inspire, transform, create + connect (itc+c) boot camp...

Inspire, Transform, Create + Connect (ITC+C)Boot Camp – Session I

For IT Competition Use Only.All Other Uses Prohibited Without Permission of IT Competition. 1

2015 ITC+C Boot CampSession I – Boot Camp Introduction

Prepared by: James B. Savitz

February 21, 2015

For IT Competition Use Only.All Other Uses Prohibited Without Permission of IT Competition.

Boot Camp Introduction

2015 ITC+C Boot Camp – Third Edition

Inspire, Transform, Create + Connect (ITC+C)For IT Competition Use Only

All Other Uses Prohibited Without Permission of IT Competition

Structure of Integrated ITC+C and WRCCDC Boot Camp8:30 am

9:05 am

9:15 am

9:50 am

10:45 am

11:40 am

11:50 am

12:30 pm

1:30 pm

10:00 am

10:55 am

1:40 pm

2:25 pm

2:40 pm

Boot Camp IntroductionPage 2




Session Contents

• Introduction

• What Is the IT Competition?

• Competition Scoring Breakdown

• What You Will Experience and Gain in Return

• Considerations with Team Formation

• Getting Help – Yes, It’s Permitted and A Best Practice







Introduction

• Brief History of the IT Competition

– Established in 1996 based on an idea by Dr. Tom Athey, CIS Instructor.– Only Business Case Competition for Undergraduate University Students.– Student Teams Solve Cases in 4 Subject Matter Areas.– Designed to Simulate Real World Concepts.

• Scope and Objectives of Boot Camp

– Provide Basic Orientation on IT Competition to Improve Outcomes.– Supplemental/Bootstrap Resource for Coaches/Advisors– Training is Tailored to IT Competition.– Not To Be Considered Comprehensive.– Use of the Information Presented in the ITC+C Boot Camp is Optional.





What is the IT Competition?

EnterCompetition

ReceiveCase

PrepareDeliverable

DevelopPresentation

Participate inCompetition

• Form Team

• Prepare andSubmitApplicationPackage

• Read andAnalyze Case

• PerformBackgroundResearch

• Identify ProjectApproach

• OutlineDeliverable

• Review andReviseDeliverable

• Q.C. Deliverable*

• SubmitDeliverable toIT Competition

• Due 2 WeeksAfter ReceivingCase.

• OutlinePresentation

• PreparePresentationDeck

• Edit and ReviseDeck

• Rehearse andCritiquePresentation*

• Prepare forCompetition

• AttendCompetition

• Obtain Judges’Debriefing

• Occurs 1 WeekAfter SubmittingDeliverable.

*ITC+C Boot Camp tools are provided to assist with completing these activities.





• 4 Major Categories:

– Deliverable– Oral Presentation– Professional Appearance– Ability to Sell

• Important to Remember:

– Like applying for a job, theresume gets you the interview.

– Oral interviews (presentation)gets you the job offer.

Understanding Scoring Breakdown

Presentation40%

ProfessionalAppearance

10%

Ability toSell10%

Deliverable40%

IT CompetitionApproximate Scoring Breakdown







Understanding Scoring Breakdown (Continued)

Scoring CategoryBusinessSystemsAnalysis

WebApplication

Development

ComputerForensics Telecom Design

Deliverable ConsultingServices

Working WebApplication

ForensicsExamination

Report

TelecommunicationsSystem Design

Oral Presentation Y Y Y Y

ProfessionalAppearance Y Y Y Y

Ability To Sell Y Innovative Credibility Y





What You Will Experience and Gain in Return

• What you will experience:

– Some stress and conflict similar to being a consultant:

» Balancing billable work requirements against sales activity.» Balancing your class work and job against IT Competition preparation.

– Drinking from the fire hose.

• What you will gain in return:

– Selling and Presentation Skills.– How to Deal with Uncertainty.– Experience you gain in the IT Competition can be cross-applied to your career.– The ultimate learning experience.





Considerations with Team Formation

• Team Membership Requirements:

– Good academic standing– Currently enrolled as a full-time student– Only one graduate level student permitted per team.

• Each Team Will Need the Following Skills:

– Research and Analysis– Technical Skills to Support Your Case’s Subject Matter– Writing and Editing (English Language)– Team Leadership/Project Management– Presentation Development and Delivery







Getting Help – Yes, It’s Permitted and A Best Practice

• Based on speaking with past IT Competition winners indicates either a coach wasactively involved or informally advised the team.

• Independent review and critique of consulting proposals and project deliverables isactively used by leading consulting firms to ensure quality and to minimize risk.

