2019 - 09 - 08 - The Importance Project Management Skills

One of the key skillsets an instructional designer should have is solid project management skills. After all much of what we do as instructional designers is to manage projects and understanding what a project is and how to effectively manage a project can make a world of difference. Essentially a project is something that has a defined beginning and end so it's temporary in nature. A project also produces a unique product or service, such as a workshop or course. A project will have specific resources (usually people) assigned to the project. And finally, a project should have a set of approval criteria to formally end the project. There are also some specific steps that go into a successful project which may have different names where you are and may be more detailed if you follow the full PMBOK. 1. A project charter is created with a description of the project and its purpose. 2. Requirements are defined 3. Assumptions and constraints are defined 4. The project scope is documented 5. A Work Breakdown Structure is developed 6. Resources (often people) are assigned to the project 7. A schedule is developed 8. A budget is developed 9. A change management procedure is developed/adopted 10. The project's work is monitored and controlled. 11. When the work is done and the "product" is complete the project is formally closed and the product is formally accepted.