Project Management Tools and Techniques ISMC, October 23, 2001

What Is A Project? Includes an element of something new Has a beginning and an end Often interdisciplinary and as such involves people with differing backgrounds

What Is Project Management? The application of knowledge, skills, tools and techniques to project activities in order to meet or exceed stakeholder needs and expectations from a project

Why Use Project Management Tools and Techniques? Focus and clarify our thinking so that we proceed in a systematic, effective, and efficient manner Identify everything that needs to be considered and done to reach a goal (includes what is to be communicated and to whom) Identify who will do what and time frames

Why Use Project Management Tools and Techniques? Reduce the confusion, frustration, backtracking, and errors that can be associated with developing or introducing something new

Why Use Project Management for Virtual Reference? Advantages previously noted We all begin to develop project management skills We can apply these skills to other projects We can help others in the Library develop these skills

Where Are We Going? Overall project may have three distinct components: 1. Feasibility study 2. Pilot 3. Operational

Feasibility Should we introduce virtual reference? Why or why not? What’s involved in introducing virtual reference? What do we need to know, what do we need to do, what decisions do we have to make in order to answer the two previous questions?

Pilot Project Develop a plan for a pilot Activate the pilot Develop an assessment plan for the pilot Activate the assessment plan Decide whether we’re going into full operation and, if so, what adjustments should be made

Move To Operational Develop a plan to move from pilot to operational Activate the plan Develop a plan for on-going assessment Activate the assessment plan

Next Step? Preparing a Project Charter