Practical Project Management in Libraries

• Do you want to learn techniques that can help you complete projects on time and within budget?
• Would you like to learn how to gain the support and cooperation needed in order to successfully lead project teams?
• Do you want to know how to navigate through the typical phases of the project lifecycle?

Whether it is coordinating an event, renovating a space, creating a program, implementing a grant, or leading another change within the library, library staff are increasingly being called upon to manage projects. Using a systematic approach can help you manage projects, large or small, more effectively. During the course, you will navigate through the typical phases of the project lifecycle. You will discover tools and techniques for planning, organizing and managing projects. You will also learn important skills for developing and leading a successful project team.

In this course, you’ll learn:

• The phases of the project life cycle
• The skills needed to be an effective project manager
• To draft a preliminary project plan
• To create a work breakdown structure
• To communicate effectively with project team members and stakeholders
• Address common project management challenges

This intended audience for this course is library staff who want to improve their ability to manage small and large projects effectively. Individuals who are involved with management and with grant funding will find this course particularly useful.

Course Description: Through readings, an online meeting, assignments, and discussions, this course takes you through the process of effectively managing a project. During the four-week course, you will draft a preliminary project plan. The instructor will provide resources and useful tips that can be applied immediately. You will be encouraged to ask questions and participate in discussions with others.

Course Outline: When you log in to the Infopeople online learning site, you will see weekly modules with these topics:

• Week 1: Introduction to project management
  • Phases of the project life cycle and typical activities involved with project management
  • Skills needed to be an effective project manager
• Week 2: Project planning
  • Preliminary project plan
  • Work breakdown structure
  • Typical functionalities of cost and schedule tracking project management software applications
• Week 3: Working with people
  • How to develop and lead a project team
  • Effective communication with project team members and stakeholders
• Week 4: Project management challenges
  • Common project management challenges
  • Dealing with project management conflicts appropriately

  Pre-course Assignment: None

  Time Required: To complete this course, you can expect to spend 2½ hours per week, for a total of ten course hours. Each week's module contains readings and various options for assignments, discussions, or online meetings. You can choose the options most relevant to your work and interests. Although you can work on each module at your own pace, at any hour of the day or night, it is recommended that you complete each week's work within that week to stay in sync with other learners.

  Who Should Take This Course: Library staff who want to improve their ability to manage small and large projects effectively. Individuals who are involved with management and with grant funding will find this course particularly useful.

  Online Learning Details and System Requirements may be found at: infopeople.org/training/online_learning_details.

  Learner Requirements: None

  After the official end date for the course, the instructor will be available for limited consultation and support for two more weeks, and the course material will stay up for an additional two weeks after that. These extra weeks give those who have fallen behind time to work independently to complete the course.

  Keywords: Planning, Project planning and management