Slides associated with my Digital Project Management workshop planned for NPCH 2020. Unfortunately, the session was canceled due to COVID19. Please reach out for more info or for the resource packet prepared for the session.

1. Digital Project Management
Digital Public History Lab Breakout Session
Ashley E. Bowen, PhD
Mellon/ACLS Public Fellow,
Digital Engagement Manager
Science History Institute
March 18, 2020
“Man Using a Computer Connected to a Beckman Optima XL-A Analytical Centrifuge,” 1990–1999. Beckman Historical Collection, Box 59, Folder 64. Science History Institute.

2. Goals for today
• Discuss how to consolidate digital projects under one
project manager without starting a turf war.
• Learn about logic models as a method for planning
digital projects.
• Brainstorm some specific next steps for your
organization.
• Take away resources you can immediately adapt for
use at your organization.
Moss Photography. “Beckman/SDS 2220/920 Integrated Computer System,” circa 1964. Beckman Historical Collection, Box 96, Folder 25. Science History Institute.

3. Mingle a little
• Name
• Institutional affiliation (if you have one)
• One hope you have for digital projects at your institution
“Arnold and Mabel Beckman at an Unidentified Event,” 1970–1979. Beckman Historical Collection, Box 88. Science History Institute. Philadelphia.

4. Cultivating Collaboration
• 1:1 interviews
• Cross-departmental workshops
• Consensus around terminology and goals
• Handouts: interview questions, workshop agenda
Patterson, E. B. “Spectrophotometer Salesmen ‘Fighting’ with Chairs at the Society for Applied Spectroscopy Meeting,” 1954. Beckman Historical Collection, Box 10, Folder 3.
Science History Institute.

5. Digital engagement uses information technology to build
dynamic relationships with our publics. We seek to
respond to their changing information needs, build their
knowledge, and inspire a personal connection to the
social, cultural, and historical dimensions of science that
empowers audiences to make changes in their world.
-Approved by ad hoc work group 8 March 2019
Detail from Dow Chemical Company. “In Defense of a Maligned Word,” 1937. Advertisements from the Dow Chemical Historical Collection, Box 1. Science History
Institute.

6. Modeling the work
• Logic models
• Department-level work.
• Handout: example logic model
FlexibleStereoChemistry Flexible Molecular Model Kit. 2017. Photograph. Science History Institute. Philadelphia.

7. Retroactive organizing &
forward looking
• How we got to now
• Why we do the things that we do
• Indicators of success
Image courtesy of author.

8. Collect data…
• Reframed reporting to focus on meaningful metrics
• Data sharing across departments
• Handout: Evaluation worksheet from logic models
Hewlett-Packard Model 35 Calculator with Case. 2019. Photograph. Science History Institute.

9. Working with external vendors
“Beckman Facilities, Berkeley Scientific Corporation,” 1950–1959. Beckman Historical Collection, Box 57, Folder 12. Science History Institute. Philadelphia.

10. Are museums agile?
• 12 principles outlined in the 2001
“Agile Manifesto”
• Respond quickly to requirement changes
• Develop prototypes early and often
“NYLON...andtheJantzenMagicTouch!,”1950–1959.ScienceHistoryInstitute.Philadelphia.

11. United States. Air Force, and Rohm and Haas Company. “Plexiglas Boards in Use at Air Force Facility,” circa 1947. Rohm & Haas Company Archives, Box 18 (Photographs), Fold
Science History Institute. Philadelphia.
Tools and techniques

12. 3… 2… 1… GO!
• Exit ticket
• Share your name and contact information if
you want me to follow-up in a few weeks.
Dietrich, T. A. “80’ Telescopic Accessory for Beckman DK-1 Spectrophotometer,” 1964. Beckman Historical Collection, Box 89, Folder 2. Science History Institute.

13. Thank you!
“Woman Using Beckman/SDS Integrated Computer System,” 1964. Beckman Historical Collection, Box 16, Folder 18. Science History Institute.
Ashley E. Bowen, PhD
Science History Institute
abowen@sciencehistory.org
(215) 873-8252 office
@AEBowenPhD twitter