Developing Project Management Skills

Welcome to my blog about Project Management for Instructional Designers!

Over the course of the next eight weeks, I will be developing a four part series based on the framework and standards of the Project Management Institute and the Project Management Body of Knowledge Guide as it applies to the ADDIE model of instructional systems design (Cox, 2009). 

The ADDIE model is an instructional system design that guides the creator through the five elements of analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation to create a learning program (Hodell, 2011).  Project Management is the leadership needed in the planning, organization and supervision of a project.  Combining the ADDIE model with the methodology of project management, instructional learning programs are developed within the constraints of scope, cost and time that meet the customer quality requirements (Haughey, n.d.). 

The process begins with analysis.  Analysis is used to determine the gap between what you want and what you have (Cox, 2009).  It includes gathering data about the testing population, current deficiencies, availability of resources, budgets, timeframe and assesses whether it is adequate for the project. 

Projects are temporary endeavors that address a specific need. They analyze a current situation and design, develop, and deliver as a solution or improvement. Within the process, goals, objectives, and critical success factors are detailed as well as the development of content, the confirmation of resources, the time constraints, and the determination of costs.  With a definite beginning and end, they are a bundled solution whose ongoing instruction solves a problem or makes improvements (Cox, 2009).   
 

Click here to view a You Tube video about Project Management.   It is hosted by Rita Mulcahy, an expert in advanced project management.  Her recommendation is to begin the process by asking all participants to define the project.  It is important that everyone knows what the final outcome is. 

Personal Reflection:

This is an amazing concept.  Taking the benefits of project management and applying those to instructional systems design.  I always thought of project management as an advanced concept only used in the fortune five hundred companies.  The benefits of providing a roadmap from inception to completion gives structure and organization for how the project gets from start to finish. Most importantly, it helps meet the goals and objects by outlining what needs to be done, how it will get done, what it will cost, who will do it, what resources are needed, and when it will be done.  These are very simple questions but missing anyone of the key steps can lead to an overrun of costs and time while not meeting the scope of the project.   All of which decrease satisfaction of the stakeholders.  As this blog continues to develop, information regarding how this can be achieved with project management will be given.  Concepts include:

1. Project management plan

2. Project development and implementation

3. Executing, monitoring, and controlling the quality of the project

4. Evaluating and closing a project

Cox, D. (2009). Project management skills for instructional designers. (1st ed.). Bloomington, IN: iUniverse.

Haughey, D. (n.d.). An introduction to project management. Retrieved from http://www.projectsmart.co.uk/introduction-to-project-management.htm

Hodell, C. (2011). Isd from the ground up. (3rd ed.). Chelsea, MI: Sheridan Books, Inc