Taking on new position for company where I'll be leading project to consolidate the brand's websites under one umbrella into hub structure. I'm curious if Agile or PMP (Waterfall) methodology would be best fit. There is no existing PM process in place and I'd like to work on a certification. Saving Changes...
Wade HarshmanScrum Master| GDITIndianapolis, In, United States
Jan 27, 2020 3:06 PM
Replying to Prem Schoff
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Thanks Wade - this is helpful. I think we'll want to put out version 1 - gather feedback/web analytics and then refine for version 2 and so forth. It does seem like Waterfall may not be the right approach.
As it doesn't seem like the department has a pre-defined PM approach in place, I was wondering if I should prep with acclimating to particular methodologies prior to starting the position and whether it would be helpful to pursue any formal certification.
You should definitely let your project stakeholders in on your plan, especially if they're unfamiliar with incremental development. I had a team working in a highly regulated company that typically delivered all-or-nothing project deliverables, so software development projects were uncomfortable because they weren't used to working in iterations. But if you can make them feel like it's their idea, they'll support you.
The formal certifications probably won't help you unless your company is willing to pay you more for them, but the education that comes with the certifications will definitely help. Do some reading on the web or watch some videos online to see what interests you, and it might be worth paying for a course if you decide to learn more about a specific framework or practice. Saving Changes...
I do believe that you need both knowledge, both are complementing each other and a really good PM will have good knowledge in waterfall, Agile and hybrid approaches cause as a PM you will need to use them in a specific project, for me PMBOK provide a good deep and comprehensive knowledge about how to manage risk, schedule, cost, procurement including contract which you won't find it in ACP, while in ACP you will learn how to be more adaptable, flexible and build a real mindset for it, also engaging SH using new different tools and techniques which are emphasizing the collaboration and visualization in the project, and this is very effective in all project we work on today whether it's waterfall or Agile Saving Changes...
Start small, don't overwhelm your stakeholders. Pick the "right" approach for the context of this project - it is equally bad to use an adaptive approach for all projects as it is to use a predictive one for all.
And certification should follow experience, not precede it. Saving Changes...
thanks Kiron - if certification follows experience (which I believe PMI does require) what's a good way to learn ? there is no formal PM process/method in place in the department where I'll be working .. I took a general overview online course but I guess I could continue that route in addition to books/online content .. Start new position in 3 weeks so was hoping to attain a good base of knowledge before hand
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1 reply by Kiron Bondale
Jan 28, 2020 1:31 AM
Kiron Bondale
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I'd suggest taking a foundational (non-certification) course in traditional and adaptive project lifecycle approaches as a starting point.
thanks Kiron - if certification follows experience (which I believe PMI does require) what's a good way to learn ? there is no formal PM process/method in place in the department where I'll be working .. I took a general overview online course but I guess I could continue that route in addition to books/online content .. Start new position in 3 weeks so was hoping to attain a good base of knowledge before hand
I'd suggest taking a foundational (non-certification) course in traditional and adaptive project lifecycle approaches as a starting point.
Most web-development projects can benefit from an agile approach. There is no thing called "agile methodology" but Scrum is probably the most popular framework for working in an agile way, partly because Scrum's emphasis on predictability, measurement and making results visible is very reassuring for organisations that have been used to more sequential and process-driven methods. If there is an existing team or teams then do seek their views. Agile does favour teams who can self-organise and the fact that you are asking this question suggests they may not be used to that. Saving Changes...
Tri NguyenIT System Analyst/Project Management| Michaels StoresHaltom City, Tx, United States
To me it is not about using waterfall or agile but we should approach any project with hybrid practice in mind. We are apply agile not doing agile. I will practice both waterfall and agile if applicable. Saving Changes...
Ok sounds like a hybrid approach is most applicable .. I know Agile isn't that common in Pharmaceutical industry due to heavy regulatory, medical and legal oversight for marketing. But it seems I could apply Agile principles to more traditional PM processes. I suppose studying PMBOK and perhaps taking some Agile (Scrum / Kanban) online courses could best prepare me Saving Changes...
Tri NguyenIT System Analyst/Project Management| Michaels StoresHaltom City, Tx, United States
of course you can practice agile project management in any projects, including heavy regulatory projects. the point is how you are being agile and when to take advantage of waterfall methodology for your projects. Good luck. Saving Changes...
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