Organizing a team to successfully accomplish a project is not an easy task. Fortunately, if you use a reliable project management software and follow a project management methodology, you can easily structure your project into an organized, streamlined process. With these project management methodologies, team collaboration becomes more efficient and projects become better organized. There are several project management styles that can be adopted for a better and timely project delivery, and thirteen of them are explained below.
1. Agile
Agile project management method is most suitable for projects that call for extreme flexibility and speed. It involves breaking down of milestones into short delivery cycles or “sprints”. This project management method is often used for in-house teams, and was created for managing projects that don’t necessarily require extensive control over the deliverables.
2. Traditional
This project management method is largely a classical approach. It simply evaluates the various tasks needed for a project’s completion, and offers a process to manage and monitor the completion of the tasks. When a project is in development, the project manager coaches the team members carrying out those tasks and provides them with feedback. This helps in making sure that the project reaches its desirable outcome.
3. Waterfall
The waterfall management method is built upon the framework of the traditional project method. It is built on the assumption that team members rely upon the completion of other members’ tasks before they can complete their own tasks. There is a sequence for task completion among members that must be followed, and team members must correspond with each other. Each team member must play their part by completing their tasks. This way, they enable other members to complete theirs too.
4. Adaptive
Just like the name suggests, this project management method involves making the project adapt to any necessary requirements. While the cost and time needed to complete the project might remain constant, the project scope can vary. The project scope can be adjusted while being executed. This is usually done to get maximum value out of a project.
5. Critical Path
This is a step-by-step method that is more effective on projects with tasks that depend on each other. This project management style allow for easy management of interdependent activities. Work is broken down into segments using a structure that can track the timeline needed to complete these dependencies, their deliverables, and their milestones.
6. Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT)
This method is usually used with the interdependent management method. It is usually used in developmental processes and manufacturing. Program evaluation is especially used by businesses that plan to expand in immediate future. A project manager is expected to differentiate between events, then measure the progress of various activities and tasks being completed.
7. Rational Unified Process (RUP)
This process is often used in projects involving software development. It features iterative style that allows for cyclical projects requiring feedback from users or beta testing. This can have effects on the product and in turn change production. Users test and evaluate performance at the end of every cycle.
8. Critical Chain
This method builds upon the PERT method and the critical path style. This method helps the project managers to create goals and assemble their teams based around their budget and other project constraints. Project managers can use their data to determine areas where benefits such as cost savings can be had.
9. Extreme
This project management method is designed to cut down the total time for each repetitive cycle within a project cutting it down into weekly or daily processes. Whether a cycle is already completed or reached functionality, the project manager will assign a number or a name to it. In addition, such projects are updated regularly and user requests are taken into account for future cycles.
10. Scrum
Scrum project management style is derived from the agile project management method. It is an iterative management style that feature various “sprints” that often last for 30 days. Sprints are used to prioritize several project tasks, and to ensure they are completed within the specified time. The process is facilitated by a Scrum Master who assembles teams and overlooks the meetings.
11. Six Sigma
This is a data-driven project management style featuring 3 essential components. The first is DMAIC that involves defining, measuring, analyzing, improving, and controlling. The second is DMADV that involves defining, measuring, analyzing, designing, and verifying. Lastly, there is DFSS that involves design for six sigma and can include the previous processes mentioned.
12. Crystal
This method emphasizes on team communication. It lowers priorities on tasks and project processes. The project is centered on skills and interaction between team members. It is a method that is often used in businesses with creative talents.
13. Joint Application Development
It allows the project to have joint development processes by involving clients right from the beginning of the project. The clients must have meetings and sessions with the team in order to be able to collaborate freely. The client provides ideas and feedback, and participates throughout the entire project lifecycle.
How To Choose the Right Method
There is no hard-and-fast rule to choose one from the many project management methodologies, and the selection varies from project to project. After learning how each of these styles work, some factors can be considered to help in choosing the right one, such as organizational goals, project constraints, project size, core values, stakeholders, project cost and risks, and the need for flexibility. A suitable project management methodology is very important for the successful completion of a project as it transforms the ways that your team collaborates, accomplishes milestones, and delivers the project.
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