Project Managing E-Learning: A Handbook for Successful Design, Delivery and Management

by McVay Lynch; Maggie

• ISBN13: 9780415772204
• ISBN10: 0415772206
• Format: Nonspecific Binding
• Copyright: 2007-07-17
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

Project Managing E-learning provides an essential framework, based on the globally accepted IPECC model, for planning, designing, delivering, managing and evaluating e-learning projects successfully. It focuses on practical, easy-to-understand methods and offers applications of project management principles in the real world. Illustrated by case studies of projects undertaken in business and academia it provides a step-by-step guide and highlights where projects typically fail. Each chapter begins with a definition and conceptualisation of the process, provides examples of how the process steps may vary dependent on organization or project size and discusses the typical problems organisations face when performing steps in the project management process. Covering all of the essentials as well as cutting-edge technology, it guides designers and managers through all stages of implementing and managing a project. Selected themes include: using focus groups gainingsponsors risk management pedagogical considerations testing quality control how to know when trouble is imminent PM software systems podcasting. The practical framework and sound advice offered in Project Managing E-learning is essential reading for all those who want to successfully implement and manage high quality e-learning in both academic and corporate training settings on time and to budget.

Table of Contents

â¼" SET UPForward â¼" Why we wrote this book. How to use this book

Philosophy and Principles

Definition and Goals of E-Learning and Its Environment

content dissemination vs. collaborative learning- mobile computing

Why E-learning Needs Project Management- 25?

Top 10? reasons E-Learning Projects Fail- 25?

Top 10? reasons E-Learning Projects Succeed- consistency of product and process

Typical E-learning Development Lifecycle without Project Management- request for course- assignment to department/division- either work with SME or put existing content on the web as is- course taught- revisions made

Brief Overview of Project Management Core Processes

Initiate- Plan- Execute- Control and monitor- Close

Blending Project Management Principles with E-Learning Goals

Why formalize an organic process?

â¼" Core Processes

Initiating- Needs Analysis and Defining and E-Learning Problem

Survey data- Using focus groups

Analyzing changing requirements- Defining Quality

Selecting an E-Learning Project- Identifying stakeholders

Gaining Sponsors- Develop Project Charter

The project charter authorizes the project- Purpose and Goals- Brainstorming- Scope- Develop Preliminary Project Scope Statement

Preliminary project scope statement is a high-level definition of the project

Planning- Project Management Plan

A substantial document with tabs or sections dedicated to the subplans below

Staffing Plan- Communication Plan- Quality Plan- Training Plan

Risk Management Plan- Resource Acquisition Plan

Requirements development (project definition)

Functional and Technical Requirements

Brainstorming instructional strategies

Determining hardware/software needs

Developing the blueprint

Work Breakdown Structure

Break the project output into deliverables (e.g., e-learning course prototype, e-learning course, participant documentation/help files, intallation/implementation documentation)

Activity definition/activity duration estimation

Activity sequencing (which comes first)

Project Estimating- Consulting time- Development time (and what to do when time is too long)

Needed resources (and what to do when resources are not avail)

Costing models (and what to do when it costs too much)

Delivery cycle planning- Determining Milestones/Timeline and deliverables

Usability study/pilot

Cycle Review Sessions- Picking the Right Things To Measure

Formative vs. summative evaluations of process/product

Long-term vs. short term

Critical success factors

Business productivity- Scope Planning

Needs Analysis and Defining an E-Learning Problem

Survey data- Using focus groups

Analyzing changing requirements

Defining quality

Selecting an E-Learning Project

Identifying stakeholders

Gaining sponsor(s)

Holding the project kickoff meeting

Determining Team Configurations

Internal vs external (or both) teams

The job of a project manager

Role definition (go over what the "job" is of each possible role: SME, ID, media spec. programmer, etc.)

Executing- Configuration management

Building the infrastructure- content management systems- standards compliance- course management systems

Component integration- Vendor/contractor selection and contracting

Prototyping (creating draft materials)

Course templates

Activity templates

Pedagogical considerations

Producing master materials

Role re-definition (how roles change as project matures)

Revision tracking/feedback- Testing

Delivering the final product/system

Deployment (reproduction and distribution)

Training product delivery staff (faculty, trainers, managers)

Building momentum for release

Monitoring and Control

Scope verification/control

Scope creep- Feature creep

Requirements management

Measuring quality

Tracking progress

Collaboration vs

Control- Managing client/stakeholder''s expectations

Formative Evaluation and Evolutionary Design

Monitoring and Evaluating/Re-evaluating Risks

Quality Control- copyrig

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