PENN STATE
Great Valley School of Graduate Professional Studies
Instructional Systems - INSYS 553 (section 201)
Managing and Consulting for Instructional Development
Fall 2005 (9/6-12/6)
_____________________________________________________________
Course Instructor
Dr. Roy B. Clariana E-mail: RClariana@psu.edu
Great Valley Office: 212D, Safeguard Scientific Building
Phone: 610.648.3253 (office) 610.725.5250 (admin)
Office Hours: Tuesday and Wednesday, 5-6 PM and by appointment (preferred)
Course Texts
Required text:
Greer, Michael. (2001) The Project Manager's Partner (2nd edition). HRD Press
Block, Peter. (2000). Flawless Consulting (3rd edition). JoseyBass/Pfeiffer
Course Overview
INSYS 553 blends sound project management skills with client-focused consulting skills.
Because INSYS 553 is taken at or near the end of the program, the student should have acquired
the skills required to apply the ADDlE model to an instructional design project. More and more,
however, instructional designers are required to manage their projects according to acceptable
project management protocols and they generally are more successful when they work in a
collaborative consulting relationship with their client. This course will focus on developing these
skills.
Project Management
Project management brings together and organizes the resources necessary to successfully
complete the project. These resources include the skills, talents, and cooperative effort of a tram
of people, facilities, tools, and equipment, information, systems techniques and money. Project
management focuses on a project with a finite life span. Typically projects need resources on a
part time basis. The sharing or resources frequently leads to conflict and requires skillful
negotiation to see that projects get the necessary resources to meet objectives throughout the
project. The project management skills addressed in this course include: (1) defining the need
and the feasibility of the project, (2) describing the project scope, (3) estimating project costs, (4)
creating a project plan, (5) executing project activities, (6) controlling the project, and (7) closing
out the project.
Economics
The economics of Instructional Systems Design should be a topic of concern to you because it
can lead to more efficient use of instructional/training resources; you should always consider
INSYS 522 Clariana page 1 of 5
how to reduce the cost of reaching particular objectives and how to expand what can be
accomplished under any resource or budget constraint.
Consulting Skills
Consulting opportunities have expanded greatly at all levels during the past decade. To capitalize
on this trend, you need to be aware of the characteristics and practices associated with internal,
external, and independent consultant strategies. For example, how do you develop the project
team, ask the right questions, interact with SMEs and team members, and delegate while keeping
every body happy? Similarly, skills and understanding of the basic strategies for evaluating the
process and the impact of consultation in the work environment is essential.
The consulting skills that will be the focus of this course include; (1) starting the consultation;
(2) intervention styles; (3) collecting data; (4) problem diagnosis and decision-making; (5)
implementation; (6) disengagement; (7) evaluating the consulting assignment.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
1. To develop the necessary project planning skills.
2. To develop skills for managing a project.
3. To develop the consulting skills needed to effectively define, assess, monitor, and evaluate the
client relationships.
4. To evaluate the effectiveness of your consulting and project management skills in preparation
for future self -development.
Course Structure and Expectations
Overview - This course is based on adult learning theory. Every session will include a mix of
lectures, discussions, group activities, demonstrations, hands-on guided practice, and hands-on
independent work. You will be provided with a substantial amount of in-class work time and
with direct assistance and written guidance from the instructor for all exercises and projects.
However, you will be expected to spend out-of-class time preparing for classes, working
independently with the software tools, and completing your projects.
Participation - A good class requires both an effective teachers and prepared students. Read the
assignments. You should attend every class meeting. If you are unable to attend, contact me as
soon as possible, and make a plan to make-up missed work. Excessive absence (i.e., more than 2
classes) will impact your final course grade. You are encouraged to talk to me at any time about
anything. I will try to return all assignments by the next class period. For class cancellation due
to inclement weather or other emergency, listen to local news media and/or call the Great Valley
Campus 610-648-3300 for recorded information.
Academic Integrity - "Academic integrity is the pursuit of scholarly activity free from fraud and
deception and is an educational objective of this institution. Academic dishonesty includes, but
is not limited to, cheating, plagiarizing, fabricating of information or citations, facilitating acts of
academic dishonesty by others, having unauthorized possession of examinations, submitting
work of another person or work previously used without informing the instructor, or tampering
with the academic work of other students.” At the beginning of each course it is the
responsibility of the instructor to provide a statement clarifying the application of academic
INSYS 522 Clariana page 2 of 5
integrity to that course. (from 1989-1000 Policies and Rules for Students, p.25). Violation will
likely result in a failing grade for the assignment or course. Even though academic dishonesty,
plagiarism, or any form of cheating is not tolerated, collaboration and sharing information among
students is recommended and encouraged.
Special Services - Special services are available to students with disabilities. “Penn State
encourages academically qualified students with disabilities to take advantage of its educational
programs. It is University policy not to discriminate against persons with disabilities in its
admission policies or procedures or its educational programs, services, and activities. The
University is responsible for making all of its programs and services available to its students.
When auxiliary aids are needed for students with disabilities, Penn State is responsible for
making reasonable accommodations to individuals with documented disabilities.” If you
anticipate needing any type of accommodation, please contact, please contact Kathy Mingioni
(610-648-3315) in advance of your participation or visitation.”
