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Project managing e-learning. More is worse! This blog outlines some of the pitfalls that developing E-learning shares with traditional project management as well as some challenges unique to these types of projects. Some solutions are also suggested, mostly dealing with keeping your project plan agile and iterative.

Thanks for posting this article, Brook. Because it talks about elearning being software (tech) development and content development at the same time, it applies to my case study...and because it talks about training struggles, it is reflective of my own work environment too.

This article brings up some valid points that I wish I had read a year or so ago. Originally I thought eLearning was simple converting F2F material for an online environment. At its basic concept it is, but the complexity of this process is much more complicated and resource intensive than I imagined. Those considering the jump from F2F should seriously consider the points of this article and the affect on their organization resources. Thanks for the info.

This is an online scrum project management tool for teams to manage agile projects. Features interactive task board, free download for up to 5 users, an iphone app that gives portability to your scrum management, live help chat and a resourceful blog. If you are a scrum manager, this tool is worth checking out due to its portability and support features.

This tool seems very helpful. Thank you for sharing it. I really like that it has an iphone app that seems to be a key factor in these newer tools. I think that the live chat and blog is something unique about the tools as well, so thank you for pointing those features out as well.

Great looking tool, and moderately-priced for small businesses. I'd like to learn more about SCRUM! and besides that, it's just a cool term!

Sharepoint is a great project management tool, most especially for eLearning. Our online department utilizes it to manages tasks and build online resources for the department. It's a great place to share files and also comment on those files. It has discussion boards and announcement boards. Users can view files and edit them with versioning.

I agree that SharePoint is a great collaboration tool, although it's nice to have someone around who is an expert with using it. Sometimes it can be a little hard to handle. My favorite thing about SharePoint is that you can set up a workflow where a project manager can approve all document updates and new content before it goes live on the site. The manager can even leave comments to help the person revamp their submission. It's a great cloud-based collaboration and information management tool!

I agree, Melissa - it is a great tool but a bit cumbersome. We have a Sharepoint SME in our office who is working on revamping all of our sites. I am hoping it will make our teams use their sites to their fuller potential. If you have a content management plan, it is fantastic - but it can spiral out of control very quickly!

Andy Crowe gives the top 10 characteristics of a great project manager. Project management requires more than just meeting a deadline or moving a milestone it require more. Read and see.

This is a great list! I like how it lists not using information as a weapon. It's amazing to see managers ignore this rule. It comes with the territory of holding back one's emotions or personal preference. Letting go is a quality that is hard to find in management.

This article describes 10 tips about how the best project managers operate. - Sara Lohndorf

A blog sharing the thoughts and experiences on issues affecting project managers, produced by Bruce McGraw. Mr. McGraw is the Executive Vice President of Cognitive Technologies, a consulting firm specializing in project management, collaborative processes, and organizational effectiveness.

Wiggio is a free group collaboration tool that helps facilitate communication, document sharing and project execution. Some technical issues have been identified with this site which might prevent effective use of it's tools. Use with caution.

What I enjoy the most about Wiggio is their ability to send text messages about deadlines for school projects. However, when trying to take full advantage of all their social connectivity components, I found myself running into issues with server lags. I think they probably still need more financial support or stability to increase the efficiency of their services.

After using Wiggio for several weeks now, I do like some features, but the number of errors is obnoxious. It really reminds me of when I tried to use Google Wave in its final moments.

Zoho offers a suite of online web applications geared towards increasing your productivity and offering easy collaboration. Zoho's online office tools include a word processor, spreadsheet application, presentation tool, hosted wiki, notebook, CRM, Database software, etc. I have used it for some of the database applications. They also have a Project Management tool. The collaboration tools could also be used by members of a project team to share documents and to work together on projects. Here is an interesting story that I found on their site: http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1855616,00.html.

Pivotal Tracker is an award-winning, simple, effective, agile project management tool that allows your team to collaborate around a shared backlog of stories in real time.

This site is a nice collection of tools (and descriptions) that, although not specific to Project Management, can be helpful when creating certain products (e.g., learning modules). It was shared by our project SME.

Yup - the same people who publish the books in that series provide a free online resource with specific topics (e.g., "developing meaningful project objectives," "performing a cost-benefit analysis," "how to plan project execution"). It's not the PMBOK, but it's an easy to use and easy to digest collection of good information.

