Thursday, September 1, 2016

Plans and project management

The other day I was chatting with a friend who does project management for a living. I've taken a few classes on the topic myself, as well as working as a stage manager before. Trust me, they have a lot in common. Anyway, he was talking about how to use the techniques I've been trained in to manage and control my art. Setting out a PM plan ahead of time would be a good way to help me plan my future projects, but I've never done it before. I'm a little hesitant to try and limit my slightly spontaneous crafting style with such a document, but I have reason to think it would allow me to complete more things. I have a terrible habit of getting bored and wandering off mid-project.

So, let's set up the current list of things that need doing and develop a plan for them.
1) I need to create a lecture on the 15th century (1400's) in Western Europe.
a) It must cover the whole century's events
b) It must give an overview of clothing worn
c) It must be interesting and get people excited about learning more

2) I need to write down and polish a set of stories for bardic
a) They have to be mostly true and /or period
b) They have to be 2-3 min long as spoken word performance
c) They have to cover a range of emotions and be able to fit to certain themes

3) I need to create a full Tudor noble woman gown
a) Smock
i)reuse an older piece I already have
ii) embroider the collar
b) Kirtle
i) Get help making a self-supportive pattern for both side and front lacing
ii) Tropical weight wool or linen? Have to make the choice
c) Gown
i) it has to be patterned over the kirtle so it goes last
ii) Need to find an inexpensive fabric that looks period and pricey

Of all these projects I think the Tudor ensemble will be the easiest to make a PM plan for and the hardest to actually build.The personal bardic collection has been difficult, but I think I have a few new ideas on how to make it come together. The overview paper should be fairly quick, but I admit I'm slightly blocked on it. It's been awhile since I wrote a paper at all.
I'm going to go back through my PM notes and hope to have a basic project summary for all three of these things soon.