Risk management in e-learning projects of courses development and implementation

The aim of the article is to present elaborated risk management model in project management of e-learning courses development and implementation. Showed model of risk management is a part of a complex, integrated model for e-learning projects' processes management. The starting point of the article is an analysis of the current state of scientific literature in the field of project management for e-learning courses with a thesis that there are no suitable models adapted to the specifics of e-learning. For the thesis confirmation a case studies of four e-learning institutions with significant experience in e-learning field is being shown. Developed risk management model is presented in the third part of the article. It starts from showing elaborated general processes map, with integrated risk management. Finally detailed risk management models for distinguished processes are being presented. The article is based on case studies of European institutions with significant e-learning projects realization experience, like: Oncampus, Lübeck University of Applied Science from Germany; Distance Education Centre, Kaunas University of Technology from Lithuania; Center of Distance Education Development, Higher Banking School and Educational Portal of University of Gdansk, University of Gdansk. It also includes author's six years’ experience gained by participation in e-learning projects, like international Baltic Sea Virtual Campus and national POKL as courses’ author, instructional designer and it coordinator.