As libraries become more complex, librarians often face the difficult challenges involved in coordinating people, tasks, time and money to see a project meets its goals. Whether you succeed or fail often depends on your leadership and decision making abilities as well as a host of other skills. Discover what tools are needed to ensure the success of your next project. Learn how to oversee all aspects of any size project.

In today’s workplace, the ability to manage projects is an essential skill. Whether you realize it or not, everyone manages projects. Effective project management can make the difference between success and failure, not only for the projects themselves, but also for you and your organization!

This interactive program is filled with practical tools on the essentials of Project Management: Leveraging Efficiency and Teamwork, and can help anyone refresh or enhance their project management skills. Participants will leave this program with the knowledge and tools necessary for successfully initiating, planning, and executing projects, whether large or small!

Schedule

9:00 - 9:30 a.m.
Registration and Coffee

9:30 - 9:40 a.m.
Welcome and Introductions

9:40 - 10:45 a.m.
What is Project Management and How Can it Help You?
Learn efficient and effect techniques within project management along with how schedule, scope and costs are all related. Common project management pitfalls are also discussed with tips to overcome them.

10:45 - 11:00 a.m.
Break

11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
How Can Project Management be used in the Library Setting?
Common challenges in the library setting are discussed. The differences between large and small projects are explored and the importance of alignment and communication within these projects will be tackled in small group exercises.

12:00 - 1:00 p.m.          
Lunch

1:00 - 2:45 p.m.            
How to Organize Your Project
 Learn how to define your project clearly and concisely. Identify the scope, schedule, resources and deliverables to make your project a success (including gaining buy-ins from stakeholders!)

2:45 - 3:00 p.m.            
Break

3:00 - 4:00 p.m.            
Planning for Success!
Develop a real world project plan as a team.

4:00 p.m.          
Wrap-up

Speaker

Brian Cole, Michigan Business Consultants, brings 20 years of work experience offering participants project management strategies for today’s highly competitive and fast-paced workplace.  Brian has helped organizations develop intuitive processes that allow people to efficiently and effectively run projects of all sizes. His experience and PMP certification have allowed him to develop best project management practices for the automotive, industrial, healthcare, and medical industries.

Participants are engaged through a combination of practical applications, intuitive tools, and dynamic exercises. He involves the audience in a way that allows for collaboration, self-reflection, and hands-on practice to ensure sustainable results.  

Brian easily connects with his audiences through his open and energetic facilitation style where participants learn through real-world examples provided by the group. He breaks down project management into three critical components: schedule, scope, & cost and also discusses how to provide a motivating environment for the most important resource of all, people.  For without the support of the people, a project cannot succeed.

Registration Rates

Early Bird Registration Deadline: March 13, 2015
Advance Registration Deadline: March 19, 2015

*subject to space limitations

In order to qualify for member rates, attendees must hold current individual MLA membership. Organizational membership does not apply. For more information about MLA individual and organizational membership, please visit Membership Value and Benefits.

Resources

Project Management-Communication Plan

Project Management-Project Charter Checklist

Project Management-Project Charter

Project Management-Project Closeout Report

Project Management-Project Kick Off Meeting

Project Marketing-Participant Handout

Project Status Report