Jennifer is the Wrap Up Speaker for the eLearning Showcase

1. Project Management for
Rapid eLearning Projects
© 2008 BlueStreak Learning, LLC
1
Jennifer De Vries, CPT
President and
Chief Solutions Architect
Over 20 years of experience in the
e-learning industry
Managed e-learning programs for Joint Commission
(JCAHO), IBM, Motorola, Galileo International and
Thomson/NETg
Researcher, writer and speaker at major training
industry events
Wrote first Rapid eLearning research report for Bersin
& Associates in 2004
© 2008 BlueStreak Learning, LLC 2

2. Case Study
35 lessons in 35 business days (7 weeks)
On-time delivery of all lessons is critical
10 to 20 minutes each
Content is from a procedure manual, written in
legalese
Needs to be fully scripted for VO
Include 2-6 interactions per lesson
Possible or Impossible???
Case Study
35 lessons in 35 business days (7 weeks)
On-time delivery of all lessons is critical
10 to 20 minutes each
Content is from a procedure manual, written in
legalese
Needs to be fully scripted for VO
Include 2-6 interactions per lesson
What would you say/request?

3. Agenda
In this situation, the most important items
to address are:
Development methodology/process
Realistic project schedule
Selecting team members
Tracking progress and managing risks
Client/Manager expectations
Your own quality of life
My Start in Rapid eLearning
Motorola engineer
e-learning example

4. Rapid eLearning Definition
Courseware which can be developed in
weeks instead of months
Use tool of choice for SME’s (PowerPoint)
and/or user-friendly templates as starting Use when
point for courseware deadlines are
Provide simple assessment, feedback and short and
tracking critical
Add media elements which enhance learning
but do not create technology barriers (voice)
Includes synchronous (scheduled) and
asynchronous (self-paced) models
Can be instructionally sound, rather than just
being presentations
Discussion
What do you think of using SME-
developed content as a starting
point for courseware
development? What are the pros
and cons?

5. Development Methodology/Process
Use SME content as a base
Assume they know the audience and
content
SME ID
Question things that don’t make sense
Establish a robust editing and
enhancement process
Automate and streamline as much as
possible
PowerPoint storyboarding PM
Think ASSEMBLY LINES!!
Roles, responsibilities and handoffs are
clear
Set standards, build templates and put
QA process in place
Multiple lines operating concurrently
Our Process for Each Lesson
ID SME ID PM
Re-write slides Review revised
Revise per Approve
Add photos/graphics content for
SME comments storyboard
Write VO accuracy
Author Author Author ID PM
Strip SB Notes and Add Sync VO into Review Approve
Convert with Articulate interactions Articulate lesson lesson lesson
VO
Record VO

6. Discussion
What questions do you have
about Rapid eLearning
development processes?
Scheduling Concept
VO
Assembly Line #1 Authors Assembly Line #2

7. Establish a Realistic Schedule
Establish number of days for each task
Map out process steps across spreadsheet
Schedule the tasks for each lesson
Assume at least two assembly lines
Put an ID in charge of each lesson
Leave the ID a spare day between lessons for
reviews
When you run beyond the deadline, you need
another assembly line
Resource (and budget) accordingly
Selecting Team Members
Don’t try to be a superhero
and do it yourself
Try to recruit people you
know can do the job WELL
Select multi-skilled people as
much as possible
Delegate less work to each
person than you know they
can do

8. Discussion
What are the typical risks we
face with eLearning projects?
Track Progress/Manage Risks
Check off tasks as they are done
Late = visible date later than today
Assess early and often whether you are
generally on-track
When late, determine whether recoverable “as
is”
Reassign or add people if needed
When necessary, ask for overtime in advance
Escalate delays as necessary
Do NOT assume end of assembly line will
make-up for lost time at the beginning

9. Client/Manager Expectations
Content stability and relevance is
key
Level of production and
interactivity
Compare to previous projects
Prototype ASAP
Use project plan
to request appropriate Provides tangible example
resources/budget Refines development process
Consider putting agreements in
writing
The Moral of the Story
When your project is well-
managed, you: For everything there is
a season, a time for
Have time for what you love every activity under
Can nourish your own soul heaven.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 NLT
Give back to causes that you
believe in

10. End of Case Study
35 lessons in 35 days
Everyone maintained sanity and had a life
Finished two days before the deadline
Client loved the curriculum
Discussion
What is your favorite project
management tip.
Please share!

11. Contact Information
Jennifer De Vries, CPT
BlueStreak Learning
jennifer@bluestreaklearning.com
630-842-1865
Thank you for your interest.
© 2008 BlueStreak Learning, LLC 21