Forms Training
for
Forms Professionals
Table
of Contents
·
When are the Sessions offered?
·
Pricing
·
Refund and cancellation policy
·
Series and session descriptions
·
Schedule
· Questions? Suggestions? Contact Us
Forms
Training is a comprehensive course of study addressing the practicalities of
running a forms management program. It is designed for forms professionals,
created by forms professionals and sponsored by the Business Forms Management
Association (BFMA).
The session
offerings, created by Forms Training, are focused on the how-to rather than
general theoretical knowledge. Often,
there is homework to help you understand the principles being taught and that
will also help you apply the material to your forms management program.
Course series
include:
·
Understanding Your Business: Systems, Functions, Processes,
Procedures
·
Forms Projects and Reporting
·
Strategy, Structure & Staffing
Forms
Training was organized by Ray H. Killam, CFSP, CFC, Margaret Tassin, CFC, CFSP,
and Lisa Lee, CEBS, FLMI, under the banner of Essociates Group, Inc., a forms
management consulting company. The instructors are responsible for the session
materials.
BFMA and
Essociates Group have entered into an agreement designed to provide this comprehensive
training as a significant benefit for BFMA members. The program is marketed
jointly by BFMA and Essociates Group. All administrative activities are managed
by Essociates Group.
All sessions
are delivered online and require only a browser and access to the Internet. All
session materials are provided in advance of each session.
When are the sessions
offered?
Sessions are
offered in series and are scheduled throughout the year. Each session lasts approximately one hour.
See Schedule for details.
Registration
Note: Registration is currently open
for Series 1 and Series 2 only.
There are
four ways to register: online, email, fax and phone.
1.
Click
here to register online.
2.
Email
registration form to Forms Training
3.
Click
here to open, fill, print and mail, or
fax a registration form to:
Forms
Training
c/o
Essociates Group, Inc.
13305
W 126th Street
Overland
Park, KS 66213
Fax:
913-393-0152
4.
Telephone
913-284-6573 and register via phone.
We accept
Visa, Master Card and American Express cards. Upon registration, you will
receive an emailed invoice which is credit card enabled so your transaction is
secure.
Each student
is registered separately and is assigned a logon. Only one student per logon is
allowed.
There are fee
differences for BFMA members and non-members.
To obtain the member rate, you must be a BFMA member at the time you
register. If your membership expires
during the course of the series you are registered for, there is no change to
your rate. To join BFMA prior to registering, contact BFMA
Group
discounts are available.
For 3-5 registrants per session from
the same organization 10% discount
For 6+ registrants per session from
the same organization 15% discount
Contact us for any
special situations.
Pricing Schedule
(All prices are US Dollars)
|
Series
1 - No individual sessions allowed must take all sessions (except free
session for BFMA members) |
|
|
Session
1 - Understanding Your Business Introduction |
Free
to BFMA Members |
|
Series
1 Bundle BFMA Members (4 sessions) |
$395.00 |
|
Series
1 Bundle Non-Members (5 sessions) |
$695.00
* |
|
|
|
|
Series
2 May enroll in any combination of sessions) |
|
|
Session
201 Forms Administration Processes & Roles |
Free
to BFMA members |
|
Single
session price BFMA members |
$99.00 |
|
Single
session price Non-members |
$149.00 |
|
Bundle
5 any 5 sessions BFMA members Non-members |
$445.00 $695.00* |
|
Bundle
10 Sessions 2-11 BFMA Members Only |
$895.00 |
|
Bundle
11 All sessions - Non-Members only |
$1,449.00* |
*Includes
free BFMA membership, a $200 value
BFMA Membership and Coupon for Free BFMA Membership
BFMA members receive certain free
sessions as well as discounts for registrations.
Non-BFMA members who register for 5 or
more sessions within a 24 month period receive a coupon from Essociates Group
that is redeemable for a free, one-year membership in BFMA.
When non-members qualify for a free
membership, Essociates Group will issue a coupon via email to the qualifying
registrant. This coupon is non-transferable and expires 60 days after the issue
date. The coupon issue date will be the day after the first of the qualifying
enrolled sessions is completed. The coupon is redeemable when signing up as a
new member at www.BFMA.org.
Refund
and Cancellation Policy
Full refund,
less a 10% processing fee, is allowed within two business days before the first
scheduled session that you enroll for. After that date, no refunds are allowed,
although a designated replacement is acceptable.
