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Project Management Methodologies

It takes a variety of strategies to succeed in the always changing sector of project management. You can become an expert in your field by learning the most common project management approaches.
A project management methodology is a set of guidelines, methods, and processes followed by specialists in the field.

The top approaches need distinct outputs, workflows, and even the development of project management software, in addition to being structurally organised differently. In this article will find out the most common types of project management methodologies in detail.

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What is Project Management Methodology?A project management methodology is a set of guidelines, methods, and processes used by professionals in the field. The top approaches involve distinct outputs, workflows, and even project management software development, in addition to differing in how they are structurally organised.

Project Management MethodologiesThe project management methodology provides an easy-to-follow project roadmap that details all the procedures necessary to complete a project successfully. These project methodologies or procedures offer a specified governance structure, process guidelines, test activities, processes, and deliverables. In terms of project management, they follow a method that is meticulous, precise, and repeatable.
The most popular 12 project management methodologies are discussed below.
  • Waterfall methodology
  • Agile project management
  • Scrum methodology
  • Kanban methodology
  • Scrumban
  • Prince 2
  • Six-sigma
  • Critical path method (CPM)
  • Critical chain project management (CCPM)
  • Lean project management
  • PMBOK guide
  • Extreme programming (XP)

Waterfall Methodology: The waterfall approach is a well-liked framework as well. But waterfall is a real approach, whereas Agile is more complicated. The waterfall methodology, commonly referred to as the software development life cycle (SDLC), is a linear process in which work is arranged in sequential order and cascades down (much like a waterfall). Each task at work is related by a dependency to complete this method. This means that each activity must be finished before moving on to the next. This not only keeps the work on schedule but also encourages open communication throughout the process.
Although this method is regarded as a conventional one by some modern organisations, it works well for developing a predictable and carefully thought-out project plan.

Critical Chain Project Management Methodology (CCPM): The critical path technique was created in the 1950s and is based on the notion that some activities cannot be started until the previous one has been completed. You create your critical path by connecting these interdependent tasks in a straight line from start to conclusion.
Project managers can prioritise and devote resources to complete the most vital work while rescheduling any lower priority projects that may be blocking your team's bandwidth by identifying and concentrating on this critical path. In this approach, you can streamline your team's workflow without delaying the outcomes if you need to modify the project timetable.

Agile Methodology: Agile project management is an iterative, people-centred strategy that prioritises adapting to change over meticulous planning. By segmenting the project cycle into smaller chunks and allowing for adjustments at later phases, it decreases the complexity of a project. It must adhere to the basic ideals and guiding principles outlined in the Agile Manifesto in order to be considered an agile project.
Four guiding values served as the foundation for the Agile methodology when it was created in 2001.
  • People and interactions, rather than procedures and equipment
  • Working software is preferred to in-depth documentation.
  • Collaboration with the client before contract negotiations
  • adjusting to change as opposed to sticking to a plan

Scrum Methodology: Due to its ease of use, Scrum is the most widely used Agile development framework. It also resolves a number of issues that software developers have struggled with, including complicated development cycles, rigid project planning, and varying production deadlines.
Short "sprints" are used in the Scrum technique to build project cycles. Teams of 10 people or less work together to organise these cycles, which last one to two weeks at a time. This is distinct from the waterfall method, which breaks down individual activities into dependencies.
The usage of a Scrum master is one of many aspects of Scum that makes it special. Or, to put it another way, a project manager who oversees daily Scrum meetings, presentations, sprints, and retrospectives following each sprint. These gatherings are intended to bring together project stakeholders and guarantee timely completion of duties. Although Scrum is a project management methodology in and of itself, it is most frequently used in conjunction with an Agile framework.

Kanban Methodology: Based on the capability of a team, Kanban is another model for executing Agile. It was created in the 1940s in Toyota's facilities. The departments used a visual card system called "Kanban" to indicate to their teams that they were prepared for extra raw materials and had more production capacity.
Project backlogs are represented by the Kanban methodology using visual components, particularly boards. Agile teams employ this strategy to lessen the possibility of bottlenecks while improving the visualisation of workflows and project progress. Although it's not necessary, it's often in the shape of a software tool that enables you to switch between and drag boards within projects.
Many teams employ this strategy in different ways because it doesn't have a set methodology as other methods do. The fundamental idea to remember is that Kanban strives to concentrate on the most crucial project tasks while keeping the overall framework straightforward.

