Project Schedule and Estimating Activity Duration

Resources useful for planning an ID project’s schedule

10 Steps to Creating a Project Plan

https://www.projecttimes.com/articles/10-steps-to-creating-a-project-plan.html

This site provides great information on items to consider when creating a project plan. This site also lists the different components of the project plan. This will help the project manager identify items that they will need to plan for. Another piece of useful information contained on this site is the section for defining roles and responsibilities. This section provides a clear definition of the roles, and the responsibilities associated with the role. This will help the project manager to communicate to the team their role and how they fit into the project.

Overall, I think it was a good article, however, I think the author should have expanded more on what is required to create a project plan. The author explained the project process and everyone’s role. I would recommend this article only as an FYI.

Tips for Project Planning with Gantt Charts

https://www.smartdraw.com/gantt-chart/gantt-chart-tips.htm

I found this site to be extremely helpful for building a project plan. This site opened up discussing identifying the purpose of creating a Gantt chart. The author advised that this type of chart would not be conducive for creating a visual of a process. The site then proceeded to walk the reader through the next step of defining a project timeline. This step is important as it assist the project manager with dividing up the increments of time for the duration of the project. The site also explains to the project manager how to break the project down into more manageable pieces, and how to create progress bars to monitor the project status.

I found this site to be great for project managers to use to develop a project plan using the Gantt chart. I would recommend this site for other project managers and ID’s looking for a resource to help them develop a project plan.

Communicating Effectively

During this assignment, I was presented with three different communication methods in which members of a workgroup were communicating on their project. The communication methods where email, voicemail, and face-to-face. As I initially reviewed the messages, I predetermined that the face-to-face method would be the most effective, as both parties would be able to communicate both verbally and non-verbally.

As I reviewed the email, Jane was communicating to Mark that she needed him to provide an ETA on a missing report. Jane stated that the was information she needed from that report for her own work, which was in jeopardy of missing the deadline if she does not receive the report soon. Jane also states that Mark can send the report in a separate email when it is ready. Based upon my experience, although Jane did communicate why she needed the information, she was not able to obtain any immediate feedback or acknowledgment that Mark will have the information ready for her, by the time needed. I do not believe the email was the most appropriate form of communication for her need in this scenario.

During the second method of communication, which was the voicemail, Jane stated the same thing that was presented in the email. The difference in between the two forms of communication was you were able to hear the urgency in Jane’s tone of voice. The email made it seem as though Mark has some time to get this information to her, since he may be busy, however, the voicemail made it appear the information was needed asap.

The final method of communication was the face-to-face, in which Jane stated the exact same thing as in the previous two forms of communication, however, unlike those methods you were able to see Jane’s body language and non-verbal communication along with her message. This form of communication would provide Jane with an actual time on when Mark would be able to provide the report or missing information immediately.

My interpretations from one modality to the next remained the same. With each form of communication, the more pieces of the communication (verbal and non-verbal) used to convey your message, will further ensure the information is received appropriately. With the email, there was too much room for interpretation when the report and missing information would be needed. However, with the voicemail and face-to-face, you were able to hear the urgency with the message.

I learned from this exercise that while emails may be easier to throw together and send out, it is not always the most effective form of communication, and may not provide the results that you may need.

Learning from a Project "Post-mortem"

As an instructional designer, I was tasked with developing an online training for an organization of 30k employees on the new ICD10 codes that will replace the ICD9 medical billing codes. The project request was submitted 2 years prior to the ICD10 codes usage being required by federal legislation. This time-frame typically provided me lots of time, since the standard development time for project completions was 12-16 weeks. Unfortunately, the development of this training hit many snags, which caused the project to almost miss deadline. I was able to however meet the project completion deadline after making many changes to the initial training request, and instead of developing 1 online module, I created 3 separate modules, in which the first was released by the date required by the federal legislation, and the last two remaining modules were released shortly after. There were three main issues that was impacting the project meeting the required release date and they include; System requirements not yet active or tested; extremely large workgroup (30 representatives) who had different ideas and views of how the training should be delivered and what to include, obtaining the necessary sign-off from everyone involved on the workgroup.

What processes, project artifacts, or activities did I include that contributed to the success of the project?

While it is not the norm to have such a large workgroup for a project, I went into the process understanding that I needed to be well organized, and document everything. There were many calls with the workgroup in which someone asked me who provided the instruction for me to do something a certain way, in which I would quickly access a communication sent to me with the request. In addition to being well organized and keeping track of all documentation, I also communicated with the workgroup on a weekly or bi-weekly basis to communicate the project status and any new developments. This kept the workgroup aware of my progress, and provided any information they may have needed to communicate to their individual teams. The last activity that I would contribute to the success of the project was my ability to think outside the box and be flexible. The legislation required that staff be trained on the ICD10 process by September 2015, however the law did not state what type of information must be included in the training. In order to meet the deadline, and taking into consideration that the organization’s systems were not yet ready for me to include simulations and screen shots in the training, I proposed that the initial online module I develop only include background information on the ICD10 codes and definitions. This was proposed because that was information that was already obtained and confirmed. For the systems training and functionality pieces, I was able to wait after September 2015 for the system to be enhanced and create the other two modules.