Missed
sessions may be made up by arrangement with the instructor. Make up sessions are
generally delivered via an online recording of the session. The homework
assignment for the missed session is due three business days after completing
the missed session.
Ray H.
Killam, CFSP, CFC has worked in the forms and forms management industry since
1971 and has taught many classes on forms over the years for several
associations, including BFMA, IADT, Xplor International, ARMA and PSDA. Ray
founded Essociates Group as a full-service forms management consulting firm.
Visit www.essociatesgroup.com,
Meet Our Consultants, for additional information.
Margaret E.
Tassin, CFC, CFSP, is a forms management consultant. She has worked on both sides of the desk as an
outsource provider and an in-house forms manager. She has served on the Certified Forms
Consultant Accreditation Board and was a founding member and later president of
the Certified Form Systems Professional board.
She is a frequent speaker for BFMA and other associations. Margarets consulting firm is Forms Doc,
LLC. Visit www.essociatesgroup.com, Meet Our
Consultants, for additional information.
Series and Session
Descriptions
Series
1 Understanding Your
Business
The focus of the Understanding Your
Business Series is learning your business hierarchy and how this is useful to
Forms Management. This is a how-to series.
Each session has homework to help you apply the principles and methods
presented to your program as the series progresses. Understanding business
systems, functions, processes and procedures leads to a better understanding of
how and where forms are used within the organization. This helps Forms Management be a better
business partner to your clients.
Session 101 Understanding Your Business Introduction
This introductory session focuses on
the hierarchical nature and relationship of business systems, functions,
processes and procedures. Each level in
the hierarchy is defined and illustrated.
This session sets the stage for the next four sessions. Homework will help you understand these
levels within your own organization and identify processes within Forms
Management.
Session 102 Business Systems
An enterprise-wide forms management
program serves all departments and employees.
Accordingly, forms management personnel need to have a deep
understanding of the organizations structure.
This session provides methodologies for identifying all the business
systems (primary and support) within your organization, regardless of whether
your organization is for-profit, non-profit or government. This session
provides methodology for identifying all business systems within your
organization and identifying the source forms for each system. Homework will identify the business systems
within your organization.
Session 103 Business Functions
Identifying and understanding
business functions is necessary in order to associate forms to the functions
they support, which is the basis for effective forms development. This session provides methodology for identifying
all business functions within your organization which enables forms management
to associate forms to the functions they support. Homework will select two systems and identify all the functions within those systems
and the major software used within those functions.
Session 104 Business Processes
Gartner Group says 85% of business
processes start with a form. Process
maps help people understand work processes, which can lead to improved
processes and forms. This session presents different types of process maps, relates
maps to forms, and shows examples of maps used within Forms Management. Homework will identify the forms used within
the Forms Management processes.
Session
105 Procedures
Procedures help to assure consistent
performance, which is critical for an effective forms management program. This
session examines the different types of procedures and writing styles available
and provides information to help you write good procedures, when documentation
is justified. Homework will identify the
forms associated with each Forms Management procedure, and you will document
one procedure.
Series 2 Forms Administration
It takes a lot of effort and
specialized knowledge to administer a forms management program. This series
focuses on forms control and other administrative functions that are needed in
a Best Practices program. Each session provides practical how-to information
on specific activities and includes homework to help you apply the principles
to your program.
Session 201 Forms Administration Processes
and Roles
Consider the forms management processes that are not analysis
and design nor procurement nor production. What do you have left?
Forms administration! Forms administration is the heart of a well-run
forms management program.
This session starts with
an overview of the forms administration processes and the multiple roles
involved in these processes. It then focuses on two processes not covered
elsewhere in this series, specifically intra-company communication of forms
issues and form systems documentation. Homework will identify forms
administration processes in your organization.
Session
202 Form Identification
Every form needs to be uniquely
identified such that a user can access the specific container that they need.
These identifiers must be clear, easy to use, and very specific. Too often, all
the required identifiers are squeezed into the form number, using prefixes,
suffixes and other codes, creating a form number from Elm Street.
This session shows one way to build a
unique form identifier without creating a system that is likely to fail when
something major changes in your organization. It defines specific identifiers
such as form number, form title, edition date, versions and other
characteristics that can be used and defines and how these identifiers are
displayed and stored. Homework will examine your identification method and
opportunities for improvement.