Grading - There are several scored components. Your final project carries the most weight (see
table below). Final letter grades will follow the convention:
A A- B+ B B- C+ C D F
100 - 92 91 -- 90 89 -- 88 87 -- 82 81 -- 80 79 -- 78 77 -- 70 69 -- 60 59 -- 0
INSYS 522 Clariana page 3 of 5
Course Schedule
Date Scheme Assignments Readings
1 Sep 6 Welcome, Intro & overview, basic
concepts, set up teams for C Map 1
2 Sep 13 Work on C Map 1 online C Map 1 Block pp.1-36 &
(pre) pp.327-342
3 Sep 20 The consulting process, gaining entry, C Map 2 Block pp.37-106
contracting, project need and (pre)
feasibility, scope, teams work on final
project (consulting contract)
4 Sep 27 Cost estimates and spending, plan C Map 3 Greer pp.19-80
disengagement, teams work on final (pre)
project (phase 1 and 2 deliverable)
5 Oct 4 Risk assessment, project Greer pp.97-102;
dependencies, teams work on final Appendix A1-A3
project (phase 1 and 2 deliverables)
6 Oct 11 Network diagrams and critical path, Greer pp.85-88
intervention styles, change Block pp.139-171
management and communication plan,
teams work on final project
7 Oct 18 Phase 3 Project Deliverables Specs, Greer p.14, pp.111-
how to measure and manage project 123, & pp.129-145
variability, teams work on final
project
8 Oct 25 Work on C Map 1 online (or face-2-
face)
9 Nov 1 Phase 4 Creating Deliverables, Block pp.189-215
prototypes, data collection, teams
work on final project
10 Nov 8 Interpret data, present findings to Block pp.217-246
client, implement consultant
agreement, teams work on final
project
11 Nov 15 Phase 5 test and implement Greer pp.129-145
deliverables, execute plan, control,
teams work on final project
12 Nov 22 Catch up and. teams work on final
project
13 Nov 29 Disengagement and follow-up, Block pp.107-133 &
evaluating success, Project Block pp.307-326
Management and ISD, Reflections on
the course and course assessment,
teams work on final project
14 Dec 6 Final reflections All projects
due
INSYS 522 Clariana page 4 of 5
Assignments
Map 1 (5% + 5%) Pre and post concept map of Project Management with a three page
narrative (double-space!) describing the relationships among the
concepts (team activity)
Map 2 (5% + 5%) Pre and post concept map of Consulting Strategies with a three page
narrative (double-space!) describing the relationships among the
concepts (team activity)
Map 3 (5% + 5%) Pre and post concept map of the Economics of Project Management
with a three page narrative (double-space!) describing the
relationships among the concepts (team activity)
Final Map (10%) Put it all together, including all three maps plus all other information
(individual activity)
Glossary (5%) Alphabetical list of important terms in the course with
definitions/examples. Some terms will be provided, while you also
should also add your own unique terms.
Complementary Provide a handout on some topic relevant to the course and audience.
material (5%) Take 5 minutes to sell it to the class. It may be practical, like an
approach that you have used at your job; a new process you are
doing, ISO compliance at your work, or theoretical, such as a model
or theory. (individual, sign up sheet)
Personal Handbook Develop a personal knowledge base of course materials as a take-
(5%) away. Organize into sections, with handouts, articles, etc. Submit a
description of your handbook with a reflection of the process and
product. Your score will be determined informally based on the
description and reflection. (individual)
Preparation and Prepare for classes and actively participate in activities
participation (5%) (individual)
Course Project (40%) Analyze posttest data and write an executive summary that contains
judgments you have made based on the data. The class will complete
a CBT feedback lesson to produce „mock' data for the analysis, or
you may use real data from work (preferred). Convert several of the
posttest questions into another format, i.e., essay, short answer, etc.
Your final project score will be based on a rubric; note that the
decisions you make based on the data and your ability to
communicate those decisions carries more weight than the accuracy
of the data analysis.
(as teams)
INSYS 522 Clariana page 5 of 5
Jan‟s Assignments
1. You will select a current or up-coming proj ect that will drive your course proj ect and
consulting plans. Your project plan will include the following:
. Need and feasibility study (phase 1)
. Proj ect scope document (phase II)
. Estimated project costs (phase II)
. Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) (phase II)
. Project dependencies (phase II)
. Network diagram highlighting the project's critical path (phase II)
. A communications plan (phase II)
. Risk assessment (phase II)
. Software-based project plan (e.g. MS Project - Phase II)
. Projectdeliverables specifications (phase Ill)
. THREE communication pieces written for different constituencies (phase Ill)
. Prototype of your final project deliverable(s) (phase IV)
. Projectdeliverables (phase N)
. Results of field test(s) and description of revisions (phase V)
. TWO project-related templates
. Project variance analysis
2. You will also be required to develop a consulting contract that you have established with your
client. This deliverable includes:
. What you and your sponsor/client expect from each other . How you and your sponsor plan to
work together
. Data collection methodology
. Cost of services
. Decision-making process
. Criteria for a successful relationship
. Disengagement plan
3. You will be required to maintain a log of your thoughts and activities associated with your
project and summarized on a weekly basis. The log should be 5-6 pages in length and will be
collected at the beginning of the last night of class
4. You will be required to submit an assessment at the end of the course that addresses the
following points:
. What went well/what could have gone better
. The accuracy and comprehensiveness of your project plan . Successes and failures in your
consulting agreement
INSYS 522 Clariana page 6 of 5