Case Scenario:
You are currently working for LRH Manufacturing as a manager overseeing the Information Technology department. LRH is a cross-functional corporation that develops medical devices used at hospitals and universities. The company has a history of developing innovative and creative products for their clients. All of the medical devices that are produced must first meet rigorous government regulations and guidelines. One of the regulations focuses on these points:
Professional development/standard employee training
System (process) in updating and monitoring of internal training records
Mandated employee training policy
Attendance records verifying employee training participation and completion
The majority of the executive management team has decided that the current training management system needs to be revamped and updated. The current training management system is done manually and stored in a binder; therefore, it is difficult to determine the accuracy of the information.
In a recent meeting the executive management team has announced a company-wide initiative-the implementation of a new web-based training management system. The new system will require all personnel to use the system to sign-up for training, document training competition and to monitor their involvement in their assigned projects. This would ensure that the government regulations are being followed and met.
To oversee this responsibility, the executive management team has created a new position, Web-Based Training Project Manager. The responsibilities of this position will be to select and oversee the training and implementation of the new training management system, as well as monitor company-wide training attendance and identify people who are "out of compliance."
You and the executive management team anticipate that there will be some resistance from various departments. Departments such as Manufacturing, will be required to use tools they have never used or refused to use before. Because instructional designers in the Training Department develop instructor-led training, they often have shunned implementation of any web-based system. Additionally, department managers' responsibilities will increase. They will be required to learn to use the system to assign courses to their direct reports and monitor the timely completion of the courses.
You are happy in your role as the manager of the Information Technology department, but you are very interested in pursuing the Web-Based Training Project Manager position for your professional growth.
Details: You are completing the project planning activities and have identified the project stakeholders to include department managers and executive management of the following departments:
- Sales
- Marketing
- Customer Service
- Finance
- Human Resources
- Information Technology
- Office Management
- Product Development Research,
- Manufacturing Distribution
The VP of Operations is the project sponsor. The VP of Operations oversees the Finance, Human Resources, Office Management, and Information Technology departments. The active team is comprised of approximately ten people, with input/approval from approximately ten additional individuals. Develop a comprehensive communication plan. As part of your communication plan, include the following:
Q1. Define your target audience(s).
Q2. Explain the information that you will share with members of each audience.
Q3. Document the frequency of communication and medium of communication that you plan to use with each target audience.
Q4. Describe the approach that you will take to monitor project status, manage stakeholders, and obtain deliverable sign-offs.
Q5. Explain any communications that will take place with the remainder of the organization throughout the project.