This paper tries to define a concept for managing multimedia projects efficiently and takes the suitability of existing methods into account.
Developing a valid solution makes it necessary to look at project management as a generic discipline first and then apply the results to the multimedia discipline. Only then can we be sure that no important aspects of project management have been forgotten, nor that existing and working strategies, which could be applied to multimedia projects, have been ignored. This paper therefore defines project management and generally describes its areas of responsibility. The question of whether project management is necessary and beneficial needs to be addressed as well. After project management and the necessity to actively apply it in some form has been understood in general, a specific focus on the existing information for multimedia project management will be undertaken. It will become apparent that different viewpoints exist as to whether multimedia project management should apply project management methods of related industry areas, such as software development. This will justify the need to compare multimedia projects with software development projects. After having gained an insight into project management as well as the characteristics of multimedia projects, it is possible to determine the demands that a project management method needs to be able to meet, to successfully manage multimedia projects. It would be beyond the scope of this thesis to analyse every existing method. Instead, one method will be analysed as an example. The useful aspects of the analysed method will be identified along with its shortfalls in relation to multimedia development. Finally, recommendations on how the shortfalls could be corrected will be made, so that a project manager will be able to use the examined method, specifically suited to multimedia projects.
Table of Contents
- Preface
- Introduction
- The Topic of this Thesis
- Hypotheses and Findings
- Definition of Multimedia
- Types of Multimedia Products
- Forms of Delivery
- Categories of Multimedia Products
- Conclusion
- Project Management Definitions
- Project and Project Management
- Project Stakeholders
- Project Methodology, Methods and Processes
- The Historical Development of Project Management
- The Philosophy of Ancient Project Management
- The Philosophy of Modern Project Management
- Conclusion
- The Components of a Project Management Method
- The Project Management Context
- The Project Life Cycle
- Project Processes
- Project Integration Management
- Project Scope Management
- Project Time Management
- Project Cost Management
- Project Quality Management
- Project Human Resource Management
- Project Communications Management
- Project Risk Management
- Project Procurement Management
- Conclusion
- The Necessity of Project Management
- The Subconscious Management of Projects
- The Single Point of Responsibility
- The Advantages of a Project Management Method
- Conclusion
- Existing Information on Multimedia Project Management
- Interviews
- Redefine
- DCG
- Griffith University
- Published Materials
- Managing Multimedia: Project Management for Interactive Media
- Managing Multimedia Projects
- Developing Effective Websites: A Project Manager's Guide
- Internet
- Conclusion
- Interviews
- The Suitability of Existing Methods for the New Concept
- Differences Between Traditional Projects and Multimedia Projects
- Software Development Management
- Conclusion
- The Development of the New Concept
- The Choice for the Method
- Multimedia Pathways
- Alterations on Multimedia Pathways
- The Life Cycle
- The Processes
- Critical Reflection on the Findings
- The Quality of the Findings
- What Else Would Need to be Done?
Objectives and Key Themes
The objective of this thesis is to analyze existing project management methodologies in relation to their suitability for multimedia projects and to develop a new, adapted concept. The thesis investigates the specific challenges of managing multimedia projects, comparing them to traditional project management approaches.
- Analysis of existing project management methodologies for their applicability to multimedia projects.
- Identification of the unique challenges presented by multimedia project management.
- Development of a new project management concept tailored to multimedia production.
- Comparison of traditional project management with software development and multimedia project management.
- Evaluation of the newly developed concept's effectiveness and areas for further improvement.
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This chapter introduces the thesis's topic, focusing on the lack of standardized project management for multimedia development. It defines multimedia, its various types and forms, and clarifies key project management terms like stakeholders and methodologies. The chapter sets the stage by highlighting the risks involved in multimedia production due to the absence of widely adopted best practices.
The Historical Development of Project Management: This chapter explores the evolution of project management, from ancient philosophies to modern approaches. It traces the shift in thinking about project management, highlighting the transition from less structured to more formalized methodologies. The chapter provides a historical context for understanding the current state of project management.
