Corporate Podcasting Expressway

Recently I was asked about the issue of content remediation.
Surprisingly there is limited information on this subject.

Therefore, I suggested and developed the following approach…

There are a number of reasons why an organisation would wish to perform content remediation, especially in the context of learning content. Firstly, to update courses, for example, due to compliance issues or because a learning management system’s (LMS) core functionality has changed. Or, to rationalise, harmonise or refine skills. The latter, could be due to a change in course structure or awareness of synergies between different courses, i.e: gaining greater value by bringing them together. This is natural as over time it can surface that new improvements can be achieved post experience. Sometimes companies change and that may mean new core-competency frameworks have to be put in place.

A typical approach for content remediation project would be to:

* Define players
* Define project scope
* Understand internal expectations
* Review the possibility to structure the project into phases
* Create a contact list
* Assemble project dashboard items (inc: capturing success criteria)

Organisational
* Structure plans
* Create timelines showing milestone markers
* Categorise issues
* Run a risk analysis workshop
* Establish Risk and issue log

Technical
* Perform a technical analysis (inc: risk assessment)
* Categorise as many content areas as possible, both initially and and on-route
* Develop a content matrix with the following initial headings:

- New
- Conversion (low, medium, high or re-develop)
- Reusable
- Update needed
- Screens version code
- Assessment data parsing capability
- Replace audio?
- Use web 2.0 features to enhance - Opportunities
- Re-record audio / video and then check the Learning Management system to understand if it can include podcast versions of these media types.
- Check for Packaging compliance - especially important for SCORM integration.
- Build a cross-reference document to document exactly what changes have been performed on the content.
- Accessibility Reviewed Y/N?
- Estimated cost of conversion
- Components to be changed (state content type and time per item)
* For example, building a Priority Course list for cleansing or conversion. The latter matrix could be used in conjunction with a 3rd party vendor to assess their capability of actually delivering each course for conversion.
* Build a test lab (need to spec this first!)
* Immediate skills assessment of 3rd party provider(s)
* Agree SLA with the latter
* Pilot a series of course’s to identify the most common migration  issues.

Team Assembly
* Identify roles
* Lobby strategy for Project board (Strategic Advisory Team)
* Suggest stakeholders for Project Assurance Team (Business, Technical & User assurers)
* Define reporting structure / schedule

Project specific
* Agree a project brief
* Agree a project approach (Specs, documentation and remediation approach)
* Commence Project initiation with agreed stage charts
* Agree PRINCE 2 products
* Agree signoff criteria
* Agree plan & update process
* Assemble a project support office (sized as required)

Finally, as per most project it is important to phase expectations to achievements!
To help the latter, a wiki could be set-up as a bridge between content cleansers, developers and user acceptance test personnel. Wiki’s are great for informing progress.

Popularity: 60% [?]

The following videos (describing surface technology) shows us that we humans are continuing to innovate and the thought of the Semantic web is coming closer.

It suggests greater interaction and seamless interoperability between digital devices.
It was interesting to see/hear that the core technology (Multi-touch) has been around for a few years.

The Reuters video shows us some more practical uses… Good on Microsoft for continuing to innovate!

What does this technology mean for businesses in the future?
From a business tools perspective, probably less devices and greater control based centres and management approaches.
Collaboration in teams will be greatly enhanced if people can ‘touch’ and feel a concept.

I wonder also if the sensitivity of these devices could also lead to further innovation, for example: a new way of interacting depending on pressure applied to specific graphical objects?

If the technology could also incorporate fast and efficient conferencing applications,  the technology could help the world with its environmental challenges.

From a designer perspective a greater insight, simulation and understanding for industries such as architecture, construction and even system architects for redesigning the inside of computers. With regard to the latter, it is amazing that computers are giving us a greater visibility and power to change them (computers) !

The first video suggests integration with house-hold applications and the reduction of cabling/plug-in devices. I also agree it could revolutionize the way humans interact with daily tools and their dependency on logistical ‘runs’.

Health
We do also need to consider accessibility standards. This is an area that cannot be ignored.  In addition, how much reliance on communication will there be with this device, for example, use of Wi-Fi?

I wonder if there is a roll for an intelligent coffee mat!
I can see a whole lot of jokes around not serving cheese with that!

Popularity: 22% [?]