Management of Project

Back to RM Resources.



Communication Tools (5 Links)  Meet-o-Matic. Good old Meet-o-matic, "the world's simplest meeting scheduler" - where would we be without it! A free online group meeting scheduler which allows users to select the dates they are available so that a single meeting can be made when everyone is available. Whilst it doesn't allow fine detail (you can only select am or pm), it doesn't require any log-in and notifies the administrator of the best fit. 

Powwownow. A telephone conference call provider which doesn't have any set-up fees. Each caller including the chair pays the same amount - around 4.3p + VAT per minute. Calls show up on your 'phone bill. It's very easy to set up - the administrator gets a pin code from the website and circulates this along with the Powwownow telephone number to the rest of the delegates. I've used this a lot and so far, all calls have been successful and clear. 

Skype. A VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) application, which you download to your computer and which then allows you to text chat or voice chat for free to others. You will need to set up a unique Skype name which you then pass to people you want to contact (they will also need to download Skype). Speakers and a microphone or a headset are required for voice chat. Video chat is also possible if you have a webcam, although be aware that if you have low bandwidth, the video will update very slowly, if at all. It's ideal for voice chatting with two or three people, but any more than that and the quality becomes very poor. Even chatting with just one person can sometimes end up being rather gurgly (a bit like someone swimming with dolphins and trying to sing Rule Britannia at the same time), but other times it can be very clear. Another staple in the communications toolset. 

SuperSaaS. SuperSaaS is a free online scheduler which allows users to select an appointment slot for site visits, project update calls, etc. If differs from applications such as Meet-o-Matic which only allows users to state when they are free and then determines the best availability for everyone for a single meeting. SuperSaaS has many configuration options, including allowing anyone to make an appointment without requiring a log-in, whilst this is not secure, if the scheduler address is sent only to those you want to make an appointment, then you should be OK. It can be configured to send the administrator an update every day of new appointments made. This is the only free online version that doesn't require appointment makers to log in - although you can only have 50 forward appointments at a time. I love it! 

Twitter. Twitter can keep you in touch with fellow Twitterers or those who bring in Twitter feeds in 140 characters or less. You need to set up a Twitter user name and unless you want to keep visiting the Twitter webpage, a Twitter client. There are many free ones out there. If you have a project, you can set up a Twitter hashtag, e.g. #rminhe, to tag all your posts about a particular topic, such as your project. Does this bring anything to the project management party? I'm still not sure. It may be yet another way of communicating (publically) but can be a quick way to keep people up to date with events, progress, useful links etc. This Slideshare presentation on Twitter: Getting Started is a good introduction. 

Back to Top of Page

JISC Project Management (6 Links)  Blogging. This is a brief guide to blogging and using the shared blogs. 

Critical Friends: An Effective Practice Guide. This JISC funded resource summarises the current guidance associated with the role of critical friends and provides links to further resources. The advice is based on the experience of critical friends from the JISC and HEA (Higher Education Academy) initiatives. </li>

Deliverables for the JISC Relationship Management Phase 2 Projects (CRM Handbook; Retention, Progression and Non-completion; Alumni) 2010-2012. A collection of documents and templates and key dates for the JISC Relationship Management Programme: Phase 2 2010-2012. </li>

JISC Grant Funding 13/10 Relationship Management Programme: Phase 2 Call. The call for projects to submit proposals for funding for the JISC Relationship Management Programme: Phase 2 2010-2012. </li>

Project Clusters. A list of the project clusters and the rationale for this. </li>

Project Management Guidelines. Templates and guidelines for running a JISC funded project. It also includes a link to Six Steps to Effective Evaluation (PDF Format - 436Kb) - an evaluation handbook, which includes guidlines, checklists and templates. </li></ol>

Back to Top of Page

Measuring Outcomes (1 Link)  JISC Emerge: a User-Centred Social Learning Media Hub - Supporting the Users and Innovation R&D Community Network (PDF Format - 1.9Mb). The chapter on "Successful Approaches to Benefits Realisation" (page 39) gives an overview of the Benefits Realisation approach in the Users and Innovation Programme. It describes the activities used in the approach and gives examples. </li></ol>

Image by svilen001.

End of Management of Project: Back to Top of Page