Project "Post-mortem"

Project “Post-mortem”

My project from my Distance Learning class which I was excited about doing initially, turned out to be my biggest nightmare of the semester.  The project was to develop an online orientation training module for a Philosophy class using a Course Management System (CMS).  I did not know what a CMS was at the start of the class but I was eager to learn more about it.  The instructor suggested several CMSs to research and allowed us to choose the one we would use.  Having zero experience with CMSs, I did my research and decided to use Moodle.  I did a trial module on their website and felt confident I could easily develop my project on this platform.  I began to prepare my materials and everything came to an abrupt halt when I was not able to load Moodle onto my computer.  I contracted the instructor for help and he informed me there was a problem with Moodle’s download.  He then suggested I try another CMS which happened to be one I had never researched.   I did switch to Coursesites and the nightmares began.  Needless to say, I did not get the desired outcome the instructor nor I expected.

As I look back on this project today, there were both high and low points.  There were quite a few successes.  I had actually worked the ADDIE method on paper and had a plan in place.  I did an analysis of the project and prepared to develop it.  I had developed strong course modules on paper.  I felt completely satisfied I would be able to execute my plan in the CMS.  However, I was ill prepared for using the Coursesite platform.  My lack of knowledge using the technology was the biggest contributing factor to the undesirable outcome of the project.  It did not matter how well planned I was on paper.  Dr. Stolovich even said “the why is more important than the how”.  (Laureate Education, 2009)  I got stuck in the “how”. 

If I were applying the Project management process, I would say I experienced “scope creep” and did not even know it.  (Laureate Education, Practitioner Voices: Overcoming 'Scope Creep’, 2009)  The change in CMS was a major modification for me and ultimately caused a major setback.  Had I understood scope creep during this project, I would have taken Dr. Van Rekom advice.  She said “scope creep is inevitable – build in time and money for it ahead of time”.  (Laureate Education, Practitioner Voices: Overcoming 'Scope Creep’, 2009)  Identifying limitations could have also been employed in this project.  My lack of experience with any CMS was surely a limiting factor.  Consequently, my timelines were stretched to the maximum.  This left no time for checks and balances resulting in errors being left behind in the final (unfinished) product.

My greatest lesson learned from this project was spoken about from every practitioner this week.  Dr. Stolovich said it, Dr. Van Rekom said it and now I am say it.  “Scope creep is inevitable” so prepare for it!  (Laureate Education, Practitioner Voices: Overcoming 'Scope Creep’, 2009)

References

Laureate Education, I. (2009). Practitioner Voices: Overcoming 'Scope Creep’. Retrieved July 11, 2012, from Walden Univ. Mobile Learning: https://class.waldenu.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_2_1&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3Ftype%3DCourse%26id%3D_1341360_1%26url%3D

Laureate Education, I. (2009). Project Management and Instructional Design. Retrieved Sept 4, 2013, from Project Management and Instructional Design: http://mym.cdn.laureate-media.com/Walden/EIDT/6100/CH/mm/eidt6100_instructional_design.html