Estimating Costs and Allocating Resources
Effective
project management, particularly for instructional design (ID) projects, hinges
on accurate cost estimation and strategic resource allocation. This week’s focus on estimating costs and
scheduling resources provided valuable insights into overcoming the challenges
of determining activity durations and resource needs. Below, I explore two resources that offer
practical methodologies for managing these challenges and how they can be
applied to ID projects.
Resource
1: Agile Estimation Techniques by Michele Sliger
Sliger
(2012) introduces two innovative approaches for estimation: Planning Poker and
Affinity Grouping. These techniques
deviate from traditional bottom-up methods by emphasizing gross-level
estimation through iterative top-down processes. Planning Poker utilizes the Fibonacci sequence
for relative estimation, fostering team consensus on task complexity without
relying on time-based units. Affinity
Grouping allows teams to quickly categorize items based on size, streamlining
the estimation process for large backlogs.
Evaluation
The
top-down approach presented by Sliger (2012) is particularly effective for
agile environments, where iterative refinements are crucial. These techniques can also be adapted to
instructional design projects where unforeseen challenges require flexibility. Affinity Grouping, for instance, is ideal for
prioritizing learning module development by grouping tasks of similar
complexity, thus expediting the estimation process.
Most
Helpful Insight
Planning
Poker’s focus on relative size rather than time offers a unique way to avoid
overestimation while encouraging team collaboration. This method could be used in ID projects to
ensure stakeholders agree on the scope of activities such as SME consultations
or eLearning content development, reducing risks of delays and resource
misallocation.
Resource
2: The eLearning Guild – Research Library
The eLearning Guild Research Library
The
Learning Guild offers resources tailored to instructional
designers, including research reports, case studies, and budgeting and resource
allocation tools. The library includes a
budgeting calculator that enables users to input project details and receive
estimated costs for instructional design projects. This tool covers various components, such as
SME consultation, multimedia production, and LMS integration (The Learning
Guild, n.d.).
Evaluation
This
resource stands out for its focus on practical tools designed for the eLearning
industry. Its budgeting calculator is
particularly valuable, as it simplifies the complex process of estimating
resource needs. Additionally, the
research reports provide insights into industry standards, helping project
managers align their estimates with market trends.
Most
Helpful Insight
The
budgeting calculator's ability to integrate multimedia costs, often a
challenging variable in ID projects, was the most beneficial aspect of this
resource. Using this tool, I can
identify potential budget overruns early in the planning process and make
necessary adjustments.
Reflection
and Application
The most
challenging aspect of estimating costs and allocating resources in ID projects is
anticipating variability in stakeholder requirements and unexpected delays. Sliger’s (2012) agile estimation techniques
provide a flexible framework for navigating these uncertainties, while the
Learning Guild’s practical tools ensure realistic cost planning. These resources enable instructional designers
to make data-driven decisions and allocate resources effectively.
Applying
these methodologies will enhance my ability to develop adaptive and precise
project schedules and budgets. Leveraging
agile practices like Planning Poker alongside specialized ID tools will equip
me to tackle instructional design complexities confidently.
References
Piskurich,
G. M. (2006). Rapid instructional design: Learning ID fast and right (2nd
ed.). San Francisco, CA: Pfeiffer.
Project
Management Institute. (2021). A guide to the project management body of
knowledge (PMBOK® guide) and the standard for project management (7th
ed.). Newtown Square, PA: Project Management Institute.
Sliger,
M. (2012, October 23). Agile estimation techniques [Paper presentation].
PMI® Global Congress 2012—North America, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Newtown Square, PA: Project Management Institute.https://www.pmi.org/learning/library/agile-project-estimation-techniques-6110
The
Learning Guild. (n.d.). About Guild research. Retrieved from https://www.learningguild.com/category/research/
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Hello Holli, Dr. Harrison and Class,
ReplyDeleteSliger has many techniques and examples of allocating time and resources in different ways including identifying duration issues by comparison.
Example: Agile Estimation Techniques
Directions:
Step 1.
The first item is read to the team members and placed on the wall.
Step 2.
The second item is read and the team is asked if it is smaller or larger than the first item; placement on the wall corresponds to the team's response (larger is to the right, smaller is to the left).
Step 3.
The third item is read and the team is asked if it is smaller or larger than the first and/or second items; the item is placed on the wall accordingly.
Step 4.
Control is then turned over to the team to finish the affinity grouping for the remainder of the items.
One thing I found in my work and in studying program management in school is that you can spend more time setting things up than actually providing instructional services. Unfortunately, the larger the team the more time everything takes and less time can be spent on sharpening productivity because the time and effort to get everyone working together is exhaustive. One thing I am leery of is spending too much time on some scheduling techniques. Because the time invested may be greater than the value of the time saved. The best resource is experienced people because having lived and worked through past projects they know by fact how long some things take and documenting timing issues is unnecessary in their case (Gardner & Allen, 2021, p. 1). A common event is large organizations downsizing to regain effective operations. But everything I see on the Sliger website does help people focus on details productively.
Christopher
References
Gardner, J. & Allen, S. (2021). Project Management Competencies in Instructional Design.
Online Journal of Distance Learning Administration. 24(2).
https://ojdla.com/articles/project-management-competencies-in-instructional-design
Sliger, M. (2012). Agile Estimation Techniques. Project Management Institute.
https://www.pmi.org/learning/library/agile-project-estimation-techniques-6110