The Domain of Management involves controlling instructional technology through planning, organizing, coordinating and supervising (Seels & Richy, 1994, p.49). The management domain is very critical for the success of implementation and delivery of instruction. Instructional designers organize the instructional project to operate effectively and efficiently. Since this process is a major foundation block for the field, the instructional designer can be described as a manager in their role in this domain. Examples of the roles an instructional designer demonstrate are: leadership skills , motivational skills, coaching, provides direction and support, monitors performance, delegates the step of the process, as well as practice excellent communication skills. As a manger the instructional designer’s responsibilities include planning and implementing all phases and steps of a technology project, such as setting timelines, milestones, job responsibilities, team assignments and tracking tasks, all of which are essential to meeting determined project goals. In conclusion, Phillips (2002) describes project management as the ability to administer a series of sequential tasks that result in a desired goal.
Project management as a concept, was “first introduced as efficient and effective way to bring together a group of people whose knowledge and expertise matched up to a unique situational and technical demands posed by a given work assignment” (Rothwell and Kazanas, 1992, p.264). Project managers negotiate, budget, install information monitoring systems, and evaluate progress and improvement. Project managers need a variety of skills and are responsible for all aspects of the project including establishing change teams, budgeting, facility management, and evaluating the progress of the project. Resource management “involves planning, monitoring, and controlling resource support systems and services" (Seels & Richey, 1994, p. 51). Resources include people – from subject matter experts to learners, individuals, stakeholders and teams – as well as the budgets, time, space, equipment and materials required to produce and implement the instruction This includes documentation of cost effectiveness and justification of effectiveness or efficiency for learning as well as the resources of personnel, budget, supplies, time, facilities, and instructional resources. Delivery System Management involves planning, monitoring and controlling 'the method by which distribution of instructional materials is organized' . . . [It is] a combination of medium and method of usage that is employed to present instructional information to a learner" (Seels & Richey, 1994, p. 51). This includes attention to hardware and software requirements, technical support for the users and developers, and process issues such as guidelines for designers, instructors, and ECIT support personnel. |