Project Charter: DRAFT 1
Update 27-Jan-07
Project Name- Tulane Blackboard Application Service Provider (ASP) Migration and Implementation
Estimated Start and End Dates- Jan. 2007- August 2007.
Executive Sponsor- Paul Barron , VP/CIO & Paul Barron, Interim Provost
Project Sponsor- Ann Kovalchick, Deputy CIO, Exec. Dir, Academic Technology
Project Requester- Linda Orth Wright, Dir. Web and Learning Services
Project Summary- This project entails the upgrade and migration of Tulane’s locally hosted Blackboard version 6.2 system to Blackboard Inc.’s Academic Suite hosted environment- referred to as an Application Service Provider. The Academic Suite includes the Blackboard Learning System ver. 7, the Blackboard Community System, and the Blackboard Content Management System. Components of this project will include implementing an authentication process (LDAP), conducting a pilot on the use of ePortfolio features for the Center for Public Service and Teacher Certification program, integrating a snapshot tool for automatic Blackboard and user and course account creation and enrollment, migrating a limited amount of course content from Tulane’s existing Blackboard system to the hosted environment, determining an enterprise-wide content management strategy, and training Tulane staff on administrative tasks and new features.
End Results- After the completion of this project Tulane’s Blackboard system will be hosted entirely on Blackboard Inc. servers. User and course account creation and activation as well as student enrollment will be automated. The user database will be updated and kept current as the student and faculty population changes. Tulane staff will be properly trained to advise Tulane’s academic community on best practices for using the system. A content repository and associated content management practices and policies will be designed to meet institutional needs
Business Case- This project is being undertaken to ensure that Tulane’s academic community is using a course management system that fully addresses its needs as well as opening new possibilities for teaching, learning, research and instructional administration. As Tulane re-shapes its identity following Katrina, digital tools such as the e-portfolio, e-reserves, and e-commerce become necessary tools as we strive to stay competitive with other universities. Furthermore, Tulane’s existing course management system is well out of date, including the database, which is no longer supported by Oracle. The Blackboard Community System will provide ease of administration and integration of Tulane’s Card Services through the provision of eCommerce features. In additional, this ASP service will support Tulane’s disaster recovery strategy and hurricane preparedness plan.
Scope- The scope of this project is detailed in the following four documents:
- ASP Data Integration Appendix
- Content System Strategy Appendix
- Blackboard Academic Suite Administration
- Blackboard Academic Suite Essentials
Deliverables- This project will deliver a fuller, more functional course management system to the academic community, and a wider range of options and possibilities for teaching, learning, library services, e-commerce and individual management and storage of digital storage. The process of course creation and enrollment should be streamlined, making adoption to the system more appealing as well as freeing up resources for Tulane staff.
Associated Projects and Initiatives- This project is consistent with and addresses goals stated in the Tulane Renewal Plan as well as its 5 and 10 year strategic initiatives. It is directly tied to the Strategic Technology Plan, Strategic Goal 2: Build virtual and physical communities to support enhanced communication, collaboration, and camaraderie Strategic Goal 3: Deliver integrated, user-centered processes; and Strategic Goal 4: Enhance learning in and out of the classroom.s
Operational Implications- Impact on Technology Service’s operations and production environment should be limited, as the system itself will be hosted on Blackboard Inc. servers.
Options Considered- Strong consideration was given to a less-expensive course management solution, including open source applications such as Sakai, but a pilot demonstrated that not all academic needs would be addressed with such an application and that insufficient technical staffing could be allocated to sustain an open source solution. Moreover, consideration was given to software that would address specific E-portfolio needs (to be used in conjunction with a course management system), however a full analysis identified a need for greater system integration and more benefits associated with maintaining a common interface design that would be more effectively supported across the university community.
Potential Risks and Mitigation- Due to the gap between application version upgrades, a known risk is that course data stored on Tulane’s existing Blackboard system will not wholly migrate to the new hosted environment. However, with the introduction of the new Content System, instructors will be able to upload and store content on the new system from their own hard-drives and the increase of available features support more effective course design and content updates.
A second risk is the integration of user data from diverse data sources within Tulane infrastructure and legacy systems. However, the purchase of an annual Integration Customization Maintenance Agreement will provide technical assistance to named service engagements, such as the Snapshot Integration.
Overall, risks are limited as most of the academic community is already familiar with Blackboard software.