Managing projects in the ECC can be a daunting task. This presentation provided attendees with an overview of project management tools and best practices.

Using a real world case study, attendees were guided through a successful Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD)/Mobile Data Computer (MDC) procurement and implementation project that Banker led in a consolidated police and fire dispatch center. Topics included project management methodologies, terms and definitions, planning, goals, deliverables, key success factors, project governance, and the roles and responsibilities of the project team.

Attendees learned how to leverage buy-in from the top-down and the importance of seeking out a champion to help sell the project. Attendees also learned the pitfalls of project management and how to overcome potential roadblocks on large projects. Attendees were able to walk away with a better understanding of the benefits of proper planning, the importance of effectively controlling the project scope, the significance of a communications plan, and developing a realistic budget and attainable timeline.

Banker discussed some unique tactics that she deployed on her CAD/MDC project, such as coordinating a vendor day for vendors to showcase their products to staff and stakeholders ahead of the development of the RFP and a use-case demo that was used to evaluate the proposals in a simulated, scripted environment with the center’s actual CAD data.