This looks like a great resource to learn project management from scratch. Since so many details go into project management, I think this would be the ideal reference for me, since it breaks it down for the novices. Thanks for sharing!

Here is the Excel spreadsheet that goes with the guide. Another great resource tool.

Wow, this is a very detailed project management spreadsheet! This looks like a very good point of reference for further developing a WBS. Thanks for sharing.

This is a tool that I wanted to share because I know in ILT a lot of people tout using Adobe Captivate for various projects. I recently came across Active Presenter, which has a no-time-limit free version that does all of the basic features of Captivate, most notably screen capturing. One of the obstacles I run into with project management is having everyone on a project team understand how to use various resources. If you have an SME who would be willing to make a quick screen capture of how to use a tool and record it using this program, it will save a lot of time getting everyone on the same page.

Time saver and better screen capturing than Captivate? I must try it!

This site has a lot of great media resources. It includes two podcasts (a PM 101 for beginners and a more advanced one) which both have multiple casts. It also includes Google Hangouts that the host has put together, which speak to many topics related to Project Management. The Hangout pages include videos of the sessions, and suggested websites and books that came up during the videos. This is a great way to listen to experienced PMs and benefit from their list of recommended resources. An added bonus is that the site itself recommends related content and postings at the bottoms of pages, so you can easily browse around for information that interests you.

This is a pretty neat concept. Have you used it much? I would be interested in hearing some first hand feedback - but maybe I'll check it out and then we can discuss further!

Melissa, thanks for sharing I like the approach to search for resources that suits your specific needs.

The International Journal of Project Management offers wide ranging and comprehensive coverage of all facets of project management. Published eight times per year, it provides a focus for worldwide expertise in the required techniques, practices and areas of research; presents a forum for its readers to share common experiences across the full range of industries and technologies in which project management is used; covers all areas of project management from systems to human aspects; links theory with practice by publishing case studies and covering the latest important issues. Application areas include: information systems, strategic planning, research and development, system design and implementation, engineering and construction projects, finance, leisure projects, communications, defence, agricultural projects, major re-structuring and new product development. Papers originate from all over the world and are fully peer-reviewed, on the 'double-blind' system. In addition, the journal carries conference reports, and book reviews. Topics Covered Include: Project concepts; project evaluation; team building and training; communication; project start-up; risk analysis and allocation; quality assurance; project systems; project planning; project methods; tools and techniques; resources, cost and time allocation; estimating and tendering; scheduling; monitoring, updating and control; contracts; contract law; project finance; project management software; motivation and incentives; resolution of disputes; procurement methods; organization systems; decision making processes; investment appraisal. The journal is published in collaboration with the Association for Project Management (APM) and the International Project Management Association (IPMA) and is their official journal.

I've found a number of helpful and informative articles here.

What a great resource! I especially enjoyed the article on "socializing" LMS. We are having this exact discussion at work right now. Thanks for sharing!

Simple Smartsheet harnesses the power of a platform within the simplicity of a spreadsheet. No training required - get up and running in minutes. Smart Assign tasks, attach files, share sheets, view timelines, set alerts, create rollups, go mobile, and much more - all with one intuitive tool.

BrightHubPM.com covers all aspects of project management, from introductory articles on the basics, to in-depth articles on strategic planning. Experienced project managers share what's worked and what hasn't, as well as provide objective reviews of PM tools, both OEM and open source. Follow us online or open a discussion in the comments.

SugarSync's file sync, online backup, and file sharing service makes it easy to stay connected. Get free, secure cloud storage for all your files -- documents, music, photos, and videos.

This site offers a nice succinct, streamlined, one page PM process break down; summarized in a flow chart with links to each individual stage of the process. It also has additional links for PM books, services, and templates. A useful link for getting people started in PM.

Wow, John, what a find! I wish I had this a few months ago when we started this course. I've been looking for a simple visual that still manages to encompass most of the detail that goes into the project process. I love the printable color-coded version (http://www.consulting.ky/files/project_management_process_diagram_large.jpg). I plan on hanging that up in my office. I could also print a copy for each project, and use it as a sort of checklist. The other things I love about the site is that it lists specific deliverables for each stage. Love it! It's definitely more usable than the visuals in our Carroll book, since it's more detailed.

Thanks, this looks to be an excellent resource, and it has that guy on the side that looks at your pointer.