Project Management Lessons

I’ve learned some valuable lessons this semester while working on my IMU. One that stands out is the concept of project management. Erik touched on this in an earlier post. I found myself at the mercy of several issues beyond my control. A particularly unexpected one was when the two instructors that were in charge of supplying the IMU’s content informed me, weeks after I had given them the projected timeline and schedule, “Oh by the way, we’re both going to be gone next week for the such and such conference. I guess we should have mentioned that earlier?” I’m rarely at a loss for words, so I’m pretty sure my full minute of silence confused them. LOL! It all managed to work out, but I’m pretty sure they found themselves hustling a little more during the last 3 weeks to get the remaining content to me. Their absence during that week was also a factor in the video scheduling issues, and they really did go out of their way to “make it right.” Although I did build some wiggle-room into the project’s schedule, I realize now that it wasn’t enough for the scope of this particular project. So, lessons learned include:

• Create timeline with major input from team members (insist that they consult their calendars! Full disclosure!)
• Secure professional videographer if at all possible (this was major content and the end result just wasn’t what I had hoped for)
• Realize that “stuff” happens. It did with my personal life – husband’s surgery this semester - so just roll with it and do the best you can with what you’ve got. And it’s okay to ask for help!
  
• Beware when someone starts a sentence with “Oh, by the way” or my most un-favorite of all time “Just so you know…” I think "Brace yourself" would work equally well in these instances. ;)
  

All things considered, I’m pleased with the end result of the IMU and so are the instructors. We all have ideas on some things we can improve, so we’ll be working on that during the summer.

On a personal note:
As the semester ends, I find myself in a semi-confused and slightly sad state wondering what in the world I’m going to do with myself next week when I have no lectures to read, assignments due, papers to write, APA styling to check or blog entries to post. Oh, right, there’s my day job, but hey, I’ve been doing that all along anyway, so that’s nothing new. I guess what I’m trying to say is that I’ll miss you all. I’ve enjoyed reading everyone’s blog entries and learning about your specialty areas in instruction and technology. Congrats to all the soon-to-be graduates and I hope to see the rest of you in some other ETL courses! Have a great summer, everyone. –Joy