Guiding team-based project work using a project management framework

11:00-11:45 and 1:00-1:45

https://westminsteredu.zoom.us/j/91279985418?pwd=SWxSaWloTlJ4Ry90bGsya2p6THpBdz09

Meeting ID: 912 7998 5418

Passcode: 541511

Led by Brian Petrus, Helen Boylan, and Alison DuBois (Westminster College)

The Environmental Project Management Academy (EPMA) uses ZOHO Projects, a cloud-based project management software, as a way to efficiently plan, track, and collaborate on cross-disciplinary projects.  Due to its simplistic and user-friendly interface, students are able to perform the following activities within minimal software training:

• Plan project activities and milestones, assign work, management resources, and collaborate on assignments
• Use Gantt charts to build project plans, track task schedules, map critical tasks and task dependencies, and assess deviations between planned and actual progress
• Log billable and non-billable hours and track project budgets

This breakout session will focus on project management frameworks and techniques that take place without ZOHO software integration.  Participants will collaborate in small groups on the development of appropriate milestones, task lists, and individual tasks associated with a home garden project.  Using the milestones and task lists, the groups will develop a Gantt chart that visually represents the project lifespan.  Participants will reconvene for a whole-group conversation related to the development and analysis of their project files.  The session will end with a brief tutorial of ZOHO Projects.    

Participants will be given an opportunity to brainstorm and discuss ways basic project management frameworks might apply to their course architectures and/or student project work.