Methodology for project management

Every project manager follows a methodology to accomplish difficult projects. As they say, “ Project management is like science”. Similarly, project managers are like scientists, who try out different methods by trial and error to accomplish various projects. With so many different options, schools of thought and management tools, how do you know which method is right for your projects?
Let’s take a look at some of the most popular project management methodologies.
TRADITIONAL
Waterfall
This being a traditional methodology is the simplest and easiest to understand. In this methodology, there is a sequence of tasks which leads to the final deliverable. One task must be completed before the next one begins, in a connected sequence of items that add up to the overall deliverable. The effectiveness of this methodology is that every step is pre-planned. Any changes in customer’s need or priorities will disrupt the entire sequence of tasks, making it very difficult to manage.
Critical Path method (CPM)
The critical path method was developed in the 1950s. It follows the ideology where you can’t start one task until a previous one has been finished. When you join these dependent tasks together, you plot your critical path.
Identification of the critical path allows project managers to prioritize and allocate resources to get the most important work done. It helps the project managers to optimize team’s work in case of any changes without delaying the end results. It is optimal for projects with short deadlines.
MODERN
Agile
This project methodology focuses on visualizing end state. Agile?—?a refinement of earlier methodologies provide rapid continuous delivery. Agile’s four main values are expressed as:
Individuals and interactions over processes and tools
Working software over comprehensive documentation
Customer collaboration over contract negotiation
Responding to change over following a plan
Teams following Agile methodology work in cycles of planning, executing and evaluating results at the end. Depending upon the results of these evaluations, the final deliverable may be modified in order to create a better end result for the customer. It mainly emphasizes on continuous collaboration both within the project team members and with project stakeholders.
Scrum
Scrum is the most famous agile methodology because it is relatively simpler to implement. In this methodology, a small team is led by scrum master often called Subject matter experts (SME) who makes way for effective collaboration and deliver high results. The team works in short cycles of two weeks called “sprints,” where daily discussions are held to discuss the latest developments. This methodology allows quick developments with intense communication, especially for smaller teams.
Kanban
It was developed by Toyota during the 1940s and in Japanese, the word “Kanban” stands for visual system of cards. A Kanban board is mainly a workflow visualization tool that maximizes the productivity of a team by reducing the idle time. Over the span of years, it has grown as a methodology that has been accepted as a tool to manage tasks in projects.
This visual approach to manage a project is well-suited to work that requires steady output. Here, the team members often create a visual representation of their tasks and move them through various stages in the process. It helps the teams to improve efficiency by visualizing where time is actually being spent.
PROCESS BASED
Lean
Lean is a methodology that is focused on streamlining and cutting out waste. The first step is to create a work process breakdown to identify and eliminate bottlenecks, delays, and all forms of waste (“muda”). The goal is to do more with less i.e. deliver value to the customer using less manpower, less money, and less time.
Six-sigma
This is a data-driven process-improvement methodology focused on eliminating defects and errors. Six Sigma is a formal, highly structured scientific and mathematical approach to problem-solving. A process can attain a rating of Six Sigma if 99.99966% of the final product is defect-free.
Lean six sigma (LSS)
LSS combines the best of Lean and Six Sigma, LSS concentrates on what is critical to quality in a process while removing waste and reducing defects. Lean Six Sigma focuses on eliminating waste so that projects are more efficient, cost effective, and truly answer customers’ needs.
HYBRID
Disciplined Agile Delivery (DAD)
This is an agile/lean approach borrows principles from Scrum, Kanban, Extreme Programming, and others. DAD extends the short cycles, lean, and visual approaches found in the other frameworks and provide and non-prescriptive approach. This allows teams to fully consider viable alternatives. This ultimately helps you to find an approach best suited to your project management style.
All of these methodologies will bring benefits to an organization, but choosing, training and implementing a new methodology is no small task, so take time to ensure you select the best fit for your team. You can also take opinions from your fellow employees which methodologies they’ve used and had the most success with. So leverage the experience of your colleagues. Choose a methodology that reflects your management and leadership style and build the right team so that you can accomplish every project with aplomb.

