
Keynote speaker: Where Do I Go From Here?
Business Analysis Magnified 2022 (Puerto Rico and Birmingham)
Keynote speaker for this annual conference
International Institute of Business Analysis (New Zealand)
Speaker re: best practices for requirements
International Institute of Business Analysis (Albany, New York)
Speaker re: requirements in a remote world
International Institute of Business Analysis (Ireland)
Speaker re: removing remote communication blockers and managing stakeholders in a remote environment
International Institute of Business Analysis (Hawaii)
Speaker: creating requirements during constant change
International Institute of Business Analysis (San Francisco Bay Area)
Speaker re: creating requirements in a remote world
Teammate Live Conference (Phoenix)
TeamMate Live connects you to industry thought leaders, TeamMate's deep-domain experts, and peers from your industry and similar organizations. In 2022, we'll be meeting in person in Scottsdale, Arizona. Join us and earn dozens of CPE credits while learning best practices and techniques that will drive efficiency in your day-to-day audit work.
International Institute of Business Analysis (Edmonton)
Speaker re: creating requirements in a remote world
International Institute of Business Analysis (North Carolina)
Topic: Dealing with Difficult Stakeholders
Annual Festival of Business Analysis (Australia)
Speaker re: creating requirements remotely
International Institute of Business Analysis (Philippines and Kentucky)
Speaker regarding requirements and remote working
Toastmasters International (Guest Speaker)
Guest speaker
Society for Technical Communication (Toronto)
Keynote speaker on several occasions for various topics
HRPA (Human Resources Professional Association) Seminar (Toronto)
Speaker for international best-seller Get the Job: Optimize Your Resume for the Online Job Search
IEEE Seminar (Toronto)
Speaker for international best-seller Get the Job: Optimize Your Resume for the Online Job Search
Cannexus 2015
Speaker providing information on international best-selling book, Get the Job: Optimize Your Resume for the Online Job Search
Editors Association of Canada National Annual Conference (Toronto)
Speaker for international best-seller Get the Job: Optimize Your Resume for the Online Job Search
SIPO Conference (Toronto)
Speaker for +300 attendees for SIPO (Spreading Ideas, Providing Opportunities)
SIPO Conference (Toronto)
Speaker for SIPO (Spreading Ideas, Providing Opportunities) along with other speakers such as Bob Proctor.
University of Guelph Interuniversity Day
Keynote speaker to career development specialists regarding best strategies for resume and career development
City of Toronto Professional Development Seminar
Speaker for international best-seller Get the Job: Optimize Your Resume for the Online Job Search
Toastmasters Annual Conference District 60 (Toronto)
Speaker for international best-seller Get the Job: Optimize Your Resume for the Online Job Search
Society for Technical Communication Conference (Rochester, New York)
Keynote speaker for international best-seller Get the Job: Optimize Your Resume for the Online Job Search
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