Abstract: An understanding of the required project management processes and models can determine the success or failure of the project in terms of cost, quality and time requirements. Unfortunately, many multimedia teams that come together to develop multimedia product have inadequate project management skills in quality assurance, cost estimation, risk analysis, legal issues, accounting, team management, communication, planning and tracking of milestones. The detrimental effect of the lack of these skills has been well documented in many industry, academic and government reports. This tutorial will present key project management elements needed to structure the development of project management models and quality assurance procedures for different sizes and types of multimedia product. Also, for interested participants, an emphasis on developing educational product for on-line delivery will also be considered. Participants will be given a copy a the book “Project Management for New Media” (Luca, 1997).

Objectives

Developing multimedia and on-line educational products requires project managers to clearly understand the different elements needed in the development life cycle. Unfortunately, many development teams that come together have inadequate project management skills in quality assurance, cost estimation, risk analysis, legal issues, team management, communication, planning and tracking of milestones. This often causes problems for the project manager in terms of cost, quality and timing. This tutorial will present key project management elements needed to structure the development of on-line educational materials through the use of structured project management models and quality assurance procedures. An emphasis will be placed on developing educational product for on-line delivery. The objective of the tutorial is to: • Develop project management models for multimedia development which include analysis, feasibility, scope, content collection, design (interface, instructional, information), prototyping, production, evaluation and implementation; • Design and evaluate instructional procedures and strategies used for creating on-line instructional materials; • Create and evaluate quality assurance templates used in the life cycle of project development, including communication strategies, client liaison and methods of handling legal issues; • Define consistent primary and secondary level category definitions for schedules, timesheets, project management model and project diary; • Develop metrics from timesheet data and extend into a costing model for developing multimedia; • Develop a project management model and instructional strategies suitable for the candidate’s environment.

Topical Outline

The tutorial will consider the different project management phases that make the life cycle of multimedia product development. Templates, tools and resources will be considered and teams formed to develop project management models and procedures. The phases that will be covered in an instructional context will cover: • Ongoing Project Issues. Client and team issues, timesheets, project reports, legal issues, evaluation/testing and change control, need continual thought and attention. A summary of each of these will be given, along with procedures and templates to assist with their development; • “Project Proposal”. Specifications to estimate resources, time and rough cost needed to develop the product in order to determine whether to continue with production. The tutorial will consider aspects such as concept note, needs analysis, feasibility, scope, costing and proposal for design. • Content Collection and Outline. All the required content must be collected and validated from appropriate sources. Includes text, photographs, logos, videos, voice, music, animations, graphics and other required media elements; • Design and prototype. Considers interface, instructional and information design issues. Storyboards and prototypes are used to obtain feedback on how to improve the design before production begins. A complete design methodology will be considered with an emphasis on instructional on-line delivery issues for interested participants. • Development. Considers how to integrating media elements with programming code, testing and evaluation cycles. Also, version control, change control, naming conventions and backup issues are considered. • Finally, “Implementation and Wrap-up”!

Prerequisites

The tutorial is suitable for lecturers or teachers who are planning to develop a web site, CD-ROM, on-line instructional materials or other multimedia product. Candidates do not require experience in developing multimedia product. The tutorial would be useful for candidates considering the management of a multimedia development themselves, or those who would be contracting external multimedia developers and taking the role of a client.

Experience Level

Beginner

Qualifications

Joe Luca, PhD (j.luca@ecu.edu.au) Senior Lecturer from Edith Cowan University (Department of Multimedia) specialises in project management methodology for multimedia development. Previous to joining the university was a multimedia project manager in a commercial environment. Other experience in project managing multimedia development includes: • Managing director of New Media Management Pty Ltd, which specialises in project managing the development of multimedia product; • Publication of “Project Management for New Media”, a book used by final year university students and the multimedia industry over the past 3 years and a book chapter on: “A Project Management Model for New Media Development” used by first year university students. Catherine McLoughlin, PhD (Email: c.mcloughlin@signadou.acu.edu.au) Associate Professor, Head of School in Higher Education at the Australian Catholic University where she is engaged in staff development, research into tertiary learning and development of innovative teaching practices using technology. Her role combines leadership in open and distance learning, with design and delivery of staff development programs in higher education.