By V. Karen Miller
Web Link Alliance Partners - Top Search Engine Ranking Solution For Your Client Websites From Web Link AlliancePartner with Web Link Alliance to add Search Engine Optimization to your product offering. Top Search Engine Rankings with minimal changes to your client websites through a system of web services and a link exchange program where you can
Purchase Links directly.
Have you seen Jesse James on the Discovery Channel`s Monster Garage?
Each week Jesse and his handpicked team create a customized vehicle to dazzle and amaze you. So what does this have to do with eLearning? Read on...
Big boys like big toys
Did you see the episode when the:
* Cadillac Escalade becomes a tailgate party?
* DeLorean is transformed into a hovercraft?, or the
* Scary monster Santa float as it makes it debut in a parade?
Graphic Design ManchesterBefore you commission a large design agency to take control of the next project are you sure that you have covered all bases in the search for effective
Graphic Design Manchester? You don`t mind paying for a team of talented individuals to run with the scheme but have you considered all of your options? Would your project be swallowed up within the core of the design agency and would it merely be another job that has to fit in with the many contracts that they are already running? You need to ask yourself would your design project benefit from the input of a freelance designer who could provide you with a highly personal touch. Cost might not be an issue but you`ll certainly save money on your
Graphic Design Manchester if you bring in a freelance from the start. Moreover, they can focus solely on your design and provide you with a one-to-one service which is something that tends to be lacking in large corporations. Freelance designers have their necks in the noose and they have to go the extra distance to build up a portfolio of work. You`ll always be in touch with the freelancer who provides
Graphic Design Manchester and this will instill a great deal of confidence into you.
WOW they were great... and it got me thinking...Jesse`s approach to monster car design is directly related to leading successful eLearning programs. Here`s why...
Each episode starts with a sketch of the "dream machine" and Jesse`s verbal description of what he expects the machine to do. Just like Jesse`s articulated vision, the training project leader has to be able to articulate the program vision and expectations to his boss and the team. If you can`t describe the training purpose, it`s time to re-think the project!
The Monster Garage rules are simple:
1) When completed, the monster machine must appear to be stock.
2) The team can spend no more than $3,000 cash for parts.
3) Jesse and his crew have only seven days and nights to design, build and race the machine.
So let`s relate this to your training team... Have you taken time to create a simple set of rules for your team? Maybe you should take a lesson from the Monster Garage pit crew and make this a priority!
For the record, Jesse doesn`t take NO for an answer, and whining is NOT an option. Hmmm... yet another good project managment tip!
Each Monster Garage project starts with a day of planning
Even though the team is running on a very short time schedule, the first full day is set aside for PLANNING. Then the construction begins.
How often have you been tasked with developing a huge training project and no one really bothered to schedule time to PLAN? Using the Monster Garage analogy, if you are planning a 5 week development process, a full week should be devoted to planning. This is a good rule of thumb with about 20% of the project time should be spent in planning. Why? Because you can clearly articulate expectations, conduct essential research, collect information from a variety of stakeholders and produce a solid strategy for achieving the stated objectives. Keep in mind if you fail to plan, you plan to fail...
Just like the Monster Garage creations, online learning projects are big beasts and require a team effort. Jesse assembles his "dream team" based upon individual areas of expertise. He has welders, mechanics, fabricators and custom air-brush painters. His team must make the transformed vehicle not only look good, but "deliver on the promise" of functionality.
Likewise, the training project manager sets the scope with clearly defined roles and responsiblities for each team member:
Researchers determine existing content to leverage and competitive information as well.
Instructional designers look for ways to create standardized templates that facilitate the learning process. They create the instruction sequence and determine the best way to create meaningful activities for accountable training.
Programmers must produce solid error-free code.
Developers take raw content and create lessons while the graphic artist adds visual elements with graphics, animations and color cues. The tighter you define roles and keep people on-track, the better. When it all comes together, a training project is truly a work of art.
And finally....the moment of truth and accountability happens...will the monster creation work? Jesse always takes "the dream machine" out for that victory spin. Just like the monster`s moment of truth, it is inspirational when the AHA moment (light bulb) happens for your students in your beta test. It is fun to see students demonstrate proficiences from the training you created.
When your training team is successful and your training customer are happy, it`s a win-win!! You accomplished what you set out to do. We thank Jesse James and the Monster Garage for his inspiration on project management!
