Is managing multimedia projects the same as traditional project management?
You will find the answer in this updated and expanded third edition of Managing Multimedia. The book as been divided into two complementary volumes. I will be covering the first one in this article, Mark will cover Book 2 - Technical Issues.
Book 1- People and Process
In this volume, Elaine England and Andy Finney covers the development cycle of new media productions from the team manager's perspective, defining the project manager's responsibilities and offering practical guidance and solutions.
The Project Development Cycle
Part 1 covers such topics as how to scope new projects, create effective proposals, and provide solutions to issues related to contracts. Each chapters provides task-related exercises to help the manager build multimedia management guidelines to fit specific project requirements.
Later chapters cover how to build successful development strategies, manage content, budgeting, interface design and testing. Each containing useful resources, brief explanations and options to help aspiring managers develop their process skills.
Self Development
Part 2 is more specific to team management, copyright management, and marketing implications. This section also provide some hints on adapting projects for other languages and culture.
Last Word
Though some chapters felt compressed and could have been expanded upon, this is a good book to read if you would like insights on managing multimedia projects, people and processes. That you are a solo designer or part of a larger firm, these techniques will help you optimize the way you manage multimedia.
Just brace yourself for some dry reading. We even have a running joke at the studio:
this book is as dry as the deserts of Tatooine, at high noon, under two suns, without a moisture farm in sight.
Still, Book 1- People and Processes is perfect to learn the basics on managing multimedia.
I very much appreciated the Glossary of industry related words.
The companion website provide links and more resources supplementing relevant chapters.
Managing Multimedia: Project Management...
Elaine England (Author), Andy Finney (Author)
Paperback - 440 pages 3 edition (December 18, 2001)
Language: English
Addison Wesley ; ISBN: 0201728982
Don't miss the review of Managing Multimedia, Book 2: Technical Issues, coming soon!