Popular project management methodologies explained

Table of Contents

What is a project management methodology?

Investopedia outlines that project management “involves the planning and organization of a company’s resources to move a specific task, event, or duty towards completion.” The term can be used to refer to something done once or a recurring activity, but it includes oversight of team members, budgets, tools, and intellectual property.

A project management methodology is a specific set of processes and principles that are used to manage, plan, and complete a project. These principles will guide project leaders in the deployment of resources. The project management methodology will also determine how staff members prioritize work.

Types of project management methodologies

There are dozens of project management methodologies to choose from. Each option has a unique set of principles, practices, and rules. Therefore, not all methodologies will align with the goals of your organization.

When selecting a project management methodology, you must evaluate its efficacy based on the specific criteria outlined below. 

However, it is important to remember that there is no “right” and “wrong” methodology. One project management methodology may be perfect for a particular project but poorly suited for another. That is why you should be flexible when deciding which methodology to deploy.

How to choose a project management methodology?

A wealth of factors will influence which project management methodology is a good match for your organization. Criteria that you should consider when making your decision include the following:

Cost and budget

How big is your budget? Does your project involve a lot of variables that may force you to adjust your budget, or is the funding available to you set in stone?

Some methodologies are more flexible, so you can easily adjust them on the fly if your budget has a little wiggle room. Other project management methodologies are incredibly complex, so you’ll have to account for every variable during the planning phase.

Team size

A small team of only 5 to 10 people will have different needs than a massive collection of 100 individuals or more. That is why your team size will be a major determining factor influencing your project management methodology.

Larger groups require a more rigid set of rules that delegates each task. Otherwise, confusion can cause expensive delays that prevent the project from being completed on time.

Risk management

One of the key benefits of adopting a project management methodology is that it helps organizations to mitigate risks. This is especially important when they’re tasked with completing multimillion-dollar projects that could significantly impact the organization’s overall financial success.

Timeline

How long do you have to complete the project? Do stakeholders expect a fast turnaround, or are they more concerned with the quality of the finished product?

Agile project management methodologies will help your team rapidly complete key tasks. However, they usually have fewer quality control measures in place.

On the other hand, a methodology that addresses every component of the project in great detail will preserve the quality of the finished product. Unfortunately, this often comes at the expense of timeliness.

Striking the perfect balance between efficiency and quality control will help you complete a project aligned with set benchmarks.

Flexibility

While thorough planning can help your team remain focused on the core goals of a particular project, the scope of your efforts may change along the way. This is especially true when you’re completing large-scale, lengthy projects.

With this in mind, it’s vital that you select a project management methodology that provides adequate flexibility. Otherwise, you may have to transition your approach mid-project, which can create a logistical nightmare for your staff!

What are the most commonly used project management methodologies?

Now that you know how to determine which project management methodology is the right fit for your business, let’s turn our attention to some of your options!

Below are the most commonly used project management methodologies available when you’re planning your next venture:

Agile

Agile is widely known for being an incredibly flexible project management methodology.

Agile is a great methodology for facilitating interactions between individuals. It is a non-linear methodology, which means that creatives can freely collaborate with one another to develop truly unique products or services.

Agile is best suited for short projects that are subject to change during the development phase.

Most organizations using Agile start by creating large backlogs of pending projects. The project manager is responsible for prioritizing these backlogged tasks so that team members know where to focus their efforts.

Scrum

The Scrum project management methodology is a specific form of “Agile.” When using this method, work is divided into brief cycles, which are commonly referred to as “sprints.” Most organizations limit these sprints to a one to two-week period.

As with the traditional agile methodology, work is selected from a backlog. The Scrum Master leads each Scrum team. This individual is tasked with reviewing their team’s performance and editing the project (if necessary) before they start the next work cycle.

Kanban

Kanban is unique in that it provides everyone involved in the project with a visual overview. This project management methodology incorporates a tool known as a Kanban board.

By visualizing the progress of each piece of work, project managers can easily identify barriers that are hindering the completion of a specific task.

Kanban is typically used in conjunction with the Agile methodology. One of the key tenets of Kanban is that it includes WIP (work-in-progress) limits. These limitations restrict how many projects can be active at a given time, which prevents an organization from overstretching its staff members.

Scrumban

As the name suggests, Scrumban is a hybrid project management methodology that incorporates the key principles of both Scrum and Kanban.

When using this method, teams can continuously select projects from the Kanban backlog. They do not have to wait for the Scrum sprint cycle to end. Instead, they can begin a new project as soon as the Scrum Master has approved their current work.

Scrumban is appealing because it maintains a continuous workflow while still providing organized project planning strategies.

Lean

The Lean project management methodology can trace its roots to the Toyota Production System. Originally, this methodology focused on reducing the amount of waste created during manufacturing. However, it has been modified and applied to project management on a broader scale.

eXtreme Programming (XP)

XP or eXtreme Programming methodology is based on the Agile strategy. This project management methodology was created specifically for software development applications.

At the core of the XP methodology are five values, which include the following:

• Simplicity
• Communication
• Feedback
• Respect
• Courage

You may want to deploy this methodology if your goal is to foster collaboration amongst a small, on-site team.

Waterfall

The Waterfall project methodology earned its namesake due to its linear format. Each sequence in the Waterfall protocol cascades into the next.

While the sequences included in your Waterfall project management methodology can vary, this approach typically incorporates the following stages:

• Analysis
• Design
• Construction
• Testing
• Deployment
• Maintenance

The Waterfall methodology is a suitable option if your project’s end goal is clearly defined. However, it offers minimal flexibility, which makes it a poor fit for more dynamic projects.

PRINCE2

PRINCE2 or Projects IN Controlled Environments, is a formal certification and project management methodology that is designed to equip managers with a working knowledge of best practices.

You do not need to obtain any prerequisites before enrolling in this program. This makes PRINCE 2 a good option for individuals who want to learn project management methodology basics.

PMI’s PMBOK

The Project Management Institute has developed its own Project Management Book of Knowledge (PMBOK). This comprehensive guide covers a multitude of best practices for project management.

Individuals who complete this course can receive a Project Management Professional certification from the PMI, which will distinguish them as experts on the subject.

Project management solutions from Pathstream

While many different project management methodologies are available, the PMI PMBOK option is the most comprehensive option. The PMBOK will teach you the core tenets of project management and equip you to choose the right methodology for your organization’s needs.

However, preparing for the PMI exam can be quite challenging.

Fortunately, Pathstream has the perfect solution via our Asana Project Management Certificate. In addition, this program will teach you how to perform project management using Asana. Our program is divided into three 6-week courses that include hands-on learning experiences.

Upon completing this program, you will have earned the 23 hours of project management education necessary to sit for the Certified Associate in Project Management exam administered by the Project Management Institute.

Contact us today to speak with an advisor if you want to learn more about our program.