Abstract
Project management is a term for which there are endless books professing the right way to conduct it. Project management is the systematic application of a standardized approach to conducting a project that increases that project's chances of success. It is known that IT projects are some of those projects most likely to fail, and e-learning projects are no different. The aim of this chapter is to explain how it might be possible to develop a toolkit that could allow e-learning systems of any scale to be developed by those who often have to deliver learning, but may not necessarily have skills in project management or ICT development. It is intended that the proposed toolkit would be valued by other internationally focussed organisations where learning and teaching are a core part of the activities that it conducts, but on a smaller scale. To achieve this, research is proposed at the University of Gloucestershire and Crocels Community Media Group. A pilot study is conducted, and the questionnaire for the study proves to be reliable.
TopIntroduction
Essential to conducting research is finding a problem to solve (Booth, 2003). In terms of this project the problem is that standardised project management or service methodologies do not have regard for the organisational architecture and working practices of those who choose to adopt them. Often choosing a methodology is therefore a battle in itself (Kerzner, 2014). This often results in project failure (ibid). The project therefore aims to develop a toolkit for managers to customise standardised methodologies for their organisation. It will do this through conducting action research in an e - learning organisation that has a strong organisational architecture as well as cultural and working practices of its own. This should better ensure project success.
Project management research can be seen to be divided into the four areas of management of a project, management of a project - based organisation, management of a project network, and management of an organisation network (Artto & Kujala, 2008). Projects are collaborative endeavours and often involve bringing people together from multiple backgrounds (De - Laat & Lally, 2003). Table 1 presents an approach to devising a project management tool based on equation modelling.
Table 1.
Approaches to devising a project management tool based on equation modelling
| # | Approach To Devising A Project Management Tool Based On Equation Modelling |
| 1 | An equation model adopted by an e - learning organization will be put forward and the memorandum and articles and other documents analyzed using CAQDAS based on emergent theory. An alternative model will be developed for other organizations. |
| 2 | An equation model will be utilized by an e - learning organization and evaluated through collecting data using interviews of it in action, which will be analyzed using CAQDAS based on thick description. A more detailed version will be adopted. |
| 3 | An equation model utilized by an e - learning organization will be re - evaluated through a qualitative questionnaire of those in the organization using CAQDAS based on theory building. An alternative model will be proposed and adopted if necessary or the model will be integrated with existing theoretical models. |
Source: Own
There is an abundance of literature on establishing organisations, but little directly relevant to e - learning organisations. Answering question 1 in the previous section would resolve this. There is a significant amount of research in the area of project management and some emerging in e - learning. Answering question 2 above would provide a specific model for e - learning projects. There is a significant amount of research into pedagogies for learning, and this vast amount of information needs to be made directly applicable to e - learning systems so that the objectives of e - learning organisations can be met. Answering question three in the previous section would achieve this.
TopBackground
What is significant about this study is not only is it based around understanding the organisational context of several multi - national organisations, but it also seeks to understanding different approaches to delivering education in different nations.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Project Management: Project management is the systematic approach to delivering a project.
Portfolio Management: Portfolio management is the method by which one manages a series of programmes.
Pillars: An organisation’s pillars are the core activities or functions it performs.
Purposes: An organisation’s purposes are the values and methods by which it operates.
Programme Management: Programme management is the method by which one manages a series of projects.
Legacy System: A legacy system is an information system that is either obsolete or requires maintenance to keep it operating.
Multinational Organisation: A multinational organisation is an organisation with a presence in a number of different towns or cities countrywide or worldwide.