• Coaches/Advisors are encouraged to do the following:

– Provide review/feedback on all aspects of preparing for competition.– Act as a sounding board for ideas and approaches.

• Coaches/Advisors are not permitted to:

– Prepare deliverables or presentations for teams.– Advise teams in any way on the day of the IT Competition.– Participate as a judge in the IT Competition.

• Instructors and Alumni can be an excellent source for coaches/advisors.

– In order to be effective for the team, coaches/advisors should have prior exposureto the IT Competition.





Questions and AnswersQuestions and Answers

Inspire, Transform, Create + Connect(ITC+C) Boot Camp – Session II-A

1For IT Competition Use Only.All Other Uses Prohibited Without Permission of IT Competition.

2015 ITC+C Boot CampSession II-A – Subject Matter Breakout

Business Systems Analysis/Telecom Design


February 21, 2015


Business Systems Analysis/Telecom DesignPage 1




Session Contents

• Understanding Business Systems Analysis/Telecom Design Case Structure

• How To Approach the Case

• Preparing the Deliverable

• Tips for Deliverable Content





Understanding IT Competition (ITC) Case Structure

• The IT Competition Case is framed as a real world situation:

– Contains a background and problem statement and/or set of requirements.– Case scenarios are an amalgam of real life situations and behaviors.– Past year ITC Cases are available at www.calpolymissa.org/itc and then scroll

down to “View Past ITC Case Studies” at the bottom of the page.

• Each case will require a deliverable based on subject matter area:

– Business Systems Analysis – Consulting Services Proposal.

– Telecom Design – Telecommunications Systems Proposal.

• And just like real life there is no technically correct answer, design or approach:

– Or put another way, the correct answer/design/approach is the one that sells.







How to Approach The Case

• How the Case is Developed:

– Based on a current, popular subject/technology.– Discussion, collaboration and authoring.– Reviewed and test solved.

• When You Receive the Case Read It At Least 3 Times:

– First Read – You may feel scared, “I can’t solve this!”– Second Read – “This doesn’t look too bad.”– Third Read – “Aha! I think I have an idea as to how to solve.”

• Conduct Brainstorming Session of Ideas/Approaches with Team:

– Outline/Straw Man approach/deliverable.– Don’t be judgmental:

» Consider all ideas/approaches no matter how unusual or “out of the box”.





Preparing The Deliverable

• Follow recommended deliverable structure if presented in the case.

• Use Due Professional Care:

– Avoid the Three Unforgiveable Sins – It’s really important!:

» Repurposing Errors.» Math Errors.» Syntax and Grammatical Errors.

– Avoid The Unforgiveable Sins by using an independent review.

• Brevity is Golden:

– It may be more effective to write smaller amount of original content than to cutand paste off the shelf/web materials.

– An unnecessarily large amount of content can introduce errors and risk.

• Some deliverable components can be prepared before receiving the case:

– Team description/background (be creative, yet brief).– Individual team member biographies* – (1 paragraph).– Networking materials* (to be covered in Session IV).

*ITC+C Boot Camp materials are provided to assist with completing these activities.





Tips for Deliverable Content

• Dealing with uncertainty and incomplete information:

– To solve the case you may have to make some assumptions to act asplaceholders for missing information:

» Document and explain the assumptions and their basis.» Assumptions do not have to be accurate, they just represent a best guess

estimate.

- Two out of three outcomes are good.

• The deliverable is not a term paper:

– Footnotes and bibliography are not required.– Gives clients impression that consultant is using a textbook to advise and not their

own experiences.







Tips for Deliverable Content (Continued)

• Business Systems Analysis - Watch out for pre-determined outcomes:

– Review issues and requirements carefully to determine what information isrequired in proposal and what information will be determined by project outcomes.

– It is dangerous to indicate any kind of pre-determined project outcome for theclient!

» Client is under no obligation to pay consultant for their ideas in a proposaltherefore consultant is giving work away for free.

» Consultant does not have enough information/analysis to draw conclusionsand thus risks being identified as being incorrect in their conclusions.

• Telecom Design - Build adequate capacity/redundancy into design:

– Try to anticipate surprise peak volumes that can impact critical applications.– Remember, telecommunications is the Achilles Heel of IT.

• Use the ITC+C Boot Camp Deliverable Checklist:

– Includes prompts for information contained in this section.– Additional spaces for subject matter specific items.

Business Systems Analysis/Telecom Design





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Inspire, Transform, Create + Connect(ITC+C) Boot Camp – Session II-B


2015 ITC+C Boot CampSession II-B – Subject Matter Breakout

Computer Forensics Case

Prepared by: Brian Olson, EnCE, GREM

For ITC Competition Use Only.All Other Uses Prohibited Without Permission of ITC Competition.

