The SIGUCCS Academy Project Management microcredential track equips higher education IT professionals with essential project management skills focused on user-centered outcomes. This series covers core strategies in planning, developing user stories to prioritize needs, and applying practical tools to execute projects efficiently. Each one-hour session builds skills that enable participants to lead projects with clarity, focus, and effectiveness. Participants who complete the series will leave with a comprehensive understanding of project management, from planning and stakeholder engagement to execution and refinement.
Session 1: Project Management 101 for IT Managers
Instructor – Beth Rugg
Higher education demands IT professionals who can navigate constant technological change. This introductory session equips you with the foundational project management skills to lead successful IT initiatives in this dynamic environment. Through interactive activities and real-world examples in a university setting participants will:
- Understand the project lifecycle, from initiation, planning, execution, monitoring, and closure.
- Develop expertise in stakeholder engagement, communication, change control, and quality assurance.
- Learn about agile and waterfall methodologies.
- Explore tools used to plan, track, and manage IT projects.
Session 2: Gathering User Stories
Instructor – Elizabeth Young
The second session in this series focuses on the process of gathering and refining user requirements to support IT projects in higher education. Develop essential skills for effectively gathering user stories, concise descriptions of desired functionality told from the user’s perspective. Through discussion and hands-on exercises, participants will:
- Cultivate active listening, interviewing, and empathy skills to uncover and represent user needs effectively.
- Hone the ability to craft clear, actionable requirements with well-defined acceptance criteria.
- Strengthen collaboration techniques to engage stakeholders and foster shared understanding.
- Develop prioritization and organizational skills to align requirements with project goals and feasibility.
Session 3: Breaking Down and Managing Tasks
Instructor – Mitchell Ochi
The final session focuses on practical strategies for task planning and execution, helping participants achieve goals efficiently while leveraging teamwork. Through discussion and hands-on activities, participants will:
Develop skills to define clear goals, deadlines, and resources for focused task planning.
- Learn techniques to break tasks into manageable steps, set priorities, and design efficient workflows.
- Enhance collaboration skills to work effectively with others and leverage team strengths.
- Practice iterative planning and improvement methods to meet requirements and refine outcomes under time constraints.