What processes, project artifacts, or activities did I not include that might have made the project more successful?

One of the items that I constantly think about, is I did not hold anyone accountable for their participation in the project besides myself. With that said, when business requirements that other departments were responsible did not meet their deadline, I did not further probe as to why the hold up and how this would impact the project’s timeline. I just assumed responsibility and tried to come up with a workaround. This added more stress to my work, in addition to not correctly identifying problem areas and documenting that information for my manager.

The Future of Distance Learning

Distance education is growing at an alarming rate due to the advancement of technology. As mentioned in this week’s video: Growing acceptance of distance education is fueled by the increase in online communication (Laureate Education (Producer), 2017). With the Internet becoming more accessible, individuals have a greater opportunity to participate in online education programs.

I believe in the next 5 – 10 years, distance learning will continue to grow, and more institutions and businesses will invest in this method of content delivery. In addition, I believe the traditional face-to-face venues will begin to diminish. Within the next 10 – 20 years, I believe that distance learning will become the new norm for society.

As an instructional designer, it is our responsibility to be a guardian of the learning process. We should ensure that we are equipping and educating the learners so that they have all they will need to be successful in their learning endeavor. As an ID we should advocate for the appropriate use of distance learning when it fits the content and the learners. Furthermore, as an ID, we should push back on the stakeholders who request distance learning, when distance learning is clearly not the solution.

I will remain a positive force for continuous improvement in the field of distance education by ensuring to apply the proper instructional design process to my training curriculum. Also, ensuring that all projects I develop continue to go through an evaluation process, in which I am able to enhance further the content based upon items identified in the analysis. I believe that continuing to be a supporter of distance learning and looking for innovative ways to help design content to keep learners engaged will assist me in my journey.

I feel this class on distance learning has opened my eyes to the software available for designing distance learning courses and keeping the learners fully engaged. Using the CourseSite page to design my first distance learning course, was challenging, yet rewarding. I belevie the more I get to interact with the software I will be able to further develop the content that I program on the site for learners.

Reference

Laureate Education (Producer) (2017). The future of distance education [Video podcast]. Retrieved from http://class.waldenu.edu

Converting to a Distance Learning Format

This week I was challenged with a scenario in which a trainer wanted to convert their current face-to-face content, into a distance learning format.

In the paper I wrote, I identified what pre-instructional elements the instructor would need to perform prior to updating his training content. Whenever an instructional designer must convert training materials, they should always approach the project as a new project request and perform an analysis of the request and the impacted audiences.

In addition to the pre-planning strategies, I communicated in the paper how the role of the instructor would change from what he was doing in the face-to-face environment, to how he will need to facilitate in a distance learning format.

Finally, I provided a list of best practices that can assist the instructor with converting his content, and ensuring the learning delivery is conducive to the training environment.

Converting to a Distance Learning Format.pdf

My definition of distance learning and the future or distance learning

Prior to attending my Walden University Distance Learning class, I had participated in distance learning as a participant, facilitator, developer, and programmer. My definition of distance learning is to share knowledge using technology with a diverse group of participants who are located in different areas of the world. I did not necessarily feel an instructor was required for distance learning, as information could be shared in a narrated electronic course, or vignette.

Due to my participation in the learning industry in the past 11 years, I have observed many influences on the changes of the definition of distance learning. I feel one of the factors that drives change in the definition of distance learning, is the advancement of technology. Technology continues to redefine the ways in which information is shared, for example social networks and YouTube.

I believe that changes on a person’s definition of distance learning can be influenced by their profession, as well as, there level of technical knowledge. For example, someone new to the learning industry may feel like distance learning is limited to just online virtual classrooms. Although, that is a specific type of distance learning, you also have technology based trainings, E-learning, blended learning, performance support tools, vignettes, and the list continues as technology advances.

My definition of distance learning was very similar to the information that I was exposed to this week. There was very small differences in the wording, however, the jest of the information was the same.

I believe the future of distance learning will further evolve, and information will be shared in even more innovative ways. I believe employers will invest more in the learning industry as the benefits of advanced learning deliverables become available. I believe designers and technologist will continue to play a vital role in ensuring the content is conducive to the learning environment.

Reference

Simonson, M., Smaldino, S., & Zvacek, S. (2015). Foundations of Distance Learning (6th ed.). Charlotte, NC: Information Age Publishing, Inc..

Distance Learning Blog

Greetings,

My name is Daniel and this will be my blog for my Walden University Distance Learning class.

I am 34 years old and have been an instructional designer for the past six years. Before becoming a designer, I was a traveling trainer. For the past 6 months I started my new role as an instructional technologist.