Project management methodology (PMM)

Project management methodology (PMM) is a system of principles, techniques, and procedures.

The following is an overview of a few different PMM that hopefully inspires curiosity to learn more. Please contribute additional PMM or other examples to the DLF Project Managers Toolkit.

Waterfall PMM

waterfall (software development)

• detailed linear process of tasks in sequential order
• project flows downward like waterfall
• comprehensive, predictable and planned out
• focus on documentation
• good for large projects with multiple stakeholders
• not flexible, if assumptions are wrong, hard to pivot

critical path method (CPM) (industry)

• identify and schedule tasks, duration and dependencies
• good for tight timelines and repetitive activities
• not good if unsure of timelines, durations for tasks
• not flexible if there are major changes

agile (software development)

• reaction to waterfall method http://agilemanifesto.org/
• "early and often, adjust and iterate"
• flexible and responsive to change
• stakeholders must stay engaged and be available to provide timely feedback
• not always fast in practice if constantly changing deliverables
• not focused on comprehensive documentation

There are many agile approaches including scrum, kanban, feature-driven development, and extreme programming.

scrum (software development)

• small, cross functional teams
• short sprints
• regular "stand-up" meeting
• retrospectives after each sprint
• focus on continual optimization and improvements
• harder to do with fixed budgets and timelines
• self-managing teams can have issues with scope creep

kanban (industry)

• billboard in Japanese
• simple, clear framework
• visualize workflow and tasks
• large and small teams, remote or in person
• not detailed "at-a-glance"
• not if complex, lots of steps in the process

hybrid/structured agile

• combine waterfall and agile methods
• focus on gathering and analyzing requirements then rapid iterations
• best of both worlds - structure and flexibility
• best for medium-sized project with high complexity and fixed budgets

Lean Six Sigma (industry)

• Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control
• cut waste and maximize efficiency
• quality management, continuous improvement
• measuring > analyzing > improving
• large organizations or efficiency is an issue

Integrated Project Management (IPM)

• focus on documents like project charter, plan, execution, monitoring and change control
• meet regularly as team
• accountability
• time for planning

PRiSM Projects Integrating Sustainable Methods

• developed by Green Project Management Global
• account and minimize adverse environmental impacts
• extends beyond the end of the project
• factors in environmental costs and sustainability is key success criteria
• mostly geared to real estate and industrial projects

Approaches also worth noting: Human-centered design - creative approach to problem solving with three phases: inspiration, ideation, implementation; start with people in mind, try it out and test with people in an iterative process. Participatory decision-making - creative approach to enabling the entire group ownership and participation in decisions. It includes an emphasis on facilitation and concensus-building. Participatory Action Research (PAR) is an approach to research emphasizing co-creation, participation, and action by members of communities affected by the research.

Factors in choosing a PM Method

• Project goals, objectives, and complexity
• Team - size, level of experience/training, location - remote/on-site, specialization of roles
• Timeline
• Budget
• Stakeholder expectations
• Values/organizational culture
• Ability to take risk
• Flexibility for change

References

There are lots of great articles, presentations and grey lit out there on project management and digital libraries. We've created a Zotero Group library at https://www.zotero.org/groups/2205688/dlf_pmg? and encourage you to add more when you read something good.