Week 2 Project Manager 15/5 (1)

As my first 15/5 posting for Team ALIVe, I'd just like to thank my teammates for all of their hard work and effort over the past week. I really feel like we've gone from nothing to at least something in a very short period of time. Granted, I know we still have much to do. In fact, things seem sort of insurmountable right now. I know if we just stick together and help each other through every step of this long journey, though, then we'll be just fine.

As far as what we've accomplished this week, I think what we've done we've done well so far. With the exception of direct contact via phone (which is out of our control at this point), we have had and continue to have a good line of communication set up with our client. Dr. Barbour was nice enough to get back with us last Friday and has since emailed again to clarify what he is looking for in a project of this magnitude. As a group, we have also begun to dig into the suggested reading Dr. Barbour provided in our first contact. The readings have been relevant and suggestive in nature. They seem to paint a picture and point out the path our project will take. With some verbal clarifications, we should be in good shape moving forward to the next step. Lastly, we've gotten some of the remedial, initial set-up type work out of the way this week. Joy set up our blog, Jea and Eun Ju worked on our graphic, and I've been busy writing and posting the project abstract/client info and preparing for the Job Fair. I'm pretty sure we know what jobs we'll need, but I am still waiting on group feedback before tomorrow night.

As Project Manager, I feel I am in the process of finding my exact role in relation to the other group members. I am also feeling out where each of my teammates are at this point to try to get a sense for timing, job placement, strengths, weaknesses, availability, etc. I know this process will continue, as will my very steep learning curve as PM. I'm quickly learning that there is so much to do; knowing when things need to be done, knowing what needs to be done in the first place, who is going to do get it done, and most importantly, where my limitations are as a very busy person. I just sincerely hope that I can be the leader my team needs to be successful over the next three months.

Next week will be as busy if not busier than this one was for Team ALIVe. Now that we have our client on board, we have a site, a logo (still needs to be finalized), and several 6200 students interested in working with us, it's time to dig deeper into the existing research provided by Dr. Barbour. We also need to gather the articles he mentioned but could not locate on the internet. In addition, we really do need to physically speak with him in order to gain perspective on the upcoming Initial Learner and Content Analyses, the Needs Assessment, and the project as a whole. In addition, we need to make sure we have a firm understanding of our short and long term goals, so as to line those goals up with a time frame in mind. So... we have a lot to think about in the coming days (and I'm sure I've just mentioned a few of those things). I'll be sure to update you in my future reflections in regards to anything that comes up that wasn't mentioned. Time to get to the real work- the fun has only begun!

15/5's

Per Dr. Clinton's request, I'll be posting our weekly group 15/5's to our blog on Wednesdays by 8 PM. It will be written from the Project Manager's perspective about the team as a whole. It will cover:

1. What our team accomplished this week
2. What I accomplished this week
3. What we need to do in the coming week

Check back tomorrow and don't forget to do your own 15/5!

6200 jobs

Team ALIVe- The following is what I posted on the Job Fair site. Let me know if we need to make adjustments before Thursday.

6200 students- Feel free to go ahead and apply. Thanks!

Team ALIVe will need assistance in the following areas:

1st Evaluator- Audrea Bankston
2nd Evaluator- Jennifer Lortz
Content Entry- Erin Noh
Developer (helps with overall development)- Peggy Britt
Graphic Design/Media Editing- Clayton Shaw
Proofreader- Lenrose Fears

Take a look at the project description and our blog, and email us (or grab one of us in class) if you have any questions about what the available positions would entail. We look forward to working with you!

Hope this works!
Joy