Project Management in ID

The two biggest strategies are planning (insert echo...planning...planning) and communications. Project manager is a deceptively simple title. You manage people, resources, time, objectives, stakeholders, project scope, communications, risks, and revisions to name just a few of the job expectations. This can and is often combined with instructional design.

Project management is about planning and communicating. Plan the project vision and goals, plan the roles and responsibilities, plan for the risks, plan the scope, plan schedule, and plan how to communicate with the stakeholders and team members. Then communicate the project vision, scope, and goals, communicate the roles and responsibilities, communicate when and how risks will be addressed, and communicate the schedule to the necessary stakeholders.

Lack of planning and lack of communication can quickly derail the project. At best it can cause additional time, resources, and scope for the project to get back on track and at worst it can completely derail a project, fail to meet stakeholder and client expectations, or cause serious harm to a company.

What are your thoughts on the most important project management skills?