> [!summary]+ Summary > This page describes a simple whiteboard outline I created from previous project management plans. This outline was a starting point to creating a standard system. (See the bottom of this page for the results of this activity.) # Mapping steps and milestones for a project management plan After a couple of years of building MOOCs, trying different timelines, and different meeting cadences, it was clear to my team and I that we needed a standard system. In review of some of the previous project management plans I had documented, I mapped on my whiteboard a series of steps and milestones. The goals were to create a standard system and to enable us to scale up course deliveries. For a complete view of the created system, see [[IMF Project management]]. ## Systematically planning course creation The below image is an outline of the *Online Learning Unit (OLU) Course Creation Project Plan System*. The color coding for milestone diamonds is as follows: - Blue — steps that require instructor/subject-matter-expert - Green — steps that require course development team members - Red — steps that involve key course components or materials completed ![[20170518_OLU_CC_PP_System.jpg]] This visible work outline served as a guide and discussion piece to the customized Microsoft Excel spreadsheets we used to document and track project management tasks. (Unfortunately, we did not use any industry software such as [Jira](https://www.atlassian.com/software/jira) or [Monday](https://monday.com) to run projects.) For example, a project plan version is taped to the wall on the right-side of the image. Sitting my office, myself and other teammates talked through, revised, and documented our changes on printouts. As those were captured, changes were made to the board. ## 🎯 Results This activity helped to outline and conceptualize across my team our project management system. (See [[IMF Project management]].) After multiple iterations and inputs from team members, a system was created that was a mix of Waterfall, Agile, and Six Sigma. This along with changes in my practice enabled scaling up to 3 MOOCs per year rather than 1 MOOC.