Project management learning tools

In this work, we present a novel and structured system that employs mind maps and knowledge enhancement and enrichment approaches, in order to develop an interactive, e-learning tool for project management education. A mind map is a diagram used to represent words, ideas, tasks, or other items arranged and linked to a central key word or idea.

Mind maps are used to generate, visualize, structure, and classify ideas, and as an aid in study, organization, problem solving, decision making, and writing. The use of mind maps bridges the gap between the conceptual and process-oriented knowledge representation that is inherent in project management education. The tool developed is adaptive, interactive, expert-based, easy to enrich, and open in terms of structure.

The tool enables e-learning and is easy to use in any browsing platform. We demonstrate the design concepts and guidelines and highlight its benefits in the professional development of project management; furthermore, we show that the process-oriented methodology is maintained and mapped unambiguously to an HTML product. The primary purpose of this article is to present all of the necessary elements for the development of an online e-learning tool, and to correlate them in an effective way in order to increase its adoption for educational purposes.

E-learning is an essential element in the majority of modern management teaching methods, so it could not be excluded by one of the most distinguished branches of administration, namely, project management. The presented tool is an expert-based, adaptive, and interactive online knowledge database. Its objectives are to facilitate the introduction of beginner learners to basic concepts of project management through the systematic formulation of process-oriented methods, and to offer a self-evaluation mechanism that enables the evolution of knowledge for the learner.

This article is structured as follows. In the second section, we briefly review the literature and introduce basic concepts, we highlight the items necessary for the development of the tool, and stress the importance of e-learning in modern education; the key differences between guidebooks and textbooks are also emphasized in this section.

The article culminates with conclusions, contributions, and guidelines for future research. A mind map is a diagram used to represent words, ideas, tasks, or other items arranged and linked to a central key, word, or idea Wikipedia, n. The elements of the map concepts are usually enclosed in definite shapes of some type nodes attached to each other by drawn lines.

Frequently, words on the lines referred to as linking words or linking phrases specify the density of the relationship between the two concepts. As mind maps are considered to be critical for the final outcome of the educational process, Jonassen indicates that the technique of conceptual mapping is an intermediary learning tool that promotes the development of new knowledge, enhances interaction, and involves people in cognitive processes for analysis and the critical encounter of the content of teaching, as well as the organization and representation of knowledge, taking into account the social and cultural environment.

Conclusively, through this particular mind mapping feature, this study makes an attempt to embed mind maps in project management training. The most typical characteristics of e-learning remain the ease in accessibility and handling of information in a self-paced Obringer, way, along with its applauded adaptability, bringing users one step closer to its learning objectives.

The existence of ample material in digital form has boosted the evolution of e-learning tools and practices. The relationships between processes and their respective subtopics inputs, outputs, tools, and techniques are portrayed in a mind map by hyperlinks.

Further information is provided in section 3. In that sense, it enumerates the tools and techniques, inputs and outputs, step-by-step directions on processes, and possibly some templates, but it hardly elaborates on the application of these techniques, not does it give any paradigm of application, case study, or self-assessment opportunities, which would be instead the purpose of a textbook or of supplementary software products.

The tool brings to the learner the combined benefits of formalistic thinking and open, elaborate, moderated information. The procedure of modeling includes four steps:. At the end of the map, an extra chapter, relevant with training and certification information based on project management issues, was added.

Once the construction of the main body of the PM-Pedia has come to a mature level, the elements are conceptually correlated; that is, outputs of processes are fed as inputs to other processes.

Evidently, the operational structure of mind maps facilitates information feedback through simple hyperlinks, as is clearly depicted in the final form of the model. The exported mind map is easy to use as a normal web page in a learning environment. The respective exhibits throughout the evolution of the model development are shown in the appendix. The structure of the model as a website and the near real-time data uploading through an administrator are the main features of the tool, which provides accessibility and availability among online users and does not need extra portable storing means, as in the case of an e-book or a software package.

This is because HTML applications have become the most widespread means of acquiring information, both in the business and the personal levels. In reality, mind maps are considered to be a dignified characteristic of a webpage, but due to their suitability for project management education, they are even more important. The importance of information feedback during a project in association with the interactions between processes prompts for the use of hyperlinks as a means of item conjunction within an HTML application.

Hyperlinks facilitate information gathering and accessing, hence the inclination to use an HTML-based website as the definitive version of the model.

MS Project is one such tool that has won the hearts of project managers all over the world. MS Project can be used as a standalone tool for tracking project progress or it can be used for tracking complex projects distributed in many geographical areas and managed by a number of project managers.

There are many other software packages for project management in addition to MS Project. Most of these new additions are online portals for project management activities where the project members have access to project details and progress from anywhere. A comprehensive project review mechanism is a great tool for project management. More mature companies tend to have more strict and comprehensive project reviews as opposed to basic ones done by smaller organizations.

In project reviews, the project progress and the adherence to the process standards are mainly considered. Usually, project reviews are accompanied by project audits by a 3rd party internal or external. Delivery reviews make sure that the deliveries made by the project team meet the customer requirements and adhere to the general guidelines of quality. Usually, a 3rd party team or supervisors internal conduct the delivery review and the main stakeholders of the project delivery do participate for this event.

The delivery review may decide to reject the delivery due to the quality standards and non-compliances. When it comes to performance of the project team, a scorecard is the way of tracking it. Every project manager is responsible of accessing the performance of the team members and reporting it to the upper management and HR.

This information is then used for promotion purposes as well as human resource development. A comprehensive score card and performance assessment can place the team member in the correct position. These tools do not have to be renowned software or something, but it can pretty well be simple and proven techniques to manage project work. Having a solid set of project management tools always makes project managers' work pleasurable and productive.

It is perfect for managing animation projects. All-in-one is the highlight. ClickUp is flexible and customizable. It allows users to operate on many levels from team management to company management.

Also, you can customize every view, depending on your management style. Learning , we use ClickUp to manage our animation projects. Generally, each project has different animations videos. So we put them into tasks. ClickUp is a simple way to arrange them via status:. In each task video , ClickUp provides tools for project description input, output, guide , assignee, to-do lists, and deadline settings.

In the to-do list, you can divide your task into smaller ones with smaller goals. ClickUp allows the sharing of tasks between F. The tool will send email reminders of every activity directly to people involved. Some of F. They can easily change the view from board to calendar:. Asana offers creative management for designers to track their work. Asana is famous for its friendly display. Also, task management and workflow are flexible and elegant.

The project manager easily monitors animation team members and tracks their workload.