SOLD Improvements

I finally found a fix to the video hosting issue.  I loaded the video files to Vimeo (free service) and linked them into the Coursesites page.  It works great.  The only downside is that I'm limited on total file size uploads per week (500Mb), which translates to 2-3 video files.  It's not a huge issue, but may be a factor later on.

The test date of the project was moved up to this Friday (tomorrow)!  The admins want to run the program and make any final adjustments over the week.  If all goes well, the rest of the faculty will receive the email invite to Coursesites on Tuesday and the project will be live!

The first development module is completely done (that's the one to be tested on Friday).  A stand-alone video tutorial on fundraising is complete and just needs to be linked to the Coursesites page.  The Money Matters module is in process (one video is done, one yet to be recorded, plus the mod pages still need to be constructed).  I won't be able to add those videos until Wednesday of next week because of the way Vimeo limits uploads.

So far, it's going well.  The tech/video problem really added a lot of time to the project, but a workable solution was found.  Now on to the implementation and evaluation stages.

SOLD Project hits Scope Creep

After grinding out the PM course project, and a flying trip to PA and back for a family emergency, I'm feeling a bit wrung out.

But projects don't halt so that I can take a nap, so onward we go.... sort of.

I'm finding that communications, expectations, and tech issues are my biggest problems right now.  I was tossed the project (courtesy of my description of the Master's program) without much thought towards expectations, just a "do it" attitude.  The VP/SME that I am primarily working with for the first phase is not incredibly tech-savy, and does not take suggestions well that would make implementation easier.  I have been sending regular updates on progress, with a few questions for clarification.  He normally addresses the first issue, and ignores the rest (I limit my items to less than five).

Despite those issues, the majority of Phase 1 is done.  Learner analysis, tech analysis, and assessments are done.  I'm learning more about the tech issues as we progress.  I'm using the Coursesites LMS to host the development training.  One module has an .avi video, made with CamStudio, that lasts about 8 minutes.  The video will play, but there is no sound and some buffering/start/stop issues.  I've tried to compress the video to decrease the byte size, and have contacted the Coursesites tech support about the sound issue.  Since all of the video and file settings are correct, the tech crew thinks its a problem with their video service (QuickTime) and they're still working on it.

Until they figure that part out, I'm have to search for other options to host the video.  YouTube is blocked at our school.  The file size is too big for TeacherTube.  So I'm still searching.  As I'm operating on a $0-budget, the service would need to be free, have a 200 MB minimum or larger upload size, and not be blocked by our county's servers.

Before I could pinpoint the issues with the CamStudio video, the VP/SME went ahead and recorded two more screen capture videos for later modules.  I'm slightly frustrated.

1. He won't use a script - which leads to rambling and excess file size
2. I don't know the content of the subsequent videos or even if a video clip is the most appropriate way to present the content information

And the deadline is looming.  Everything is supposed to be live by next Tuesday.

Scope Creep: Historical Recreation

In my spare time, which there sadly isn't enough of, my husband and I are members of a historical reenactment group. The group focuses on historical recreations from Roman to Elizabethan eras.  Each person picks a particular era, location, and related activities in which to participate.  For example, my particular focus lies in Tudor-era France, stretching to Elizabethan.  Within that broad focus, I research and sew clothing that would be appropriate, along with all the accessories that would also be worn.  I also create bobbin lace, as would a lady during Elizabethan times.

Aside from some budget and time constraints (sewing things at the last minute), the scope creep could relatively be contained if I were the only stakeholder involved in the process.  Often, as with any volunteer group, the baton of leadership is passed from member to member to organize specific events or to coordinate activities for the whole of the group.  Such was the case with me about five years ago.  The organization typically holds the events over weekends outside.  The scope of the project would include security, some accommodations, activities, schedules, and an evening meal on Saturday night.

I was asked to organize a large event that would occur over 3 days in early November.  The regional heads of the organization had specific requirements.  My original bid for the event would safely land within budget and would meet most of the needs of the regional heads.  The original bid was accepted in early September. Then I was told that the original plan for the Saturday evening meal was not acceptable in late September.  This change in the dinner plan cause me to scramble for a new location for the event and readjust both the activities for the weekend, plus the event budget as the second venue was more expensive than the original.  The new location required their own security, plus payment for cleaning crews, and the dinner menu had to be changed (which caused the chefs who would have been preparing the food on site a large amount of displeasure as even the food and recipes are researched with to be historically correct, within safety guidelines).  Additionally, the regionally heads asked in October to change the schedule of activities for the weekend to include events that would require additional volunteers.  Other problems during the planning phase included the resignation of an assistant, a change in chefs, and volunteers changing positions and roles.

The majority of the issues during the project were related to the expansion the scope of the activities (Portny, Mantel, Meredith, Shafer, Sutton & Kramer, 2008).  Some were related to inexperienced people assigned to tasks in planning, namely myself.  Although the event turned out very well, several things would have improved the process.  It would have been hard to anticipate the some of the difficulty (all of the kitchen cabinets were locked when the chefs arrived), some could have been handled better, with a lot less panic on my part.  I did not get a written confirmation of the original bid, for starters.  As Vince Budrovich expounded on in the "Practitioner Voices: You Can't Win Them All" video this week, receiving confirmation in writing for original project goals and for any changes is crucial (Laureate Education, Inc., n.d.).  Secondly, the assistant who resigned was allocated the task of coordinating the building services of the kitchen and ceased to communicate in the middle of October with anyone (thus leading to the kitchen problems).  I should have been more involved with his contacts at the building for the event so that I could follow up on progress personally, rather than having relied on him.

I am glad that I took on the project, despite the problems.  I learned a great deal about the organization, and how to plan an event for the organization.  Sadly, though I have not had the time, opportunity, or the inclination to do so since.

References:

Laureate Education, Inc. (n.d.) Practitioner voices: You can't win them all. [Video]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_2_1&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3Ftype%3DCourse%26id%3D_1342057_1%26url%3D

Portny, S. E., Mantel, S. J., Meredith, J. R., Shafer, S. M., Sutton, M. M., & Kramer, B. E. (2008). Project management: Planning, scheduling, and controlling projects. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.