A View of a Prior Project Post – Mortem
In memory of Post – Mortem Project, I am reminded of two particular courses that I played the role of Project Manager. Albeit my team members thrust me into the role, I am happy that I was able to get my feet wet at a project management role. Our instructor preselected the core project team. The project objective was to develop a learning module based on a topic from a list of possible topics that all team members voted and agreed to pursue. The topic chosen was "Empathetic Listening for Conflict Resolution" (Wiki GTS2, 2011).
At first, I was frightened about being the project manager. However, researching case scenarios centered on Chicago Public Schools' peer-on-peer violence, which surpassed the national norm, convinced and motivated my commitment to take on the role. I wrote the case scenario's historical background and "Needs Analysis" (normative, comparative, and expressed needs analysis) as the first step of designing and developing the course (Morrison, Ross, Kalman, & Kemp, 2011). Other members of the team were able to start their parts of the design, development, implementation, and evaluation of ADDIE based on my needs assessment. .
Now, I know there are a number of theories, processes, and management skills the PM needs to manage, control, and monitor a project from beginning to end—effectively and with high quality. The following project activities were included in the project that contributed to its success:
I believe that the above activities led to the success of completing our learning module. The "Needs Analysis", historical background, and the purpose for training of our group was based on the literature gathered about violence in the Chicago Public School system.
Furthermore, I learned that it is very important to create and use a Wiki, email or an advanced technological communication tool, such as those used in the science of Project Management, which enable project team members to quickly communicate, collaborate, and coordinate work activities (Greer, 2010). By being constantly connected (to work asynchronously and sometimes synchronously via telephone), we were able to get the project done on time with high quality. In both instances I got my feet wet at project management.
References
Greer, M. (2010). The project management minimalist: Just enough PM to rock your projects! (Laureate custom ed.). Baltimore: Laureate Education, Inc.
Morrison, G., Ross, S., & Kemp, J. (2004). Designing effective instruction (4th ed.). New York: John Wiley and Sons.
Wiki GTS2. (2011). EIDT 6100: Instructional design and technology. Retrieved from https://eidt-6100-1-gts2.wikispaces.com/Home+and+Welcome+Page.
In memory of Post – Mortem Project, I am reminded of two particular courses that I played the role of Project Manager. Albeit my team members thrust me into the role, I am happy that I was able to get my feet wet at a project management role. Our instructor preselected the core project team. The project objective was to develop a learning module based on a topic from a list of possible topics that all team members voted and agreed to pursue. The topic chosen was "Empathetic Listening for Conflict Resolution" (Wiki GTS2, 2011).
At first, I was frightened about being the project manager. However, researching case scenarios centered on Chicago Public Schools' peer-on-peer violence, which surpassed the national norm, convinced and motivated my commitment to take on the role. I wrote the case scenario's historical background and "Needs Analysis" (normative, comparative, and expressed needs analysis) as the first step of designing and developing the course (Morrison, Ross, Kalman, & Kemp, 2011). Other members of the team were able to start their parts of the design, development, implementation, and evaluation of ADDIE based on my needs assessment. .
Now, I know there are a number of theories, processes, and management skills the PM needs to manage, control, and monitor a project from beginning to end—effectively and with high quality. The following project activities were included in the project that contributed to its success:
- Conducting a Needs Assessment first
- Communication -- consistent discussions and reminders using technology methods to direct and redirect focus using communication technologies: Wiki, email, and cell phone
I believe that the above activities led to the success of completing our learning module. The "Needs Analysis", historical background, and the purpose for training of our group was based on the literature gathered about violence in the Chicago Public School system.
Furthermore, I learned that it is very important to create and use a Wiki, email or an advanced technological communication tool, such as those used in the science of Project Management, which enable project team members to quickly communicate, collaborate, and coordinate work activities (Greer, 2010). By being constantly connected (to work asynchronously and sometimes synchronously via telephone), we were able to get the project done on time with high quality. In both instances I got my feet wet at project management.
References
Greer, M. (2010). The project management minimalist: Just enough PM to rock your projects! (Laureate custom ed.). Baltimore: Laureate Education, Inc.
Morrison, G., Ross, S., & Kemp, J. (2004). Designing effective instruction (4th ed.). New York: John Wiley and Sons.
Wiki GTS2. (2011). EIDT 6100: Instructional design and technology. Retrieved from https://eidt-6100-1-gts2.wikispaces.com/Home+and+Welcome+Page.
I recall the same type of project in a former course and I agree with you that it is “important to create use a WIKI, email or advanced technological communication tool.” Creating the Wiki allowed for some great communication/collaboration between the team members.
ReplyDeleteYou also spoke about the analysis phase of the ADDIE module for development of the project. I was also the same PM during the project. Without laying a solid background for the project in this step the future steps will not come together as easily.
I agree with you Gayle. But now that we are in this class it gets better. The only way we can create a WBS is to get aquainted with some of the real high tech communicative tools needed to collaborate will with project team members.
DeleteYes being a PM is very scary, but it sounds like you managed the role very well. Creating a wiki for collaboration is great advice! Are there any other PM skills or processes that you could have used (from this class) to help you doing these projects that would have made them more successful?
ReplyDeleteThat is correct. Yes, now that I am taking this class I learned there are tech tools we use for project management that works better than a wiki for collaboration. For example, I am using MatchWare, but may need to switch to Microsoft Project or Smart Draw. The one I will choose will depend upon my ability to learn in ins and outs of each application in time to do the project. Thanks for asking.
DeleteHi Travae,
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, I see you are from Minnesota and I just have to say "Go Vikings!". Our class took turns as project manager each week during that course and I must say that the group project had some very frustrating moments. First we tried to have our group discussion via the wiki, but because the format was different and some people had a hard time, we ended up using our group discussion post at Walden. It seems that group projects always seem to be the toughest part of distance learning. Having to wait until the last minute to start your portion because someone else was late getting you needed information was stressful on my time management.
On another note, a few of us started emailing directly and even calling on the phone, partially for a whining session, but mainly to decide how to go about finishing the project.
I think, as an ID, the communication part is key, but also the course design needs to be just about perfect for a group project to work.
Hi Tom,
DeleteAre you from Minnesota too? Yes, home of the Vikings! Our experiences are alike! How do you like the PM software? I am using Microsoft Project for the project to do the Work Breakdown Structure, Resource Allocation, task list activities, effort/duration table, and cost estimates based on that. Have you found a software tool yet? If not, I love the way Project helps to let you see where there are faults in the over allocation of resources and it will provide you suggestions for making corrections. You can download it free for 60 days; moreover, it provides you with video tutorials so you can learn how to use it. Check it out! I have also used SmartSheets too.