Session
203 Form Files and Recordkeeping
Form files and recordkeeping need not
be complex! There are many kinds of files in the FM department. For example,
form history files contain the documentation for each form, and they function
as legal records. The forms database houses critical details. Project files
hold documents specific to an initiative. Learn about the types of forms
records kept, factors to consider in defining your organizations requirements
and policies, typical contents of files and the importance of procedures to
reliably record - and later be able to find - information. Homework will
identify your procedures, roles, and forms associated with form files and
recordkeeping.
Session
204 Leveraging Your Forms Data
Forms departments have
lots of records and collect lots of data. Although you organize that data
and turn it into information, there is so much more that you can do with
it. Persuade management? Find opportunities for forms
improvements? Save money? Populate your catalog? Automate
routine processes? Attend this class to expand your view of what you can
do with all the data that you collect about forms. Homework will help you
identify opportunities to leverage data in your forms program.
Session
205 Program Manual & Forms Style Guide
A best practices Forms Management
program needs to provide documentation on all processes used within the
department. In addition, it needs to document the specific standards and
conventions used during forms development in order to attain consistency and
reliability, as well as providing support for the organizations brand and
image.
This session discusses the
requirements for a comprehensive Program Manual and a Forms Style Guide, the
difference between the two, and proposes a specific methodology for their
development, deployment and maintenance. We also provide recommended Tables of
Contents. Homework will compare the documentation you already have to
recommended contents.
Session
206 Forms Action Request (Project Request)
The Forms Action Request is the starting point for most of the
incoming work to Forms Management. Creating this form provides the
opportunity to apply your expertise in assessing requirements and performing
process analysis to benefit your own department. Just as is true for your
customers, your form purpose and your processes drive the content of your
form. Learn the concepts that direct the Forms Action Request toward a
best practices model. Homework will identify opportunities to strengthen your
Forms Action Request.
Session
207 Proofreading and Copy Editing for Forms
Do your forms communicate exactly what
they are intended to communicate? Do they effectively request the information
needed? Do they professionally represent your organizations brand and avoid
faux pas? They do if they are well edited and proofread - error-free and ready
for prime time!
This session discusses copy editing
and proofreading for forms, including when, how, and by whom these activities
are performed during the form development process. Homework will identify your
procedures, roles, and forms associated with proofreading.
Session
208 Deployment Planning & Implementation
Users having trouble
finding your forms? Deployment, in the context of forms administration,
entails making forms easy to find. Proper deployment results in higher
levels of user satisfaction which leads to happy users. Learn how form
requirements drive the user points of access. Planning for deployment and
tracking actual deployment are different, and they require different data
elements in your database. Learn about the differences and what
information you should maintain. Homework will identify user points of access
in your organization.
Session
209 Forms Discontinuation
Obsolescence occurs in any dynamic
organization, and discontinuation is the process for retiring forms that are no
longer to be used. Actively managing the discontinuation process helps assure
that only currently valid forms are available and that records are updated.
Learn about the triggers to identify
obsolete form candidates and why it is important to understand the reason the
form is no longer needed. This session discusses developing your
discontinuation policy and procedures, and the roles involved. Homework will
identify your procedures, roles, and forms associated with discontinuation.
Session
210 Form Reviews
Forms are like small children. Leave
them alone long enough and they will get into trouble!
Over time, forms become less effective
as business processes change, management direction changes, and procedures are
modified officially or unofficially. Forms become inactive or obsolete, or just
dont work as efficiently as they once did. Therefore, the forms that support
these processes must be periodically reviewed and updated.
This session identifies the specific
events that trigger form reviews and a methodology for performing the reviews
when time and resources within Forms Management are limited. It also discusses
a methodology for automating the review process. Homework will identify your
procedures, roles, and forms associated with all types of reviews.
Session
211 Inventory and Warehouse Coordination
Does your organization maintain forms
inventory in a warehouse or stockroom? Do your users need to process
requisitions against this inventory? What is Forms Managements role in
managing and maintaining this inventory?
Most organizations maintain physical
inventory of forms. This session discusses the specific procedures used,
results expected, methodology for implementing inventory management and
control, and cost savings opportunities while working with warehouse personnel
and third party vendors. Homework will identify your
procedures, roles, and forms associated with inventory and warehouse
coordination.
Series 3 Forms Analysis and Design
It has been said that 80% of effective
forms design is in the analysis! Forms are more than mere data collection
tools. They are at the heart of virtually all business processes. They must
meet the requirements of the processes, data management, usability, and
efficiency. This series focuses on forms development requirements and
effectiveness.
