Projects

Projects to build digital collections can be initiated by users such as scholars or students or by staff of a cultural heritage institution (curators, librarians, archivists). Projects have specific goals and are of finite duration. Project planning includes plans for the future of the digital collection after the project is concluded. Plans for continued access to collections and for some level of collection maintenance should be specified and responsibility for maintenance clearly designated.

Digital collection projects often involve individuals from various disciplines or institutions. In assembling a team, the project manager should consider the qualifications, competency, reliability, and compatibility of potential team members. From the very beginning of the project, the project manager should invest in team building for the team to benefit from the perspectives and background of all of its members.

The project manager should have the ability to recognize when additional expertise is needed. Projects should consider the use of consultants and build this into the project proposals and plans. The project manager should coordinate the work of all project participants and maintain the project plan and timeline. The project manager may report to a higher manager, to a board of directors, or to an advisory board. However, the project manager should have the authority to delegate work, make decisions, and take remedial actions within the parameters set by the higher agency.

The project manager should have a plan for keeping stakeholders informed of the progress of the project to demonstrate accountability, generate interest in the digital collections and ensure continuing support for the project. Promotion of the project and the digital collections should be considered at the project planning stage.

1. A good collection-building project has a substantial design and planning component. More Information.
2. A good project has an evaluation plan. More Information.
3. A good project produces a project report and broadly disseminates information about the project process and outcomes. More Information.
4. A good project considers the entire lifecycle of the digital collection and associated services developed through the project. More Information.

Source: adapted from 'A Framework of Guidance for Building Good Digital Collections', published by the National Information Standards Office, 2nd edition, 2004.