Brace yourself,Vartika! When Sergio sees your post is going to tell you that Agile is not a methodology and independent of project management.

Every project manager follows a methodology to accomplish difficult projects. As they say, “ Project management is like science”. Similarly, project managers are like scientists, who try out different methods by trial and error to accomplish various projects. With so many different options, schools of thought and management tools, how do you know which method is right for your projects?
Let’s take a look at some of the most popular project management methodologies.
TRADITIONAL
Waterfall
This being a traditional methodology is the simplest and easiest to understand. In this methodology, there is a sequence of tasks which leads to the final deliverable. One task must be completed before the next one begins, in a connected sequence of items that add up to the overall deliverable. The effectiveness of this methodology is that every step is pre-planned. Any changes in customer’s need or priorities will disrupt the entire sequence of tasks, making it very difficult to manage.
Critical Path method (CPM)
The critical path method was developed in the 1950s. It follows the ideology where you can’t start one task until a previous one has been finished. When you join these dependent tasks together, you plot your critical path.
Identification of the critical path allows project managers to prioritize and allocate resources to get the most important work done. It helps the project managers to optimize team’s work in case of any changes without delaying the end results. It is optimal for projects with short deadlines.
MODERN
Agile
This project methodology focuses on visualizing end state. Agile?—?a refinement of earlier methodologies provide rapid continuous delivery. Agile’s four main values are expressed as:
Individuals and interactions over processes and tools
Working software over comprehensive documentation
Customer collaboration over contract negotiation
Responding to change over following a plan
Teams following Agile methodology work in cycles of planning, executing and evaluating results at the end. Depending upon the results of these evaluations, the final deliverable may be modified in order to create a better end result for the customer. It mainly emphasizes on continuous collaboration both within the project team members and with project stakeholders.
Scrum
Scrum is the most famous agile methodology because it is relatively simpler to implement. In this methodology, a small team is led by scrum master often called Subject matter experts (SME) who makes way for effective collaboration and deliver high results. The team works in short cycles of two weeks called “sprints,” where daily discussions are held to discuss the latest developments. This methodology allows quick developments with intense communication, especially for smaller teams.
Kanban
It was developed by Toyota during the 1940s and in Japanese, the word “Kanban” stands for visual system of cards. A Kanban board is mainly a workflow visualization tool that maximizes the productivity of a team by reducing the idle time. Over the span of years, it has grown as a methodology that has been accepted as a tool to manage tasks in projects.
This visual approach to manage a project is well-suited to work that requires steady output. Here, the team members often create a visual representation of their tasks and move them through various stages in the process. It helps the teams to improve efficiency by visualizing where time is actually being spent.
PROCESS BASED
Lean
Lean is a methodology that is focused on streamlining and cutting out waste. The first step is to create a work process breakdown to identify and eliminate bottlenecks, delays, and all forms of waste (“muda”). The goal is to do more with less i.e. deliver value to the customer using less manpower, less money, and less time.
Six-sigma
This is a data-driven process-improvement methodology focused on eliminating defects and errors. Six Sigma is a formal, highly structured scientific and mathematical approach to problem-solving. A process can attain a rating of Six Sigma if 99.99966% of the final product is defect-free.
Lean six sigma (LSS)
LSS combines the best of Lean and Six Sigma, LSS concentrates on what is critical to quality in a process while removing waste and reducing defects. Lean Six Sigma focuses on eliminating waste so that projects are more efficient, cost effective, and truly answer customers’ needs.
HYBRID
Disciplined Agile Delivery (DAD)
This is an agile/lean approach borrows principles from Scrum, Kanban, Extreme Programming, and others. DAD extends the short cycles, lean, and visual approaches found in the other frameworks and provide and non-prescriptive approach. This allows teams to fully consider viable alternatives. This ultimately helps you to find an approach best suited to your project management style.
All of these methodologies will bring benefits to an organization, but choosing, training and implementing a new methodology is no small task, so take time to ensure you select the best fit for your team. You can also take opinions from your fellow employees which methodologies they’ve used and had the most success with. So leverage the experience of your colleagues. Choose a methodology that reflects your management and leadership style and build the right team so that you can accomplish every project with aplomb.