Seeking Project Management Advice
As a library student (one term and a bit and counting...), I've tried to learn a little about a lot.
Since you can never be sure where you'll end up, I think this class-selection strategy has helped me become aware of numerous issues in the field, and will help me be flexible in the workplace.
I have also been exposed to areas of the profession I never realized I liked. Much like research, management is an area I never intended to get into, but library school has definitely piqued my interest!
Recently I took a short course on project management. As someone with numerous student library jobs, I have certainly done my fair share of project work that "no one else wants to do". Thus, it was interesting to see how projects grow from the start, and how they can be planned, managed and evaluated to ensure success.
What struck me was that project management can be, and maybe should be, a formal process. In my limited student library jobs experience, I have never noticed any formality surrounding project work.
So it's time for the student to ask for advice...
How does your library deal with projects? Does your library employ a formal process for project management? How does this work? What types of training do you provide to librarians working with projects?
What project management skills do you expect library students to graduate with? How can library students and new librarians acquire these management skills?
What advice can you offer library students, or new librarians, who may find themselves managing projects?
posted by Lisa @ 12:02 AM
2 comments
2 Comments:
Projects come in so many sizes that the same formal project management tools aren't appropriate for them all. For small projects, too much process can take precious time away from the work itself. Having had a course that has given you areas that need to be considered in any project is a good basis for participating in the running of projects. Having good time management skills, being able to keep track of deadlines and learning not to leave everything to the last minute are essential. Pat
Project Management is a formal process. The most common one adopted is the waterfall process (which you might have used in managing your library project).
The way Project Management is implemented is very similar across the board.
A great introduction on formal Project Management is this series: A Project Management Primer. Once you finish reading it, you will know the very basics of Project Management and you will be much more comfortable managing a project.
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