Project Management for History Professionals (Summer 2026) - Online Course

Project Management for History Professionals (Summer 2026) - Online Course

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Course Description

An AASLH Small Museum Pro! Online Course

Project Management is a specific approach to managing projects that breaks the process into phases and uses a variety of tools to move a project from start to finish.

This online course will share introductory aspects of Project Management that can best be applied to history organizations for everything from exhibit design to collections inventories. Over the course of four-weeks, participants will learn about broad concepts and tools used in Project Management and will have the opportunity to apply the course content to a project of their own.

This course consists of four modules that include videos, assignments, and other activities. A live weekly session provides the opportunity for participants to interact with the instructor and each other, and optional group and one-on-one sessions provide additional support

Details

SESSION DATES: June 15 - July 13, 2026

REGISTRATION DATES: March 23 - June 8, 2026

COST: $199 AASLH Members / $299 Nonmembers / 10% discount for STEPS participants with promo code found in the online STEPS Community or by emailing learn@aaslh.org

Course Logistics

FORMAT: Online, Instructor-led, Weekly-paced course

LENGTH: 4 weeks

PARTICIPATION: Participants should expect to spend approximately 5-7 hours per week on this course including watching videos, completing activities, live sessions, and assignments

ZOOM SESSIONS: We recommend downloading the Zoom mobile or desktop app for this course. 

There will be a weekly one-hour live session on Thursdays at 3:00 pm ET as part of the course. The live session will be recorded, but you are strongly encouraged to plan to attend in-person each week.

MATERIALS: There are no required texts for this course. All other materials will be provided.

TECHNOLOGY: Participants will need access to internet and a desktop computer, laptop, or tablet to participate in this course. For the live Zoom session, we recommend having access to a camera and a headset, earbuds, or other audio and microphone device. Automatic captioning is available in the Zoom discussions. 

Participant Outcomes

Participation in this course will help you:   

  • Conceptualize and practice different approaches to managing projects.
  • Access a variety of tools to aid in planning and execution of projects.
  • Engage with others working in history organization to discuss and apply course concepts. 

Who Should Take This Course

Project Management is valuable training for staff at all levels. Whether your work involves exhibitions, education and programs, planning, fundraising, collections, historic preservation or the many other tasks staff at history organizations address every day, you will gain new skills, ideas and tools for effectively managing projects.  This is a basics course and is not intended for those whose primary role is as a project manager. 

Issues with registration? Please email learn@aaslh.org for assistance.


Lisa Craig Brisson

Lisa Craig Brisson

Online Course Instructor and Workshop Facilitator

Email: lisacraigbrisson@gmail.com

Lisa Craig Brisson is the Executive Director for the Michigan Museums Association. She took the AALSH Project Management for History Professionals workshop in 2014 and applied the principles she learned to her organization, which is now thriving. She also took the online course by AASLH, has spent hundreds of hours learning how to best use project management techniques, and is working toward her certification. 

Originally from St. Paul, Minnesota, Lisa received her B.A. in history and secondary education from the University of St. Thomas and an M.A. in History from the Cooperstown Graduate Program. She has worked for or done history or museum-related projects with the Minnesota Historical Society, Ramsey County (MN) Historical Society, Old Sturbridge Village (MA), The Farmer's Museum (NY), Mackinac State Historic Parks, the Visitor Studies Association, the Center for the Advancement of Informal Science Education, North Central Michigan College, the Cheboygan Area Public Library/Museum on Main Street, Central Michigan University, Harbor Springs Historical Society, and the Mackinac Island Center for the Arts. She serves on the Board of Directors of the Cultural Advocacy Network of Michigan and the Upper Peninsula (MI) Arts and Culture Alliance. 

Lisa lives in the Straits of Mackinac region of Michigan, where Lakes Michigan and Huron join and the Upper and Lower Peninsulas of Michigan are closest together. She lives with her husband, Steve, who is the director for Mackinac State Historic Parks and she has three adult children who are in various stages of leaving the nest. In the winter they live in Cheboygan, near the tip of the Lower Peninsula and in the summer they live on Mackinac Island in Lake Huron. Lisa enjoys downhill skiing, doing jigsaw puzzles, knitting hats, and hosting summer Happy Hours. 

