We chatted about our class projects as well as a small group project relating to Chapter 1 in “The Design of Everyday Things” Kim said for to check the website and bring something to class which is designed for one purpose but doesn’t work very well!
The class really enjoyed a great presentation from Rod Dunican: “Project Management and Collaboration for Learning”
Clients of his include Chevron, Cisco, Gap, Nike, JD Power, GM, Citibank, Johnson & Johnson, and the University of Michigan, in addition to many others.
Types of work he’s completed include:
- Sexual harassment training
- Management/Executive workshops
- Year-long management immersion (for Nike)
- Train-the-trainer programs
- Change management initiatives
- Marketing program rollouts
- Software & Hardware training
- Soft skills, sales, and much more
The overall information Rod wanted to impress with us is that if you go into project management, “you can do anything” and “do work that you love to do!”
3Ps (in Project Management)
- Project
- Project Manager
- Project Management
What’s a Project? (Class discussed which of the following are projects and which would NOT be a project)
- Developing a Photoshop training course
- Maintaining a student learning portal
- Creating a customized database report
- Building a house
- Going bald
- Facilitating weekly project manager meeting
What’s a project anyway?
- A temporary endeavor to produce a unique product or outcome
- Defined as a set of tasks
- Defined timeframe
- Defined milestones
- Defined results
Why?
Almost all jobs are now project based! You need to deliver results on time and on budget. The project manager really is in charge. They’re the grease, the glue, the ring leader!
Project Management:
A systematic approach to managing a project or projects. Centered around:
- Scope/time/cost/resources/quality
- Leadership and team building
- Industry-standard tools and techniques
One of the more interesting aspects of this talk was a diagram he included about all of the various things a project manager needs to focus on and/or is responsible for including:
- Cost/quality
- Development/team goals
- Internal business needs
- Communication
- Client goals
- Desired project/planning results
Another interesting discussion was risks vs. problems:
- Risks are potential problems
- Problems need to be fixed
The team which a project manager works on/handles logistics for includes IDs, SMEs (subject matter experts), web designers/developers, solution architects (LMS), and clients/talent/other. Everyone brings their expertise to the table and collaboration is critical!
5 Phases in Project Management
- Initiate: sales, solution planning: who are the key stakeholders? Perform a needs assessment. Statement of work (SOW) (hours/pay/etc.)
- Plan: solutions, design: schedules, resources, kick-off meetings (project plan using perhaps Microsoft Project)
- See #4
- Monitor and Execute: solution development (The Work!). Includes status meetings, task updates, project change requests, issues and risk log, milestone sign off and documentation, QA testing, Alpha and Beta testing, and/or reporting project information to Finance
- Close: Celebrate your success. You’re done! It’s a good idea if possible to celebrate your success with the folks involved on the project.
(Remember to figure out who is going to sign off on a project!)
Network! It will help you find freelance projects and clients. Lots of people he went to school with are the same people who refer him for jobs. Other organizations include ASTD, ISPI, STC, and Toastmasters! These are some of the organizations which are great to be involved in.
Resources:
“Idiots Guide to Project Management”
“Five Phases of Project Management”
Salaries: Typically $80-$95 per hour, but remember you have to pay for your own insurance, as well as other coverage as needed.
Final Project Idea:
After some clarification from Kim, I think the final project which I’d like to work on is one she suggested, about creating curriculum about blogging and how it can be an effective Web 2.o tool. Kim said to follow up with her at our next class.
Hey David,
I missed class last week even though I signed in on Illuminate but couldn’t see or hear anything.
Your blog is so precise and simple to read. The video and links are helpful too. Your blog helped me alot understand the assigment due this week as well as the final project. See you class!