Computer ForensicsPage 1


Inspire, Transform, Create + Connect (ITC+C)For ITC Competition Use Only

All Other Uses Prohibited Without Permission of ITC Competition

Session Contents

• Understanding Computer Forensics Case Structure

• Drafting a Computer Forensics Report

• The Computer Forensics Case Presentation

• Tips and Tools for Analysis





Understanding Computer Forensics Case Structure

The Computer Forensics Case is framed as a legal Request for Services inresponse to a civil and/or criminal matter requiring Digital Forensic to resolve.

• The request will include:

– An Overview of the Scenario– Provides information about the Requestor– Summary of the Evidence and Request– Final Deliverables include a Written Report and Presentation

Past year ITC Cases are available at www.calpolymissa.org/itc and thenscroll down to “View Past ITC Case Studies” at the bottom of the page.

• Teams will be Scored Upon:

– Recovery of Key Artifacts (Capture the Flag)– Demonstrating use of Technical Skills– Quality of Deliverables:

» Final Case Report Submission and Exhibits» Presentation on Day of ITC Event

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Drafting a Computer Forensics Report

Your Report Should Include these KeyAreas:

• Background / Nature of the Incident– Quick Description of the Incident– Team Members and Roles they played

• Request– A Summary of the Services Requested

• Summary of Findings– Synopsis of Findings– Keep this Simple– Supported Later in the Report

• Methodologies– Listing of Examination Tools

» List Hardware Used» List Software Used

– Description of Evidence– Chain of Custody information.– Evidence Validation and Verification.





Drafting a Computer Forensics Report (Continued)

• Analysis and Findings– Detailed Explanation of Analysis and Findings– Specifically Identify Source of Evidence– Include References to Exhibits– Define Technical Terminology

• Conclusion– Any Recommendations or Follow-Up Actions– Were any exceptions noted during the exam?– Disposition of all evidence and case materials

• Listing of Exhibits– A Summary of all Exhibits referenced in the

report• Tips for Your Report

– Consider your Audience» Be Sure Describe your Findings and

Methodology» Provide a Lay-Man’s definition for

Technical Terms– Keep your Report Concise and Factual– Do your Research!!





The Computer Forensics Case Presentation

• Presentation Format

– Team Introduction

– Case Overview & Request

– Methodologies & Analysis

– Findings

– Conclusion

• Presentation Should be Based on the Report

– Same Findings and Evidence As Your Report

• Presentation will be followed by a Q&A from the Judges

3







Tips and Tools for Analysis

• Analysis Tips– Remained Focus on Requested Objectives– Research / Experiment (Google is Your Friend!)– Use Timeline Analysis– Keep in Mind the Objective Criminal or Attacker

• Free / Open Source Tools– SANS SIFT Workstation (http://computer-forensics.sans.org/community/downloads)– Volatility Framework (https://code.google.com/p/volatility/)– Plaso aka Log2Timeline (https://github.com/log2timeline/plaso)– Event Log Explorer (http://www.eventlogxp.com/)– Microsoft Log Parser 2.2 (Search Microsoft.com)– Splunk (http://www.splunk.com)– RegRipper (https://github.com/keydet89)– Bulk Extractor (http://digitalcorpora.org/downloads/bulk_extractor/)

• Listing of More Forensic Tools– https://forensiccontrol.com/resources/free-software/

• Can’t Find the Right Tool? Write Your Own Scripts!! Python, EnCase EnScript, etc…






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Inspire, Transform, Create + Connect(ITC+C) Boot Camp – Session II-C


2015 ITC+C Boot CampSession II-C – Subject Matter Breakout

Web Application Development

Prepared by: Melody Ho

February 21, 2015

For ITC Competition Use Only.All Other Uses Prohibited Without Permission of ITC Competition.

Web Application DevelopmentPage 1




Session Contents

• Understanding the Web Application Development (WAD) Case Structure

• Review Recommended Sections of a Web Application Development Presentation

• Tips for Presentation Content





Understanding Web Application Development Case Structure

• The Web Application Development Case has the following components:

– Objective

– Requirements & Features

– Project Solution: Three-Tier Architecture

» Presentation Tier- Front-end/User Experience

» Application Tier- Logical tier of the data and functionalities

» Data Tier- Data management and access

2







Understanding the WAD Case Structure

• CASE OBJECTIVE

– Define the Purpose:

» Who is your audience?» Why is this application important?

