Project Management Methodologies

PROJECT MANAGEMENT METHODOLOGIES

1.1 Methodology and its Role in the Project Management

In simple and concise words, methodology can be phrased as an extensive

doctrine of rules as of which explicit methods and processes are derived to resolve the

assorted problems emerged in any fastidious discipline. It is also scrutinized as a

science of methods or the mother of methods. According to Watson (1972),

methodology is termed as a structured corpse of ideas or coherent thoughts. When

talking about methodologies in the context of project management, it is the sequence

of diverse procedures, practices and principles intended to support project managers

and the individuals responsible for carrying out various projects in any organization.

Different companies and organizations employ project methodologies to

enhance their success because of the fact that these are an essential fraction of the

project framework. These methodologies assist and facilitate project managers to pace

their tasks well by directing them step by step all through the execution of their

projects. Being a project manager, it is crucial to be trained to exploit the project

management methodologies for the reason that they will assist you to organize your

project into a structured, rationalized and collaborative course of action.

1.2 Research and Comparative Analysis of Various Project Methodologies

A project management methodology (PPM) is an inclusive set of finest

practices, apparatuses and procedures of vibrant, flexible and customizable within a

specific environment (Chin & Spowage, 2010).

As we all are familiar with the fact that there exist countless methodologies

available in the market for the project management and being a project manager and

observer, it is your prime job to recognize that businesses are of diverse nature

depending upon the dimension, type, production and many other considerable factors.

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Some of these methodologies developed by numerous professionals related to the

project management (Delisle & Olson 2004) include:

1.2.1 PRINCE2 (Projects in a Controlled Environment)

PRINCE2 is the amalgamation of six variables ranging from costs, quality,

scope, timescales, risk, and benefits and this methodology was developed in the UK.

The management and control of any kinds of projects can be accommodated in

PRINCE2 methodology (Bradley, 2002).

1.2.2 Agile Scrum

Agile methodology is one of the most identifiable and broadly accomplished

methodology frameworks within the perspective of project management. These

frameworks are basically the set of doctrines and Scrum is one of the frameworks of

agile methodology. The prime focus of Agile Scrum methodology is on the

incremental growth in the scheme of project management process. In this

methodology, every iteration or repetition comprised of two-to-four week sprints and

the main purpose is to manufacture important features of the product in a faster way

due to its sprint based model (Angeles, S. 2003).

1.2.3 Comparative Analysis

Perhaps, the most basic differentiation between the PRINCE2 and Scrum is

that the former is a project management method while the later one is development

framework employed by project managers. Another difference is that PRINCE2 is a

predictive plan based approach while Agile Scum is more or less adaptive approach

that too is of short-term duration and employed for incremental developments. Being

a project manager, you need to comprehend the fact that both of the above mentioned

methodologies have their own benefits and can be employed according to business

needs.

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1.3 Project Life Cycle (PLC)

Initiation, planning, execution and closure are the main four phases of PLC

and it comes up with the required tools and templates to complete the project

management task. The project life cycle of PRINCE2 manual has three main parts and

these include; starting up the project, initiation of the project and executing a project.

Each phase is further divided into sub-phases to execute the project well and revision

of project is also considered in between.

Sprint planning, daily scrums, a sprint review, and sprint retrospective phases

complete the project life cycle of Scrum methodology. Sprints in scrum are the

developmental cycles that work on repetitive mode until the project is finished.

Fig 1: The one week sprint life cycle

Agile approaches pertain to very firm regulation to the "Time and Cost" of the

project in a way that features of the project can only be delivered after evaluation and

prioritization.

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References

 Angeles, S. (2013). What is Agile Scrum Methodology? Retrieved on 22

March, 2019 at https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/4987-what-is-agile-

scrum-methodology.html

 Bradley, K. (2002). Understanding PRINCE2.

 Chin, C.M.M. & Spowage, A.C. (2010). Defining & Classifying Project

Management Methodologies. PM World Today XII (V).

 Delisle, C.
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Olson,
Journal ofup? D. (2004).
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Management, real project management
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 Delisle, C.L. & Olson, D. (2004). Would the real project management

language please stand up? International Journal of Project Management,

22,327-337.

 Nader Khorrami Rad (2013). PLANNING LIFECYCLE IN PRINCE2.

Retrieved on 22 March, 2019 at https://www.projectsmart.co.uk/planning-

lifecycle-in-prince2.php mark, C. Layton. The Scrum Sprint Life Cycle.

 Project Life Cycle Services Ltd. AGILE - SCRUM Project Management.

(2019). Retrieved from http://www.projectlifecycleservicesltd.co.uk/project-

management-services/scrum-project-management.php

 Watson, O.C., (ed.), 1972, Larousse Illustrated International, Encyclopedia

and Dictionary, McGraw-Hill International Book Co.