Learning outcomes:
1. Identify project management roles and environment.
2. Describe the project life cycle.
3. Use major project management techniques including traditional, agile, and extreme.
4. Control and evaluate project management approaches effectively to achieve better outcomes strategically.
5. Apply project management concepts to library and information practices.
Overview:
Dr. Michelle Chen took a very technical and theoretical topic and made it approachable and relevant to librarians. My first few weeks were spent trying to understand the different project management (PM) models and how they worked in tandem toward successful outcomes. We read a variety of case studies pertaining to libraries which made the content of the course that much more valuable. Early on, I realized that every library should have a project manager position, especially when there are large, multi-departmental projects on the horizon.
While this is an ideal situation, the majority of libraries must do with current personnel taking on PM responsibilities. And, while taking a project through a fully developed PM process is ideal, it is rare that a library project can take the time to be fully vetted through the PM process. As the course progressed however, I was able to strategize on those practical concepts that I could apply to my own library setting.
Favorite assignment:
Beginning with assignment 3, students in the class were to assess their home organizations using risk management techniques. We focused on identification, assessment and mitigation of risk which was displayed in a heat map. This exercise allowed me to lay out all the risks associated with my organization and helped to put all the issues in perspective. (Note: Since this assignment was submitted, a number of changes have occurred including the hiring of more staff and the adoption of a strategic plan)
Final project:
- With the risk management assessment in hand, I was able to focus on a final project that would improve the relevance of the library to our growing online student population while also mitigating the risk surrounding the lack of a strategic plan. My oral presentation can be found as this Collaborate presentation.
- The written version of my final project is titled, “Library Technology Plan for Distance Learners: Initiating the Project Management Process”
- In Spring 2016, I was also able to call upon the skills I had learned in Project Management to help me organize the steps required to complete my Grant Writing final project which in turn became a successfully funded project in Spring 2017 at my organization.