– Solve a Problem:

» What is the problem that the Client is facing?» Where will this application be hosted?

– Achieve a Goal:

» How is this application going to solve the Client’s problem?» When does this application need to be completed?





Understanding the WAD Case Structure

• CASE REQUIREMENTS

– What are the necessary requirements?

» Write them down!

– What is missing?

» The Client is looking for your experience/knowledge.- Think of a requirement, they may not have thought of

– Define the technical functionality

» Write an application that works well and efficiently

– Organize from the most important to the least important

» You are limited time, be efficient to meet your requirements» Keep in mind how much you can do from beginning to finish» Make sure you achieve your primary goal

» Time management is essential!





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Understanding the WAD Case Structure: Project Solution

• THREE-TIERED ARCHITECTURE: Presentation Tier

– Front-end/User Experience» Is it useable?» Is the user interface understandable?






• THREE-TIERED ARCHITECTURE: Application Tier

– Content Information

» How is content being updated on the application?» Who is managing this? Is it automated or manual?

– Data Transfer Process

» Does the data need to be transformed or processed before putting theinformation into the data store?

» Is the application efficient in retrieving data?» How is the system performance?

– Under The Hood

» Can you explain how the application works with the back-end and with thefront end?

» Is your code clean and reusable?» How does the application function?

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• THREE-TIERED ARCHITECTURE: Data Tier

– Under The Hood

» Is there a redundant data storage?» What have you done to optimize data retrieval speed?» How does your data storage design meet large data sets?» How does the application function?

– Goal

» Does your data match on the front-end and the back-end?» Does your back-end meet the Client’s primary requirements?





Review Recommended Sections of the WAD Presentation

• Review your product application

– Double Check Your Work

» List completed requirements» Test all the functionality you claim as “completed”» List all “extra” functionalities that improve the application

– Unfinished Requirements

» Write-down what is missing» Prepare what the solution would have been, how you would have

incorporated this other requirement» Do NOT present excuses of why something was not finished





Review Recommended Sections of the WAD Presentation

• Delivering your presentation

– Opening Statement

» Memorable opener to the Judges» Suggestions:

- A statement about your team- Brief summary of what the case study is about and how you solved it.

(Keep in mind the judges know what the case is, but this reinforcesyour understanding of the case that you’re solving).

– Presenting Your Solution

» Explain your solution» Demonstrate your application» Present completed requirements» DON’T FORGET: How to manage the tool, User documentation, and Security» Summarize how you have a strong solution to meet the Client’s goal.

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Tips for Presentation Content

• Expect The Unexpected

– Have a back-up application

– If something isn’t working during your presentation, improvise

» Explain what’s supposed to happen then transition onto the next item

– Practice (with colleagues, teachers, mentors)

» Have them intentionally throw you off your game

• What do you know?

– The Judges, most likely don’t know you

» Clean slate, they don’t know you until you speak

» Instead of telling them your skill set, show them your skills and knowledge






1

Inspire, Transform, Create + Connect(ITC+C) Boot Camp – Session III


2015 ITC+C Boot CampSession III – Oral Presentation Information and Concepts


February 21, 2015


Oral Presentation Information and ConceptsPage 1




Session Contents

• Subject Matter Determines Presentation and Audience

• The Oral Presentation

– Oral Presentation Minimum Requirements– Developing Oral Presentation– Budgeting Presentation Time– Oral Presentation Delivery– Practice, Practice, Practice

• Preparing for Competition Day





Subject Matter Determines Presentation and Audience

• Be Aware of What is Being Presented and To Whom.

CaseSubject Matter Type of Presentation Audience

Business SystemsAnalysis Consulting Services Sales C-Level Executives (CIO, CFO, CEO, COO)

Web ApplicationDevelopment

Software Demonstrationand Design Pitch Software Development and Stakeholder Executives

Computer ForensicsExamination Findings,

Methodology andAttestation

HR Executives, Corporate Legal Counsel,Corporate Security Officer,

Law Enforcement/Prosecutors

Telecom Design TelecommunicationsSystem Design Sales

C-Level Executives (CIO, CTO, COO)Senior Architects

2







The Oral Presentation

• Except for the unforgiveable sins, a strong presentation trumps a weak deliverable.

• Oral Presentation Minimum Requirements:

– Presentation must be completed within 20 minutes.– Each team member must deliver part of the oral presentation:

» Presentation must be accomplished with a minimum of notes, no reading ofwritten script.

– Team members must be in formal business attire, just like a job interview, but witha few differences:

» Authority dress patterns, dark colors (preferably blues and greys) and ideallyteam leader should wear some stripes.

