Project management
From Digipedia
Overview
Each and every project is different, with its own set of characteristics, aims and objectives. The key to success is good project management which will make sure that goals are achieved within the timeframe and other constraints, that risks are managed and that a flexible approach can be taken should the need arise. There are many different project management methodologies, such as PRINCE2 and Critical Chain Project Management.
At the outset of a digital content creation project, it is important to take time to plan what you expect to do before any work begins. Make sure that you are clear about this, have the necessary expertise and equipment available and have defined the outcome of the work. You will want to have done audience analysis, a feasibility study, a risk assessment, developed the workflow for the content creation process, agreed monitoring and evaluation methods and identified likely business models for sustaining the resource once the project has fininshed. Content creation workflow will include a number of activities such as the following set out in the JISC Digital Media paper on project management for a digitisation project:
- Selection for digitisation
- Clearing copyright
- Indexing and metadata
- Conservation of originals
- Transit of items to be digitised
- Digitisation
- Digital processing or re-mastering
- Quality assurance procedures for all digital files and metadata
- Digital storage and back-up
- Creating a delivery mechanism
- Preservation of collection once the project ends
Working to a continuous cycle of plan/do/monitor/adjust will make sure that you are able to change the way work is done if necessary, or that you can respond to unexpected changes of circumstance without compromising the project.
The Digipedia Start with a plan outline provides an overview of the activities which should be included.
Sources of advice and guidance
JISC Digital Media provide an extensive guide to managing a digitisation project.
The UKOLN Good Practice Guide includes a chapter on project management.
JISC Infonet offers a project management methodology