scope:

Description of Driving Event:

In the 1995-1996 timeframe the Office of Safety and Mission Assurance began development of a distance learning capability under the umbrella of the Professional Development Initiative (PDI). This distance learning capability eventually evolved from a Safety and Mission Assurance discipline system into the Site for Online Learning and Resources (SOLAR), (http://solar.msfc.nasa.gov) currently one of NASA's primary distance learning resources. At the initiation of this development, distance learning and use of the Internet were in their infancy. Since this development was a trailblazing effort there was little in the way of guidance to follow and few resources available concerning adaptation of the Internet to education and training.

The management team that was assembled for this project was a key element in the ultimate success of the project. The core team members of the project team included the Project Manager and three specialty experts. The Project Manager focused on the big picture activities such as project definition, interface with senior management, budgeting, contracting, scheduling, marketing, and coordination of the efforts of those involved in the project (core team members, Center points of contact, subject matter experts, contractor). The first of the specialty experts provided knowledge of education theory and instructional systems design. The second was familiar with the computer hardware and software systems within the Agency including most desktop configurations. Finally a Safety and Mission Assurance (discipline) professional, familiar at a general level of knowledge of all elements of the technical content of the subject matter and the targeted users, completed the core team (The detailed technical content of individual courses was created using separate teams of subject matter experts). The prime contractor's organization included counterparts to each of the core team members.

The Project Manager and the core project team members were able to effectively plan and implement this distance learning program within NASA in large part because their individual knowledge bases covered all of they key aspects of the program.