The Components of a Project Management Method: This chapter details the crucial elements of a successful project management method, including the project context, the project life cycle, and the various project processes (integration, scope, time, cost, quality, human resources, communications, risk, and procurement management). It provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the building blocks of any effective project management approach.
The Necessity of Project Management: This chapter argues for the essential role of project management in achieving successful multimedia projects. It contrasts the often-unstructured "subconscious management" of projects with the advantages of adopting a formal method. The chapter emphasizes how a structured approach leads to improved outcomes in terms of time, cost, and quality.
Existing Information on Multimedia Project Management: This chapter explores existing resources on multimedia project management, drawing upon interviews with industry professionals and analysis of relevant published materials and online resources. The chapter synthesizes insights from diverse sources, providing a comprehensive overview of the current state of knowledge in this field.
The Suitability of Existing Methods for the New Concept: This chapter compares traditional project management approaches with those used in software development and identifies the differences crucial to developing a methodology suitable for multimedia production. The analysis lays the groundwork for proposing a new and tailored approach.
The Development of the New Concept: This chapter presents the newly developed project management concept, justifying the method chosen and detailing its components. It discusses the specific adaptations made to address the unique challenges of multimedia projects, explaining the modifications to the project life cycle and processes.
Keywords
Multimedia project management, project methodology, multimedia production, software development management, project life cycle, risk management, method adaptation, best practices, case studies.
Frequently Asked Questions: Multimedia Project Management Thesis
What is the main objective of this thesis?
The primary goal is to analyze existing project management methodologies for their suitability in multimedia projects and to develop a new, adapted concept specifically designed for this context. It investigates the unique challenges of multimedia project management compared to traditional approaches.
What topics are covered in the thesis?
The thesis covers a range of topics, including: the historical development of project management; the components of a project management method (including integration, scope, time, cost, quality, human resource, communications, risk, and procurement management); the necessity of project management for multimedia projects; an analysis of existing information on multimedia project management from various sources (interviews, published materials, and online resources); a comparison of traditional project management with software development and multimedia project management; and finally, the development and critical reflection of a new multimedia project management concept.
What are the key themes explored in the thesis?
Key themes include the analysis of existing project management methodologies for their applicability to multimedia projects; identifying the unique challenges in multimedia project management; developing a tailored project management concept for multimedia production; comparing traditional project management with software development and multimedia project management; and evaluating the new concept's effectiveness and potential for improvement.
What is the structure of the thesis?
The thesis is structured with a preface, introduction defining multimedia and project management, a review of the historical development of project management, a detailed explanation of project management components, an analysis of the necessity of project management and existing methods for multimedia, a section comparing traditional and software development methods, a presentation of the newly developed concept, and a final chapter offering critical reflection on the findings and areas for future work.
What types of multimedia projects are considered?
While not explicitly listing all types, the thesis considers a broad range of multimedia projects, encompassing various forms of delivery and categories of multimedia products, acknowledging the diverse nature of the field.
What sources of information were used in this thesis?
The research draws upon various sources, including interviews with industry professionals from companies like Redefine and DCG, as well as Griffith University, published materials (books on managing multimedia and website development), and internet research.
What is the significance of the newly developed concept?
The newly developed concept aims to address the shortcomings of applying traditional project management methods directly to multimedia projects. It offers a tailored approach that accounts for the unique challenges and complexities inherent in multimedia production, potentially improving efficiency and effectiveness.
What are the key differences between traditional project management and multimedia project management highlighted in the thesis?
The thesis highlights the differences in project characteristics, complexities involved in integrating various media types, the iterative nature of multimedia development, and the need for flexible and adaptable methodologies to address the dynamic nature of multimedia projects.
What are the keywords associated with this thesis?
Keywords include Multimedia project management, project methodology, multimedia production, software development management, project life cycle, risk management, method adaptation, best practices, and case studies.
Where can I find more information about this thesis?
The provided HTML gives a comprehensive overview of the thesis. Further details would be available in the complete thesis document itself.
- Quote paper
- Stefan Hartweg (Author), 2002, A Project Management Methodology for Multimedia Projects, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/185753