Scrumban Methodology: Scrumban is a methodology that, as you might have noticed, is influenced by both the Scrum and the Kanban frameworks. Some consider this to be a hybrid strategy that combines the best elements of each. Similar to Kanban, Scrumban uses a sprint cycle but allows for the inclusion of individual tasks. This maintains project planning straightforward and enables the completion of the most crucial activities. Scrumban also uses Scrum meetings to improve teamwork and keep objectives front-of-mind.
Scrumban might be for you if you enjoy the idea of segmenting a project into smaller jobs but also want to keep it visually straightforward. It strikes the ideal balance between clarity and simplicity.

Prince 2: Projects In Controlled Environments is referred to as PRINCE2. The UK government uses this approach to project management, which is distinguished by a focus on product-based planning. A structured project board is in charge of high-level PRINCE2 tasks including allocating resources and establishing the business reason.
The seven guiding principles of PRINCE2 are as follows:
  • launch of a project
  • project management
  • launch of a project
  • taking charge of a project
  • control over product delivery
  • controlling a stage's perimeter
  • terminating a project

Six Sigma: Six Sigma is utilised for quality management, in comparison with the other PM approaches, and is typically regarded as a concept rather than a conventional methodology. Lean Six Sigma and Agile Six Sigma, as they are often known, are frequently used in conjunction with it.
Six Sigma's primary goals are the continuous improvement of processes and the eradication of flaws. This is accomplished by ongoing process definition, definition, and control enhancements made by subject matter experts.

Critical Path Method (CPM): The critical path method helps project managers identify and schedule crucial tasks. This involves setting up task dependencies, monitoring project objectives and progress, prioritising deliverables, and controlling deadlines—all of which are actions that may be compared to a WBS.
This methodology's goal is to effectively manage large-scale, successful projects such that milestones and deliverables are properly mapped.

Lean Methodology: Lean project management seeks to eliminate waste and establish a straightforward framework for project requirements. Ultimately, this means maximising teamwork and efficiency by doing more with less.
The term "reducing waste" currently refers to wasteful behaviours, although the term "reducing waste" initially referred to a physical product (which dates back to the strategy employed by Henry Ford and later by Toyota and Motorola).
The following three Ms stand for this:
  • Practices that use resources but don't create value are known as muda (wastefulness).
  • Overproduction results in mura (unevenness), which leaves behind trash.
  • When resources are overextended, there is a muri (overburden).

PMBOK Methodology: Despite being referred to as a project management methodology, the PMI's Project Management Body of Knowledge is actually more closely associated with a set of best practices that take into account diverse development processes. The five project management phases, which are all used to manage a project from beginning to end in an organised phased method, are the main focus of this framework.

Extreme Programming (XP): Extreme programming is used for projects with short deadlines, as the name would imply. The strategy produces several releases with brief development cycles. Quick turnaround times and more productivity result from this.
Among the basic principles of extreme programming are simplicity, communication, feedback, respect, and courage. Additionally, it contains a particular set of XP guidelines that cover every stage from planning through testing.

FAQs:
Question: Why is agile project management used?
Answer: Agile project management makes use of brief development cycles, known as "sprints," which each take stakeholder and customer feedback into account and adapt to create a finished product that is finely tuned.

Question: What is prism in project management?
Answer: Prism stands for "Projects integrating Sustainable Methods" and is a project management system that incorporates sustainability throughout the whole project lifecycle, even much after the project has been completed.

Question: What is Six-sigma in project management?
Answer: An organised method for identifying the cause of more complicated problems is Six Sigma.

Question: What is project management methodology?
Answer: The infrastructure for completing projects is provided by project management methodologies. They provide a framework for the organisation, management, and completion of tasks and projects.

Question: What is Scrum in project management?
Answer: A small team is headed by a Scrum master in this Agile project management style, whose primary responsibility is to eliminate any barriers to getting work done.

Disclaimer: This content was authored by the content team of ET Spotlight team. The news and editorial staff of ET had no role in the creation of this article.

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