- Gentlemen – Tie color darker than shirt color (no gangster look).- Ladies – No floral prints or sweaters (looks administrative).- If the weather is hot, consider wearing light colored (white or yellow) shirts

to avoid sweat marks.





The Oral Presentation (Continued)

• Oral Presentation Structure:

– Cover Slide – Team Name, Client Name, Presentation Title and Date.– Presentation Contents/Agenda.– Content Slides (based on case subject matter).– Questions and Answers Slide.– Use basic PowerPoint (minimize graphics and animation).

• Developing Initial Version of Presentation:

– There are no shortcuts to a good presentation!

» No crutches or video content.» Minimize animations, spinning, etc.» Avoid depending on Internet connectivity (unless required for your case).

– Develop your presentation without considering number of slides or length:

» Get the presentation to tell the story and flow first.» Test run through to see how long the presentation lasts.

– Frequently the final version of your presentation may not resemble the first.






• Budgeting Presentation Time:

– First cut of presentation will probably be too long (how to right size):

» Rank importance of what you want to communicate.» It’s easier to cut down than to build up a presentation.» Remember you’re presenting a summarization of your deliverable.» Don’t worry about leaving information out:

- Judges can use questions to obtain additional information.- Providing additional information provides depth and drill down.

– General rule of thumb is an average of 3 minutes per slide:

» A 20 minute presentation will have approximately 6 to 7 content slides inaddition to the title, agenda/content and Q&A slides.

3








• Delivering the Presentation:

– Who runs the presentation?, The Judges or the Team?

– Recommended approach to leading and moderating the presentation:

» Presentation time can be saved by team leader introducing team while otherteam members do setup (you’re still off the clock).

» Team leader kicks-off presentation when ready instead of waiting for thejudges to tell you to begin.

» Upon conclusion of final content slide, team leader takes over, displays Q&Aslide and moderate judges Q&A.

– Responding to Judges’ questions (limited to 10 minutes):

» Questions should be distributed to different team members based on role.» Let each team member answer their own question.» Keep answers brief and focused on the question.» Think of a couple of questions to ask the judges in case time is available.






• Practice, Practice, Practice

– It’s very important to demonstrate confidence when presenting.– Be passionate about what you’re presenting.– Practice operating PowerPoint and switching windows if required.– Each team member should know the entire presentation.– Practice helps to avoid “deer in the headlights” and develops a conditioned

response in order to relax which allows you to think on your feet.– Practice your presentation in the clothes you will wear to the competition.– Use an audience to practice your presentation:

» Non-technical people work best and will show you where you might havecommunication problems.

» Remember, business executives are not technicians and you have to be ableto present a technical subject to non-technicians.

– Complete a Presentation Self-Evaluation Checklist after each practice*.

*ITC+C Boot Camp tool is provided to assist with completing this activity.





• Get a good night’s sleep and eatbreakfast so you’ll appear moreenergetic.

• Think through your part of thepresentation as well as the entirepresentation:

– Imagine your success instead offailure.

• Bring one printed copy of yourpresentation for each judge:

– Should be used for backuppurposes only.

– Avoid giving the judges any printedmaterial as it can be a distraction.

Preparing for Competition Day

Barak Obama reviewing his speech back stage prior toaccepting the Democratic Presidential Nomination in 2008.

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2015 ITC+C Boot CampOral Presentation

Self-Evaluation Checklist



Oral Presentation Component R Y G

Does the team leader introduce the project team while other teammembers set up the presentation?

Does the team leader transition to starting the presentation afterdetermining the rest of the project team is ready?

Does each team member have an assigned part of the oral presentation?

Has the team identified a couple of questions to ask the judges if time isavailable?

Are team members able to deliver their portion of the presentation withoutexcessive reading of notes or scripts?

Are team members maintaining eye contact with the judges during thepresentation?

Do team members appear confident when presenting?

Do all team members wear appropriate formal business attire whenpresenting?

Has the entire team conducted the presentation in the clothes they willwear to the IT Competition?

Does the team operate the presentation equipment and softwarecorrectly?

Upon conclusion of the final content slide does the team leader take overthe presentation and transitions to moderating questions and answerswith the judges?

Does the team leader distribute questions to individual team membersbased on project roles?

Does each of the team members answer their own question withoutassistance from other team members?

Has the team completed an oral presentation to a group of judges?

Does the team have at least 7 hard copies (plus one hard copy for eachteam member) of the presentation available for the judges in case ofpresentation equipment failure?

Scoring: Red – didn’t perform, Yellow – needs work, Green – completed successfully

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