Project Management Resources

This page provides resources and information related to project management, including documents, websites, videos, presentations, and other information.

iDigBio Presentations on Project Management Topics

Date	Content Name	Brief Summary	Links
6/22/2022	Project Management Essentials	Presentation given as part of the 2022 Entomological Collections Management Workshop.	Presentation
11/3/2021	Project management and data mobilization considerations for digitization networks	Digitization networks, such as the NSF-funded Thematic Collections Networks (TCNs), are a key stakeholder group for iDigBio, and we provide space for these networks to connect not only with us but also with each other to share and learn from each other’s experience. iDigBio Project Manager, David Jennings, and Biodiversity Informatics Coordinator, Cat Chapman, will offer suggestions for how multi-institutional networks can streamline their digitization project management, when to look to iDigBio for support, and how to get digitized biodiversity collections data mobilized.	Webinar Recording Presentation Slides
10/27/2020	Virtual Project Management, Tips and Tools	This informative webinar focused on the basics of project management followed by lessons learned from the iDigBio community through managing multi-institution digitization projects (e.g. ADBC Thematic Collections Networks). Topics to include: organization, project tracking, communication strategies, and compiling and preparing reports. There will also be time for Q&A at the end of the webinar. Speakers were Diego Barroso, Jen Zaspel, and David Jennings.	Webinar Recording Presentation Slides
7/20/2017	Effectively Managing Your Digitization Project	Lecture given as part of the Entomological Collections Management Workshop II.	Presentation
11/3/2016	Effectively Managing Your Digitization Project Discussion Group	This session brainstormed strategies for effectively managing your digitization project and discussed the importance of project management and administration in keeping your digitization project on time and within budget. The group brainstormed ideas and techniques based on collective experience and lessons learned.	Food-for-Thought Presentation Discussion Notes
11/5/2015	Project Management Discussion Group	This breakout group at iDigBio Summit V discussed the importance of project management and administration in keeping projects on time and within budget. The group discussed lessons learned, what worked, and what didn't work based on personal experiences and then brainstormed new approaches. We encouraged older TCNs to mentor and advise the younger TCNs.	Discussion Notes Breakout Group Report
11/4/2015	Introduction to Project Management	This session at iDigBio Summit V provided an overview of the technical and artistic aspects of project management, including some strategies and tactics for adapting to situations and driving things forward.	Presentation Recording
4/14/2015	Digitization Project Management	Two presentations at the International Digitization Summit in Canberra, Australia, about project management for digitization projects. Ther was also a discussion group on the same topic.	Showcase Day Presentation Introductory presentation for discussion group Discussion group notes
10/27/2014	Project Management, Administration, & Mentoring	This breakout group at iDigBio Summit IV discussed the importance of project management & administration in keeping your project on time and within budget. The group discussed lessons learned, what worked, and what didn't work based on our experience and then brainstormed new approaches. We encouraged older TCNs to mentor & advise the younger TCNs.	Discussion Notes Breakout Group Report
10/16/2014	Project Management Webinar	Effective project management requires a balance of technical skills (the "science") with people skills (the "art"). Technical skills include areas such as planning, estimating, measuring, and controlling. In contrast, people skills include areas such as leading, enabling, motivating, and communicating. Successful project managers are flexible in applying their knowledge and skills in both areas in the correct combination and proportion to keep projects moving forward. This session will provide an overview of the technical and artistic aspects of project management, including some strategies and tactics for adapting to situations and driving things forward.	Webinar Presentation Recording
11/20/2013	The Art and Science of Project Management	Breakout discussion group at iDigBio's Summit III focused on balancing the scientific and artistic (technical and people skills) in project management. Strategies and tactics for adapting to situations and driving things forward.	Presentation
5/31/2012	Business Process Modeling	Training session at iDigBio's Object-to-Image-to-Data Workshop focused on business process management and modeling.	Presentation Recording
5/30/2012	Social Issues in Collaborative Digitization	Presentation at iDigBio's Object-to-Image-to-Data Workshop focused on social issues in collaborative digitization: people, culture, and change.	Presentation Recording

Some Thoughts and Recommendations

• Project management focuses the team on goals and outcomes and provides a structure for success
• Identify a suitable person to manage project – skill set, temperament, commitment
• Project plan – get and stay organized; anticipate & plan for risks & change; interface with institutional procedures
• Flexibility in all aspects – don’t be schedule or budget driven, but rather outcome driven
• Decisions – often easier to beg for forgiveness than to ask for permission
• Communication – utilize various media to reach different kinds of people; hold regular meetings; keep stakeholders involved
• Seek out lessons learned – what works; what doesn’t; mentoring
• Delegate – don’t attempt to do everything
• Leadership is always important
• Balance your time, resources, and scope

Some Potentially Useful Tools

• Documents & budgeting
  • Google Docs
  • Microsoft Office
  • LibreOffice
• Scheduling
  • Microsoft Project - generally considered to be "the standard"
  • ProjectLibre - "open source replacement of Microsoft Project"
• Project Management
  • OpenAtrium
  • Basecamp
  • OpenProject
  • Redmine
  • asana

Project Management Resources

• Project Management Institute
• IBM Project Management Primer
• U.S. Government Resources on Project Management
• FAI Project Manager's Guidebook

Example Job Descriptions

• Project Manager Description
• Assistant Project Manager Description
• Project Assistant Description
• Program Assistant Description
• Project Coordinator Description
• SERNEC Project Manager

Example Project Management Certification Programs

• Project Management Professional (PMP)
• Certified International Project Manager (IAPM)
• Google Project Management Certificate
• CompTIA Project+