Information Project Management
Planning a Web/Multimedia Project
Introduction
This class
focuses upon how to create a Multimedia Project from start to finish.
The outcome itself doesn't have to be the visually most spectacular creation
ever, but each step of the process will be explored.
You will create all of the project reports that are necessary to make
a complete project. All these reports and planning variables
What is a Project Management?
Much of what is modern Project Management has been derived and developed from the Project Management Institute(PMI). They have produced the most comprehensive program yet for this new emerging field. The PMBOK® (Project Management Book of Knowledge) is the source book for all phases of the creation, scoping, planning, budgeting, design, implementation, and completion of any type of project. This is an important facet to realize: Project Management is a skill and even a Certification that can be transfered across career fields. An individual can become a PMP(Project Management Professional) and be certified by PMI and receive a highly sought after certification.
After taking this course in Multimedia Project Management course, you will have had your first exposure to all the elements of creating a viable project. Some of you might decide to further pursue certification.
What is a Multimedia Project?
A Multimedia project usually refers to a software like product the uses various forms of media. Media is defined as text, graphics, sound, video clips, animations, and unique scripting effects that when combined creates a unique interactive experience for the user. By contrast to Media types are the Medium types that the information will be published on. For the purpose of this class the medium we will be focusing upon will be the web protocol: published either on the WWW itself, or on an interactive CD-ROM. The end result of a project like this one is not a building but an experience. Hence, the experience is much more subjective and the chances for failure much greater.
Modern Web and Infromation Project Management has been derived from the methods described in the previous paragraphs. Yet these methods have there foundation in engineering practices that deal with very tangible and real sorts of resource constraints. The most significant deliverable is the blueprint, because it definitively draws the boundaries for the design and scope of the project in a way that all parties can argree and is indisputable; before the project begins. Usually, overruns can be attributed to the cost of some input going up or enough people on the job, etc. In addition, there is well over 100 years of "modern" construction experience that can go into creating the decision milestones and benchmaks for a successful project. With Multimedia, things are not quite the same.
| Download and read the Web Site Questionnaire |
To begin with, a multimedia project involves something far less rigid and clear as a blueprint, it involves much more "gray area" and human tastes and preferences. Therefore, the level of questioning that you as a project manager must do is next to extraordinary. As a job aide, there are two documents that you might use to formulate your initial Request for Proposal(RFP) or internally, a statement of work. The first one is a prototype that I have done for my clients called simply: The Web Site Questionnaire. The second and third items can be found on your CD-ROM that came packaged with your book. These documents are called: "the Online Scoping Project Questionnaire" and "the Offline Scoping Project Questionnaire". When you view these documents, you can use these for a basis of writing your own Questionnaire and use it for creating a proposal.
Why separate the Aspects of a Project?
To successfully
manage the complexity of a project you must outline and design the controls
necessary to keep the project in scope, on-time, and within budget. Although,
"shift happens", one way to keep these changes from degenerating
into chaos is to separate into parts the projects into essential elements.
This diagram represents a list of the areas that one should consider as
unique areas of the project management process.
It is useful to consider these different aspects of the project as "Subject
Headings" in the various reports also called "deliverables"
that you write for the client.
- Project Integration - describes the process of organizing the various deliverables
- Project Scope - what is the actual amount of work that has been contracted for with the client.
- Prject Time Management -
- Project Cost Management -
- Project Quality Management -
- Project Human Resource Management -
- Project Communications Management -
- Project Risk Management -
- Project Procurement Management -
Some key terms to KNOW!!!?
The following
terms have great significance in the flow and delivery of a project.
Initial Client Proposal
To begin, here is a sample of a client proposal. Download this Sample Proposal and review the content.