In a case study of a large Australian university the metaphor of panarchy is used as a means of describing and understanding the complex interrelationships of multi-scale institutional projects and the influences of a variety factors on the potential success of e-learning initiatives. The concept of para-analysis is introduced as a management strategy to map educational technology projects in time and institutional space and to predict the impacts the implementation of these might have on individuals. Finally, four good practice guidelines for strategic project management for e-learning in a large institution are presented. (Contains 4 figures, 1 table and 1 footnote.)