Estimating Costs and Allocating Resources in an ID Project

 

Greer (2010) outlines a practical approach to project management, focusing on resource allocation and cost estimation as critical components of project success.

Key Steps in Resource Allocation:

1. Define Project Needs: Identify the necessary resources (people, equipment, facilities) required to complete the project effectively.

2. Project Charter: Create a Project Charter that formally recognizes the project and includes support from a high-level manager who can help acquire these resources.

3. Approval Process: Secure approval for the Project Charter from a project sponsor, which is essential for accessing organizational resources.

Greer emphasizes that obtaining formal support not only helps in resource acquisition but also prioritizes projects within the organization, ensuring that resources are allocated to high-priority initiatives.

Cost Estimation Process:

1. Identify Costs: After determining the necessary tasks and resources, estimate the costs associated with each component of the project.

2. Cost Estimation Worksheet: Utilize a Cost Estimation Worksheet to organize and summarize these estimates systematically.

3. Budgeting: Ensure that the estimated costs align with the project's budget constraints and financial goals.

Greer advises that accurate cost estimation is vital for maintaining control over project finances and ensuring that projects remain within budget throughout their lifecycle. This process typically involves analyzing past projects for reference and adjusting estimates based on current conditions and resource availability (Greer, 2010). Overall, Greer's methodology advocates for a lean approach to project management, emphasizing the importance of clarity in resource needs and financial planning to achieve successful project outcomes.

Estimating resources and duration for instructional design (ID) projects can be quite challenging due to the complexity and variability of tasks involved. Here are four valuable resources that can help with these estimations for instructional design (ID) projects:

 1. eLearning Industry: Resource Management in Instructional Design

Description and Evaluation:

This guide from eLearning Industry provides comprehensive insights into resource planning, efficient budget allocation, time management techniques, team optimization, and collaboration strategies specific to instructional design projects (eLearning Industry, 2023). It emphasizes the importance of balancing time, budget, and team resources to overcome constraints and enhance project outcomes.

Most Helpful Aspect:

The most helpful aspect of this resource is its detailed strategies for optimizing time and budget while managing team resources effectively. It offers practical tips on how to allocate resources based on availability and skillsets, which is crucial for accurate project planning.

Usage:

I would use this resource to develop a detailed project schedule by identifying key tasks, estimating their durations, and assigning resources based on their expertise and availability. This would help in creating a realistic timeline and budget for the project.

 2. Project Management Institute (PMI): Five Keys to Accurate Project Estimating

Description and Evaluation:

This article from PMI outlines five essential steps for accurate project estimating, including estimating work package and task durations, developing the project schedule, analyzing the critical path, evaluating results, and reconciling the budget and estimates (PMI, 2008). It provides a structured approach to project estimation, which is crucial for managing complex instructional design projects.

Most Helpful Aspect:

The most helpful aspect of this resource is its focus on critical path analysis and the reconciliation of budget and estimates. This ensures that all aspects of the project are aligned and that any discrepancies are addressed promptly.

Usage:

I would use this resource to refine the project schedule by identifying the critical path and ensuring that all tasks are accurately estimated and aligned with the overall project goals. This would help in maintaining control over the project timeline and budget.

3. Time Estimates for eLearning Development  Experiencing eLearning

Description and Evaluation:

This blog post by Christy Tucker provides detailed insights into estimating the time required for eLearning development. It discusses benchmarks from Bryan Chapman’s research and the 2017 ATD research by Karl Kapp and Robyn Defelice. The post breaks down the time required for different tasks such as front-end analysis, instructional design, storyboarding, graphic production, video production, and audio production (Tucker, 2019).

Most Helpful Aspect:

The most helpful aspect of this resource is the detailed breakdown of time estimates for various tasks involved in eLearning development. This can be particularly useful for creating accurate project schedules and budgets. For example, Tucker mentions that developing in authoring tools like Captivate and Storyline generally takes about 2 hours per finished minute of eLearning content (Tucker, 2019).

Usage:

I would use this resource to benchmark my own time estimates against industry standards. By comparing my actual project times with these benchmarks, I can refine my estimates and improve the accuracy of my project planning.

 4. eLearning Development Calculator  eLearningArt

Description and Evaluation:

The eLearning Development Calculator on eLearningArt’s website helps estimate course length, development time, and hourly costs. This tool allows users to input various parameters to calculate the total cost and time required for eLearning projects (eLearningArt, n.d.).

Most Helpful Aspect:

The most helpful feature of this tool is its ability to provide a quick and customizable estimate based on specific project details. This can be incredibly useful for initial project planning and budgeting, allowing for adjustments based on real time data and project scope (eLearningArt, n.d.).

Usage:

I would use this calculator to get a preliminary estimate of project costs and durations. This would help in setting realistic timelines and budgets, which can then be refined as more detailed project information becomes available.

Conclusion

In instructional design projects, effective resource allocation and precise cost estimation are crucial for achieving desired outcomes. Allocating resources involves identifying and securing the necessary personnel, tools, and materials to facilitate the development of educational content. This process should begin with a clear understanding of project requirements and stakeholder needs, ensuring that all essential resources are available when needed. Cost estimation, on the other hand, requires a thorough analysis of all potential expenses associated with the project, including labor, technology, and materials. By employing structured worksheets and templates, project managers can create detailed budgets that align with organizational goals. Ultimately, a well-planned approach to resource allocation and cost estimation not only enhances project efficiency but also supports the successful delivery of high-quality instructional materials within budgetary constraints.

 

References

Greer, M. (2010). The project management minimalist: Just enough PM to rock your projects! (Laureate custom ed.). Walden University Canvas. https://waldenu.instructure.com

eLearningArt. (n.d.). eLearning Development Calculator. Retrieved from https://elearningart.com/developmentcalculator/

eLearning Industry. (2023, July 9). Resource Management in Instructional Design. Retrieved from https://elearningindustry.com/optimizingresourcemanagementininstructionaldesignprojects

Project Management Institute. (2008, October 19). Five Keys to Accurate Project Estimating. Retrieved from https://www.pmi.org/learning/library/fivekeysaccurateprojectestimating6927

Tucker, C. (2019, May 21). Time Estimates for eLearning Development. Experiencing eLearning. Retrieved from https://christytuckerlearning.com/timeestimatesforelearningdevelopment/