Serial III - eLearning Project Management

In not so distant past, project management used to be a road that most of the instructional designers were required to travel if they hoped to grow in the industry. Last two years have seen many changes in the eLearning industry. An important change witnessed by our industry has been the recognition of instructional design as a discipline that requires specialized knowledge. This change came into focus when many eLearning companies separated project management and instructional design as two different growth paths; and recognized that the capabilities required for project management were different from those needed for instructional design.

It is to project management, the glamorized alternate path that many instructional designers hope to tread some day that we dedicate this new serial. Following the Wavelength tradition, we introduce the serial with an article “eLearning Project Management – A Different Ballgame”, which highlights the role of a project manager in the eLearning industry and suggests a short recipe for becoming a successful project manager.

eLearning Project Management - Episode III - February '06
(Other Episodes: Episode I - Dec '05 | Episode II - Jan '06 | Episode III - Feb '06 )

Welcome to the third and final episode of the serial "eLearning Project Management." This episode brings you links that will increase the effectiveness of this serial manifold. I hope that this serial will provide an information base to all green and gray (oops!) project managers, which will help them improvise the information in PMBoK to suit the eLearning project requirements.

1. First of all, here's an interesting pdf (which includes a small case to heighten interest - written in an instructionally sound manner) that will underline the dangers of using ISD as the basis of eLearning Project Management. It brings focus on the special challenges of ePM and suggests methods for taking control of the project, in light of the challenges highlighted. Click on http://www.allencomm.com/download/files/WhitePapers/eLearningPMWhitePaper.pdf to download the article "e-Management for e-Learning Projects." It suggest the model Track>Report>Review>Analyze>Approve for effectively managing e-Learning Projects.
   
   
2. Next click on http://www.trainingplace.com/building.htm to read the article, "Building a Strategic Plan for E-Learning." This article covers the complete process of building a strategic plan in terms of defining deliverables and determining how to go ahead with ISD. This link also provides you a list of other links that can help you in strategy building and planning for your eLearning projects.

I hope you found this serial useful. If you would like to send your views on topic for next serial, email me at shafali@vibrantwavelength.com.

eLearning Project Management - Episode II - January '06
(Other Episodes: Episode I - Dec '05 | Episode II - Jan '06 | Episode III - Feb '06 )

1. In continuance with the theme of this serial, here's a checklist for eLearning project managers. "CHECKLIST: Managing e-Learning Projects” by Kevin Kruse is a brief but clear list of what project managers should check when a new project lands on their backs! Well...if you got the pun, you are surely well read! Click on http://www.e-learningguru.com/articles/art6_8.htm to access this checklist.
   
   
2. Check out http://www.4pm.com/articles/pmtalk11-28-00.pdf to read the article "Recipe for: Creme de la Project Manager." This article first lists the raw ingredients that make a good wholesome project manager then goes on to describe the "garnishing"! Oops! The delicious aroma from the gourmet project manager dish has affected my ability to write! Let me fetch you another link before my instructional design abilities transform into culinary skills.
   
   
3. Managing eLearning projects that employ languages other than English can be a tough proposition. The article "Taking an E-Learning Project Across Borders" by Debbie Folaron, provides good tips on what you should and should not do, when faced with such a situation. Click on http://www.learningcircuits.org/2002/aug2002/folaron.html to read this article.
   
   

eLearning Project Management - Episode I - December '05
(Other Episodes: Episode I - Dec '05 | Episode II - Jan '06 | Episode III - Feb '06 )

If you are not a project manager and have not been one in past, I recommend that you read the above article before visiting the following links:

1. The article, "The e-Learning Project Team: Roles and Responsibilities" by Kevin Kruse, which can be found at http://www.e-learningguru.com/articles/art1_4.htm, is an article that everyone who dreams of becoming an eLearning project manager should read. This crisp and clear article will provide you a good idea of the structure of an eLearning project team and the responsibilities of each member of the team.
   
   
2. If you are an eLearning project manager, you've been there! You've experienced the raging fires of project deadlines, client conference calls, unavailable - sometimes available yet invisible team-members, SMAs in SME's clothing (Read "Subject Matter...Expertise?" at http://www.vibrantwavelength.com/sma.htm)...well! Here's an article "Bankruptcy-Proof Your E-Learning Project" by Darin Hartley, which you can read at http://www.learningcircuits.org/2001/dec2001/hartley.html. This article provides some tips to keep your project in control.
   
   
3. Visit http://www.plantolearn.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/edmedia_montreal_gw.ppt to view a PowerPoint presentation that lists the critical issues that come up in eLearning project management. The presentation introduces the concept of ePM (eLearning Project Management) and underlines the need to review the traditional PM models to incorporate the characteristics of ePM.