Effective eLearning is comprised of many components. You cannot expect to create successful eLearning courses merely by hiring someone who is an expert in eLearning, investing in a few rapid eLearning authoring tools or getting your hands on an open source e-learning platform. Rather, effective eLearning requires you to bring all these components together and more. You need the help of various professionals who are experts in their fields. It’s the collaboration of these people who can produce effective e-Learning courses.
Under the supervision of an eLearning Project Manager, a project of eLearning Design and Development can be carried out by carefully following a step by step process from design to deployment. The Project Manager makes it their mission to bring together various professionals who can fulfill the requirements of the eLearning project and complete that project within the given time span, without compromising on the quality of the project and completing it within the given resources and budget.
This article will highlight the key qualities an eLearning Project manager should possess so they can make this venture successful:
Professionals who are part of eLearning development have backgrounds in either pedagogy or technology. For instance, Instructional Designers have a deep understanding of theory in relation to educational psychology, educational technology, learning theories, and other related disciplines. Professionals who participate in eLearning typically come from information technology, programming, and flash development fields. For that reason, it’s important to bring together these two separate perspectives for synergy and collaboration. It’s the role of the eLearning Project Manager to recruit a team of professionals who are well suited for the project.
Another skill that an eLearning Project Manager should possess is staying in the loop regarding the latest trends and innovation in relation to eLearning. When the manager is knowledgeable about the latest eLearning authoring tools, new Learning Management Systems and understands where the eLearning market is headed, they stay ahead of their competitors. The best way to stay updated is by attending conferences, reading up on latest news and articles, engaging in eLearning forums, networking with other professionals in the field. And staying engaged with the latest trends and developments in relation to eLearning.
The eLearning Project Manager doesn’t only need to be highly knowledgeable about the industry but they also need to possess strong leadership capabilities to bring together a team and guide them in the development of the eLearning courses. Leadership skills are necessary to form and coordinate a team of diversified group of professionals who bring different sets of expertise.
Managing a group of professionals requires strong communication skills. The manager is not only responsible for informing the team what needs to be done, but they are also responsible for setting up an appropriate channel of communication so the team can coordinate among themselves for the development of the eLearning course. Clear, concise and consistent communication will eliminate confusion and miscommunication resulting in overall greater efficiency and teamwork.
The eLearning Project Manager is responsible for making sure all assets and resources are being used efficiently. For the eLearning course to be successful and profitable, it needs to be developed within the given time constraint and budget. Effective use of resources, such as eLearning authoring tools, human resources and equipment, is important and necessary for a successful outcome.
No matter how the manager chooses to approach this project, the deadline cannot be missed. Delivering the project late can have strong consequences and the months of effort spent on the project could easily go down the drain. To make sure that everything is completed on time, the manager has to set up realistic goals and timelines. Each step of the process needs to be properly assigned and every milestone reached should be evaluated before proceeding to the next. Proper corrective action should be taken to avoid delays and these practices will save the project from getting delayed.
In a nutshell, the eLearning Project Manager is the connecting line between the project team and the project itself. The role can be complex and demanding, but also highly rewarding if the manager possesses the above skills. Do you need to have an eLearning PM on your project? Contact us today!
