With every project, a complex orchestration of tasks occurs. Our focus on project management, and the vast experience of our project management team, has led us to develop, document, and practice efficient production methodologies. Each project begins with a look at the big picture - what is the project timeline, specification and budget, and drill down to each and every task detail. We look for ways to build in efficiencies to save time and allow us to focus as much time as possible on enhancing the end product. In some cases we have taken this a step further and built our own proprietary tools to support the production process.

In the case of the RRSC project for Bank of America, we used a methodology (Modular Development Process) and created a tool (Layout Guide) that allowed completion of this six-hour course in just six weeks. But meeting the deadline isn’t the end of this story. We created a highly effective, SCORM-compliant training with software emulation – and received high marks from our client for our creative, engineering and project management skills. (You can learn more about our instructional design approach to this course revamp in the Inspired Instructional Design section.)

Following is more detail on the project management methodologies and tools used in the RRSC project.

Modular Development Process

This project entailed revamping an existing course, adding new content, screenshots, practice exercises, and assessment. The training needed to be SCORM-compliant, and incorporate a new profiling feature that provided unique content to three lines of business. Though we were leveraging some existing work, the six-week project timeline was aggressive nonetheless. In order to meet the deadline, we created a modular schedule with simultaneous development tracks.

The modular development process allowed us to employ resources in parallel by staggering the workflow, in essence allowing work that normally requires a linear schedule to be produced in a much shorter time period. While one module was in the review stage of the process, a second was in production, and a third was in storyboards. Each module became a smaller, more manageable element for our developers, and for our client, who needed to participate in each review stage.

Layout Guide

The layout guide was developed by the SweetRush project manager for the development staff, who were compiling training content and graphics in Trivantis’ Lectora. Since Lectora allows the developer to set coordinates for each element on the page, it became necessary to standardize the location of elements not part of the template, such as the page header, text content, buttons, and screenshots. The guide became an essential production tool, with great results:

• Increased speed and efficiency
• Consistency in positioning from page to page
• Assisted in getting new team members up to speed

Here is one example screen from the layout guide, which provides notes for the Assessment page template.

This project was finished successfully, on time, and resulted in a follow-up project from the same client. Our project management staff takes great pride in creating a tailored production pipeline for each project – and in rising to the unique challenge that every project presents.