You have just been told that you will be managing this year's LearnScope project in your organisation.

"Now wait up a bit," you say "This little black duck will need a lot more information before jumping in the deep end!  I want to find out what is really involved!..." 

Well, you're in luck because previous South Australian Project Managers and Facilitators have worked together to write up a list of what it means to lead a LearnScope work based learning project team, based on their own real-life experiences! Here's what they said:

• It is best to be a participant in the team, and not simply be the ‘person who looks after the money’. There is sometimes a considerable amount of ‘behind the scenes’ assistance needed to pull the project together.
• It’s great to experience the enthusiasm around you.
• Sometimes you need to develop ‘hassling’ techniques, to make sure things get done.
• You need to be good at planning – Financial planning, Strategic planning etc.
• Keep in mind the needs of the organisation, but don’t forget to also focus on the needs of individual staff
• Never, EVER think you can lead a project team all by yourself.  It is impossible to work in all the roles at the same time, and do all of it well.
• Make sure that your Facilitator is experienced, motivated and committed.
• It is good to work closely with your Facilitator, and lead the project together – mentor them and realise that they, too, will need motivation and support.
• It’s a bonus if you are also an Educational Manager or Senior Manager, as this provides  extra arenas to promote the project at different levels of influence.
• Realise that not everyone who disagrees with you is necessarily wrong; you can develop alternative visions from talking to others
• Make sure that all the participants in the team are volunteers and are not compelled to join the team – understand that the team ‘shapes’ the Project and they need to feel ownership of it and be enthusiastic and committed.
• Ensure that you have an Administration Officer on board to help with the details
• Keep communication channels open with everyone in the team.