Project Management Methodologies

Project Management Methodology refers to a collection of guiding principles, best practices, processes and tools and techniques which can be applied to achieve project objectives of completing the scope in time within budget meeting the quality standards and fulfilling all the stakeholder expectations. Project management methodologies provide a proven framework which can be quickly adopted by the project teams for managing their projects.

The so called project management methodologies will include 2 distinct set of guidelines integrated into one. First is the product development processes and principles; and the other will be project management processes and guidelines.

Projects are unique. We can have different kinds of projects which we undertake. While a project may include developing a product where requirements are well defined and well understood, another project may involve developing a product where the requirements will be evolving in a dynamic environment. Based on the dynamics of the project, there are different methodologies and guidelines which are available to be applied in specific situations.

At a broad level, these methodologies can be categorized as:

1. Traditional Sequential Methodologies (For projects where requirements can be well defined)
2. Agile Family Methodologies (For projects where the requirements will be evolving)
3. Change Management Based Methodologies
4. Process Based Methodologies
5. Collaborative Development Methodologies
6. Other Project Management Methodology

Some of the popular project management methodologies include the following:

1. Agile Methodology

a)Adaptive Project Framework
b)Agile Project Management
c)Crystal Methods Dynamic System Development Model (DSDM)
d)Extreme Programming (XP)
e)Feature Driven Development (FDD)
f)Scrum

2. Change Management Methodologies

a)Event Change Methodology
b)Extreme Project Management

3. Process Based Methodologies

a)Lean Development
b)Kanban
c)Six-Sigma
d)Process Based Project Management

4. Collaborative Project Management

a)Rapid Application Development (RAD)
b)Joint Application Development (JAD)

5. Traditional Methodologies

a)Critical Chain Project Management
b)Spiral Model
c)Waterfall Model

6. Other Methodologies

a)PRINCE2
b)PMBOK Guidelines
c)PRiSM
d)Rational Unified Process (RUP)

From the above methodologies and guidelines, one can choose the right one based on the specific needs of the project.

Agile, Crystal Methods, DSDM, XP,FDD and Scrum are development methodologies which thrives on the agile manifesto and principles. These are used for new product development where the requirements are very dynamic and can be changing. Hence the developments are carried out in smaller iterations by having smaller, collaborative and self-organizing teams. Example will be futuristic software application and product development.

Waterfall Model is used for development of products where the requirements can be clearly established upfront. Hence a complete plan can also be established upfront. Minimal changes are expected through the projects. Examples of waterfall model application will be in construction projects.

RUP has been traditionally used for software development projects only. JAD and RAD methods give immense emphasis on involving the end users in the project to collect requirements in a fast yet steady manner.

PMBOK Guide simply provides a set of proven guidelines for project management which can be applied in any of the above methods. PMBOK guidelines are published by PMI based in USA. PRINCE2 is a methodology for project management which is published from UK and is quite popular in UK and Europe. PRiSM is a guidelines established by the body of Green Project Management

Conclusion

Project Management Methodologies as a topic is very broad. It includes the principles, guidelines, processes, methods and tools & techniques. The project team has to choose the right set of methods and guidelines for their projects.