1.PROJECT MANAGEMENT Or How to Herd Cats WordCamp Chicago 2014 Becky Davis @beckyddesign

2. ABOUT BECKY Designer/Dev from Chicago 1st WordPress site in 2009 1st WordCamp Chicago 2010 1st WordCamp site design Chicago 2011 Number of WordPress custom themes built 40+ Solopreneur, partner with a lot of great people meetup.com/Chicago-WordPress-Meetup/ 3. WHO IS THE PROJECT MANAGER? Smaller project the designer/developer Larger project: A designated person Any team member Developer ** Needs to understand: How sites go together Who the players are What they do and dont understand What it will take to get done 4. PROJECT MANAGER SKILLS Managing Expectations Proactively Organized Communication Let ideas flow first, problem solve second Documentation If it wasnt documented, did it really happen? Excessive patience =less aggravation 5. WHAT DOES A PROJECT MANAGER DO? Outlines project and steps needed Sets the timeline/deadlines Creates the agenda for any meeting/call Gets the right people involved in the approval/input process Coordinate people with different talents & agendas Doesnt need to be part of every discussion, but does need to know the outcome/decision Keeps things on track 6. POINT OF VIEW Most people in the project will not get what the other person is doing Lots of skillsets/priorities/understa nding Everyone has their own agenda Individual discovery 1st before group meeting 7. THE CLIENTS Editors(s) Know the subject matter not the tech, actively involved. Will have strong opinions, not necessarily understand scope. Owner(s) Must have buy-in, final decision maker, may or may not be actively involved. Must get them involved EARLY at key points. The office staff Know the subject matter not the tech, not actively involved. Actually have to use the site. 8. THE WORKERS Designer Hopefully know the tech, actively involved. IA/UX Hopefully know the tech, actively involved. Probably doesnt know WordPress. Developer Listen to all above. Make the magic happen. 9. KEEPING IT ALL ON TRACK Would that it were all this simple 10. TOOLS Basecamp Trello Google drive Dropbox Email folders, calendars whatever works for you and client Keep the conversation and assets in on central place. Take the time to train the client on proper usage and house rules. 11. IN CONCLUSION Its all politics baby Be nice Be prepared Be organized Analyze what went wrong and learn Have fun! Questions?