Project Management

Sad as it may seem I’m preoccupied with Project Management right now. I contacted Markos Tiris from the Learning and Skills Development Agency (LSDA), as he’s been involved with the FENTO module Q project. Module Q advocates a project management approach to any adoption of ICT to education in both Teaching and supporting Learning and Management.

I’m moving very much towards a Programme/Project Management approach to my ILT role & work. I’ve had generic PM training (as part of the University of York’s management training programme) and am approaching my work on a pretty ad hoc PM basis already. I want to source some comprehensive training in PM methodology as I think this would be really valuable.

So the first question to Markos was are the LSDA currently planning on providing something like this in their staff development training programme – seeing as it would be so useful for many of us in the sector?

The other thing on my mind is that it would make sense – in terms of enhancing communications and transparency, and in terms of the overall aim of embedding e-learning - for members of our IT team and other key staff in the College to take up and work to the same PM methodology. I’ve been currently looking at PRINCE2 since this also provides accreditation and transferable skills.

My next questions would be: are there any other institutes that are looking at (or already use) a standardised PM methodology? And are there any PM methodologies that the LSDA recommend/favour or have evaluated?

“If you look at the FENTO ILT standards area we agree with the need for a project planning methodology - many are tying out formal systems such a prince 2 - but the issue we have found is one of not allowing sufficient flexibility in what is an experimental methodology. Formal project management systems are great for technical installations and beyond- their limitations show up when you tray to apply them to developmental areas such as e-learning application."

"We aren't running any specific training sessions but watch this space on www.nln.ac.uk/events”

Cheers Markos! If any one out there has been through or is going through the same process please drop me a line.

Comments

[James Farmer]

Hope you're enjoying your gantt charts ;o)