Registration
Not Yet Available
The 10 sessions planned for this
series are under development. Planned topics (subject to change) include:
Session
301 - Forms Development Processes and Roles
Session 302 - Usability
and Customer Experience
Session 303 - Design
Analysis
Session 304 - Design
Principles
Session 305 Proofing
Session 306 - Mapping and
Programming
Session 307 - Testing for
Functionality
Session 308 - Error
Analysis
Session 309 - Implementing
Business Rules
Session 310 -
Specification Development
Series 4 Forms Projects and Reporting
This planned series will provide
solutions for managing forms projects, tracking all projects, collecting
metrics that measure success, and developing reports to various levels of
management.
Registration
Not Yet Available
The 5 sessions planned for this series
are under development. Planned topics (subject to change) include:
Session 401 - Metrics
Management
Session 402 - Management Reporting
Session 403 - Forms
Project Management: Framework
Session 404 - How to DO a
Forms Project
Session 405 - Form Project
Tracking
Series 5 Forms Management Database
All forms management programs must
collect, store, retrieve, and manage lots of data! There are data about each
form, about each form project, about each process, and more. This session
provides solutions to deal with all this data in a manner that promotes process
efficiency and cost management.
Registration
Not Yet Available
The 4 sessions planned for this series
are under development. Planned topics (subject to change) include:
Session 501 - Database
Principles
Session 502 - Requirements
and Design
Session 503 - Finding and
Refining Your Data
Session 504 -
Implementation Planning
Series 6 Strategy, Structure and Staffing
Do you have a forms management
strategy? Where should forms management report? What are the roles that need to
be staffed? How many people are needed? It all starts with developing a forms
management strategy! This series provides solutions for organizing the forms
management function within your organization.
Registration
Not Yet Available
The 5 sessions planned for this series
are under development. Planned topics (subject to change) include:
Session 601 - Developing
a Forms Policy Statement
Session 602 - Developing a
Forms Management Strategy
Session 603 - Developing
an eForms Strategy
Session 604 - Reporting
within the Organization
Session 605 - Roles,
Titles and Staffing Levels
Registration Not Yet Available
Future topics are under consideration
and your suggestions are welcome. Please let us know of any topics youd be
interested in taking.
Planned topics (subject to change)
include:
·
Implementing the Canadian Standard
·
Setting up a Translation Program
·
Signatures: Wet, Digital and Electronic
·
Forms Technologies
·
Branding Your Forms Management Program
·
Selling Your Forms Management Program
·
Conducting a Call for Forms
·
Contracting Out For Services
|
Date |
Time* |
Session No |
Session Title |
Instructor |
|
January 17, 2017 |
1:00 PM |
101 |
Understanding Your
Business Intro |
Tassin |
|
January 24, 2017 |
1:00 PM |
102 |
Business Systems |
Killam |
|
January 31, 2017 |
1:00 PM |
103 |
Business Functions |
Killam |
|
February 7, 2017 |
1:00 PM |
104 |
Business Processes |
Tassin |
|
February 14, 2017 |
1:00 PM |
105 |
Procedures |
Tassin |
|
February 21, 2017 |
1:00 PM |
201 |
Forms Administration
Processes and Roles |
Tassin |
|
February 28, 2017 |
1:00 PM |
202 |
Form Identification |
Killam |
|
March 7, 2017 |
1:00 PM |
203 |
Form Files &
Recordkeeping |
Killam |
|
March 14, 2017 |
1:00 PM |
204 |
Leveraging Your
Forms Data |
Tassin |
|
March 21, 2017 |
1:00 PM |
205 |
Program Manual &
Forms Style Guide |
Killam |
|
March 28, 2017 |
1:00 PM |
206 |
Forms Action Request
(Project Request) |
Tassin |
|
April 4, 2017 |
1:00 PM |
207 |
Proofreading & Copy
Editing for Forms |
Killam |
|
April 11, 2017 |
1:00 PM |
210 |
Forms Reviews |
Killam |
|
April 18, 2017 |
1:00 PM |
209 |
Forms
Discontinuation |
Tassin |
|
April 25, 2017 |
1:00 PM |
208 |
Deployment Planning
& Implementation |
Tassin |
|
May 2, 2017 |
|
|
Open BFMA Annual
Conference |
|
|
May 9, 2017 |
1:00 PM |
211 |
Inventory &
Warehouse Coordination |
Killam |
*All times are
Central Time
Questions? Suggestions? Contact Us
Forms
Training
c/o
Essociates Group, Inc.
13305 W 126th
Street
Overland
Park, KS 66213
Fax: 913-393-0152