Managing an educational technology (edtech) project can be complex job that feels too big to tackle. However, by following these five proven steps, you can effectively work through the process and be one step closer to success.
If you’re like most of the clients we work with, you could be on a tiny team–maybe just you and one other person. That means you’re in the unusual position of being executive staff, mail room clerk and chief learning officer (CLO) all at the same time. Everyone can lick an envelope, but not everyone feels comfortable taking the role of CLO with no tech background. That can feel intimidating if you’re new to online training.
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Yet that’s just what happens when you embark on a new training project. Starting with planning and launching to measuring success and evaluation, this guide will provide you with the necessary tools and tips to manage your edtech project. Here are a few things you can do make sure the development of your new course goes smoothly.
Step 1: Define clear goals and objectives.
The first step in managing edtech projects is to define clear goals and objectives. This involves identifying what you want to achieve with the project and setting specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals.
This is a good time to start polling the people you work with, because people at your organization may have different ideas about how the course should work than you do. Start with a needs assessment, and put all the feedback and ideas into a big list.
Clearly define your goals and objectives, and get your larger team to participate, and that means everyone involved in the project is on the same page and working towards a common purpose. This will also help you track progress and evaluate the success of the project once it is completed.
Step 2: Create a detailed project plan and timeline.
Once you have defined your goals and objectives, the next step in managing edtech projects is to create a detailed project plan and timeline. This plan should outline all the tasks and activities that need to be completed, as well as the deadlines for each task. It should also include a timeline that shows the sequence of tasks and the estimated duration for each task.
This strategy helps to prioritize. Look to your needs assessment. It will help you compile a wish list of what you want on in your course. Now prioritize and make sure everything there supports your learning goals. If you don’t define scope, your project could go on forever and cost more than you have.
You might find it helpful to divide your list into three sections:
- Must Have
- Will Need
- Nice to Have
Be prepared to take out a clean sheet of paper for any additional items you think of during the project. We advise our clients to set aside an additional 15% of the budget for these unforeseen issues. Anything else you can get to these items during round two. Six months from launch is a good time to think of scheduling this round two.
Step 3: Assemble a skilled and dedicated team.
One of the most important steps in managing edtech projects is putting together a skilled and dedicated team. This team should consist of individuals who have the necessary expertise and experience to successfully complete the project. It’s important to carefully select team members who have the right skills and knowledge for the specific tasks involved in the project.
While you’re at it, appoint a traffic cop. This might be a manager, or it might not. During your project development, you need someone to be the central command between your organization and the development team. This traffic cop doesn’t need to know about training or technology, but they should be organized, good at delivering information and have the ability to call the shots when needed.
Overall, team members should be dedicated and committed to the project’s success. If they’re not involved and engaged, you’ll be missing people who are working towards the same goal.
Step 4: Communicate and collaborate.
Clear communication and collaboration are the two most important parts of successfully managing edtech projects. Set clear lines of communication and make sure that all team members are on the same page. This can be done through regular team meetings, email updates, and project management tools.
Additionally, building a collaborative environment where team members feel comfortable sharing ideas and working together can lead to more innovative and s
Consider creating a feedback forum for others. It’s nice to have a web form or survey somewhere where people can drop comments and ideas during development and beyond. Online courses should always be in motion. Use feedback as way to make sure your site does what you want it to as your organization evolves.
Step 5: Monitor progress and make adjustments as needed.
By now, you might be feeling like you’ve got this project under control. Don’t give up! Keep monitoring the progress of your edtech project so that it stays on track and meets its goals.
Regularly review the project timeline, milestones, and deliverables to assess if everything is progressing as planned. This can be done through regular check-ins with team members, reviewing project documentation, and tracking key metrics and indicators of success.
If you notice any issues or challenges, it’s important to address them promptly and make adjustments as needed. This could involve reallocating resources, revising timelines, or reevaluating project priorities. By staying vigilant and proactive in monitoring progress, you can ensure that your edtech project stays on course and achieves its desired outcomes.
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