Project Archives

(This article was originally published on Optimal Partners’ blog. Special thanks to Chris Frias, a project manager from the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth, for assistance on this piece.) The construction of new offices and the remodeling of older ones is a large part of the yearly upkeep of Higher Ed IT. Spaces need to be redesignedContinue reading “Top 10 IT Tips For University Office Remodeling or Additions”

(This was originally published on Optimal Partners’ blog.) Project managers are always looking for quicker and more efficient ways to get work done. Every minute saved is another minute that can be used to focus on other tasks, meaning that any advantage you can get goes a long way. Luckily, there are a lot ofContinue reading “Top 9 Lifehacks for Higher Ed IT Project Managers”

(This was originally published on Optimal Partners’ blog.) In our first segment of the How to Migrate to An Online LMS (Learning Management System) series, we gave a general overview for the project, covering the three main stages: planning, configuration and deployment. We’re here to guide you through the details of your project, but part one ofContinue reading “How to Migrate to an Online LMS Part 2: The Planning Stage”

(This was originally published on Optimal Partners’ blog.) Why Implement A Learning Management System? Online courses have become incredibly popular among a large portion of Higher Ed students, and many universities have responded by integrating e-learning into their normal course selection. These courses range from hybrid classes, which combine online assignments with traditional face-to-face learning,Continue reading “How to Migrate to an Online LMS Part 1: The Project Overview”

(This was originally published on Optimal Partners’ blog.) The word entrepreneur is often associated with successful business men and women who take chances on innovative ideas and create business empires, such as Bill Gates and Elon Musk. Despite having different end goals and practices, project managers in Higher Ed IT can learn a lot fromContinue reading “The EPM: Applying Principles of Entrepreneurship to Higher Ed Project Management”

(This was originally published on Optimal Partners’ blog.) Mentoring Benefits Everyone Mentoring is an incredibly rewarding experience. However, effective mentoring can often be difficult while managing a demanding project. Students may unintentionally be left by the wayside and you will need to ensure that they feel useful and engaged. This process takes time; but rememberContinue reading “How to Mentor Students for IT Projects”

(This was originally published on Optimal Partners’ blog.) While it had its ups and downs, last year was ultimately fruitful for Higher Ed technology innovation and improvement. Researchers are now studying how students learn with the help of wearable technology, EdTech professionals are exploring the potential learning opportunities provided by virtual reality, and blockchain is transforming from a buzzword intoContinue reading “4 Most Impactful Higher Ed IT Trends from 2016”

Sometimes, it can feel like Higher Ed IT moves at a snail’s pace; it can be slow to adopt new technologies, slow to get projects underway and slow to make key decisions on projects that go through multiple departments at an institution. While these snags are often unavoidable, there are a few things you can doContinue reading “4 Obvious But Overlooked Ways to Shorten the IT Decision-Making Process”

The success of an IT project in Higher Ed relies heavily on the strength and organization of the team responsible for its completion. That being said, building a dream team of department employees and contractors will not necessarily guarantee that your project runs smoothly. In fact, there are more subtle, and often overlooked, ways to improve theContinue reading “6 Obvious But Overlooked Ways to Increase Your Chances of Project Success”

(This was originally published on Optimal Partners’ blog.) Choosing the right vendor in Higher Ed IT is essential to providing students, faculty, and staff with the technology and services they need. Selecting the wrong vendor could be disastrous for the longevity of your project, potentially putting you massively over budget and past your expected deadlines.Continue reading “6 Overlooked Items to Consider When Choosing a Vendor”