LinkedIn Profile

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----- Introduction -----
Welcome!
Open to view video.  |   Closed captions available  |  8 minutes
Open to view video.  |   Closed captions available  |  8 minutes
You must register to access.
Course Guide
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Introductions
Make 1 discussion post to continue.
Make 1 discussion post to continue. Please introduce yourself - include your name, physical location, history organization, role, physical location, your experience managing projects, and something fun we might be interested in knowing about you.
You must register to access.
Brisson Resume
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Course Messaging Instructions
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource. Instructions on how to set up your privacy and messaging settings for the course.
You must register to access.
Link to schedule an (optional) appointment with Lisa
Select the "Schedule an appointment with Lisa" button to begin.
Select the "Schedule an appointment with Lisa" button to begin. Feel free to schedule an appointment to ask question or get help with an assignment or any aspect of the course.
You must register to access.
Week One: Introduction
Week One Introduction Video
Open to view video.  |   Closed captions available  |  6 minutes
Open to view video.  |   Closed captions available  |  6 minutes
You must register to access.
Week One Video A - Professional Project Management
Open to view video.  |   Closed captions available  |  4 minutes
Open to view video.  |   Closed captions available  |  4 minutes
You must register to access.
Week One Discussion - Professional Project Management
Make 2 discussion posts to continue.
Make 2 discussion posts to continue. What do you think of the idea that our work has inherent challenges that might be served by more structure? Do you agree or disagree with this premise or any of the supporting points? Please post your response and comment on at least one other post.
You must register to access.
Week One Video B - Big Ideas from Project Management
Open to view video.  |   Closed captions available  |  7 minutes
Open to view video.  |   Closed captions available  |  7 minutes
You must register to access.
Week One Quiz - Big Ideas of Project Management
5 Questions  |  Unlimited attempts  |  5/5 points to pass  |  Graded as Pass/Fail
5 Questions  |  Unlimited attempts  |  5/5 points to pass  |  Graded as Pass/Fail
You must register to access.
Week One Video C - Stakeholders
Open to view video.  |   Closed captions available  |  4 minutes
Open to view video.  |   Closed captions available  |  4 minutes
You must register to access.
Week One Live Session - Recording
Select the "View On-Demand Recording" button to begin.  |  45 minutes  |   Closed captions available
Select the "View On-Demand Recording" button to begin.  |  45 minutes  |   Closed captions available
You must register to access.
Week One Assignment Walk-Through - Stakeholder List
Open to view video.  |   Closed captions available  |  12 minutes
Open to view video.  |   Closed captions available  |  12 minutes
You must register to access.
Week One Assignment Template - Stakeholder List
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource. Please upload assignment as a pdf.
You must register to access.
Week One Assignment Upload - Stakeholder List
Graded as Pass/Fail | Due Date: 07/17/2026 at 12:00 PM (EDT)
Graded as Pass/Fail | Due Date: 07/17/2026 at 12:00 PM (EDT) Using the template provided, make a list of stakeholders on your project. Include their name, role and any thoughts or notes you have about how they will engage with you and/or the project. View the examples and walk-through video for guidance, and/or feel free to set up a meeting with the instructor. Please upload your assignment as a PDF.
You must register to access.
Week One Bonus Material
Recorded 06/01/2026  |  60 minutes
Recorded 06/01/2026  |  60 minutes
You must register to access.
Week One Reflection
2 Questions  |  Unlimited attempts  |  0/2 points to pass
2 Questions  |  Unlimited attempts  |  0/2 points to pass
You must register to access.
Week Two: Ready
Week Two Video A - Project Leadership
Open to view video.  |   Closed captions available  |  7 minutes
Open to view video.  |   Closed captions available  |  7 minutes
You must register to access.
Week Two Discussion - Project Manager Mindset
Make 2 discussion posts to continue.
Make 2 discussion posts to continue. In the first video this week, I present the idea that there is project manager mindset, which we can use even when we are not an official project manager. It focuses on being proactive, curious, and collaborative. What do you think of this idea of a project manager mindset? Questions to consider: Have you seen these elements of a project manager mindset in action? If so, how has it impacted the project? Are there elements of a project manager mindset that are missing? How might having a project manager mindset be helpful, even if you are not providing leadership on a project? Please make a post and make at least one comment on someone else’s.
You must register to access.
Week Two Video B - Intent
Open to view video.  |   Closed captions available  |  8 minutes
Open to view video.  |   Closed captions available  |  8 minutes
You must register to access.
Week Two Quiz - Intent
5 Questions  |  Unlimited attempts  |  5/5 points to pass  |  Graded as Pass/Fail
5 Questions  |  Unlimited attempts  |  5/5 points to pass  |  Graded as Pass/Fail
You must register to access.
Week Two Video C - Stakeholders
Open to view video.  |   Closed captions available  |  4 minutes
Open to view video.  |   Closed captions available  |  4 minutes
You must register to access.
Week Two Live Session - Recording
Select the "View On-Demand Recording" button to begin.  |  46 minutes  |   Closed captions available
Select the "View On-Demand Recording" button to begin.  |  46 minutes  |   Closed captions available
You must register to access.
Week Two Assignment Walk-Through - Charter
Open to view video.  |   Closed captions available  |  27 minutes
Open to view video.  |   Closed captions available  |  27 minutes
You must register to access.
Week Two Assignment Template - Charter
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Week Two Assignment - Charter
Graded as Pass/Fail
Graded as Pass/Fail Using the template provided, create a charter for your project. Include the goals and objectives for your project, major deliverables, the key roles, and the process for authorization and/or commitment on your project. View the examples and walk-through video for guidance, and/or feel free to set up a meeting with the instructor. Please upload the assignment as a pdf document.
You must register to access.
Week Two Bonus Material
Select the "View On-Demand Recording" button to begin.
Select the "View On-Demand Recording" button to begin.
You must register to access.
Week Two Reflection
2 Questions  |  Unlimited attempts  |  1/2 points to pass
2 Questions  |  Unlimited attempts  |  1/2 points to pass
You must register to access.
Week Three: Set
Week Four: Go!
Course Surveys and Certificate Of Completion

Cancellation/Refunds for onsite workshops must be submitted in writing via email to learn@aaslh.org or mail to 2021 21st Ave S., Suite 320 Nashville, TN 37212. Cancellations made prior to the early-bird registration deadline date will receive a full refund. Cancellations made between the early-bird deadline date and eight days prior to the workshop will be subject to a $55 processing/materials charge. No refunds will be given within seven days of the workshop date. AASLH is not responsible for cancellations that were mailed or emailed but never received.

Cancellations/Refunds for online professional development (webinars and online courses) must be submitted in writing via email to learn@aaslh.org or mail to 2021 21st Ave S., Suite 320 Nashville, TN 37212. Cancellations made prior to the start date for the online course or the day of the webinar will be given a full refund. No refund will be given after the start date for the online course or on/after the day of the webinar. Registrants may transfer their registration to another person. Registrations cannot be transferred between courses or course sessions. AASLH is not responsible for cancellations that were mailed or emailed but never received.