Project Management Methodologies

1. Project Management Methodologies

A project management methodology is a way to help you plan and run your projects efficiently. A methodology is a structured approach or system of practices, techniques, procedures, and rules used to plan, execute, and complete a project.

key concept

Think of it as a set of rules and tools that guide you in getting the best results. It’s like a road map for your project. Project management is crucial for teams and organizations because it helps them stay organized and meet their goals. However, to be successful, you need to choose the right methodology that fits your team, project, organization, and what you want to achieve. This ensures everything runs smoothly and efficiently.

think about it

  Do you think companies might use more than one methodology, depending on the type of project?

Yes, no two projects are exactly alike, even if you use templates to try to copy past successes. Different teams have different goals and ways of working, which can vary a lot between industries. This means there’s no single way to manage every project. What works great for one team might be a disaster for another. For instance, many software developers found that traditional project management methods were not effective. Instead, these methods were slowing them down and hurting their results. So, they created new project management approaches that better suited their needs. Soon, other teams and industries began to adapt these new methods to fit their own unique situations. Now, there are many different project management methodologies to choose from, each tailored to different needs and uses.

When companies choose the best project management methodology, it involves looking at different factors related to the project, team, and organization. Important things to think about include how complicated the project is, what skills your team has, how much the stakeholders are involved, and what the project’s main goals are. By understanding these factors, you can pick a method that fits your project’s specific needs and increases the chances of it being successful. Therefore, choosing the right project management methodology depends on several important factors. Let’s visit some!

• Cost and budget: First, consider your budget. Are you working with a tight budget, or do you have some flexibility to spend more if needed?
• Team size: Next, think about your team’s size. Do you have a small, self-managing team, or do you need to organize a larger group with clear roles?
• Ability to take risks: Also, assess your ability to take risks. Is the project high stakes and does it need careful handling, or is it smaller and does it allow for experimenting?
• Flexibility: Flexibility is another key factor—can the project’s goals change as you go along, or is the end result fixed?
• Timeline: Consider your timeline, too. Do you need to finish quickly, or can you take more time to ensure high quality?
• Client/stakeholder collaboration: Lastly, think about how much the client or stakeholders should be involved. Do they need to be very engaged, or can they take a back seat?

term to know

Methodology

A structured approach or system of practices, techniques, procedures, and rules used to plan, execute, and complete a project.

2. Project Management Methodology Types

There are many different industries, so that leaves project managers with many different types of methodologies to choose from! In this lesson, we will focus on the five main ones that are used and then see how they are used across industries.

2a. Waterfall Methodology

The Waterfall methodology is a traditional way to manage projects. It is one of the most traditional approaches because it has been used since the mid-20th century. It involves completing tasks and phases one after the other, in a straight line. You have to finish one stage before moving on to the next.

Here are the stages you usually follow in the Waterfall method:

• Requirements: Figuring out what needs to be done
• Analysis: Looking closely at the requirements to understand them better
• Design: Planning how the project will look and work
• Construction: Actually building or creating the project
• Testing: Checking to make sure everything works right
• Deployment & Maintenance: Putting the project into use and keeping it running smoothly

Industries That Use This Methodology

We often see companies in construction and engineering use this method, because often construction is a linear process, in that one thing needs to be done before another. For example, if you were building a house, you need to lay a concrete foundation first, before you can start framing the house. You couldn’t, say, install sinks before the plumbing lines are run to the street. This is why construction lends itself to the Waterfall method. Large, manufactured items, such as airplanes, often use this sequential method for the same reasons.

term to know

Waterfall Methodology

A traditional way to manage projects that involves completing tasks and phases one after the other, in a straight line.

2b. Agile Methodology

Agile project management is a flexible, iterative approach to managing projects that emphasizes collaboration, customer feedback, and rapid delivery of small, functional pieces of a project. What these methods have in common are a few key principles: They are collaborative, meaning teams work closely together; they are quick, allowing for fast progress; and they are open to changes based on data, which means they can adapt easily.

The Agile methodology involves working in short phases, with lots of testing and reassessment, so that teams can quickly adapt to new information or feedback. In many Agile approaches, all the tasks that need to be done are added to a list called a backlog. Teams work through this backlog in cycles, and project managers or product owners decide which tasks are most important, so the teams know what to focus on first.

IN CONTEXT
Agile Connection

During the pre-project phase, the Waterfall method focuses on formality and ensuring the project details are well defined. In other words, very clear elements are outlined. In Agile, a business case is still done but may be smaller in scope, since Agile focuses on an iterative process, where there is some planning, but not every detail is planned out like with Waterfall.

Industries That Use This Methodology

We often see Agile used in industries that are fast moving, such as software and technology. This is because, sometimes, all requirements aren’t clear up-front; therefore, a project needs to be open to meet the needs of users. Google, for example, uses Agile for developing Gmail and Maps. Many banks use Agile when developing their software or websites to quickly accommodate consumer digital banking needs. Since Agile can move quicker and in a less linear manner than Waterfall, it is best used when there are more unknowns, unlike building a house, where the steps are fairly clear and laid out.

terms to know

Agile Project Management

A flexible, iterative approach to managing projects that emphasizes collaboration, customer feedback, and rapid delivery of small, functional pieces of a project.

Agile Methodology

A type of project management approach that involves working in short phases, with lots of testing and reassessment, so that teams can quickly adapt to new information or feedback.

2c. Kanban Methodology

The Kanban methodology is another used in Agile project management, and it originally came from the manufacturing industry, actually the concept came from Toyota. It is a visual project management method used to manage work as it moves through a process. In Kanban, tasks are visually shown on a board called a Kanban board. This board has several columns, and each column stands for a different stage in the process of completing a task. Tasks start in a column for new work and are moved through the columns as they get done. The team takes tasks from a list called a backlog whenever they have the time and ability to work on them. This way, work is done continuously, and everyone can see what stage each task is in.

Industries That Use This Methodology

Kanban is still used today by Toyota to manage inventory and production flow in the factory. We also see companies like Microsoft use this method to work on bug fixes for their software. Spotify uses Kanban boards to help visualize workflow and deliver new features for users. Kanban is often used in these industries to optimize manufacturing flow and works well when there is a physical workflow (like the production of cars) and the workflow is repetitive. Because it is a visual method, it allows for greater efficiency for teams.

term to know

Kanban Methodology

A visual project management method used to manage work as it moves through a process.

2d. Scrum Methodology

The Scrum methodology is a type of Agile project management that acts more like a framework than a strict method. In other words, Scrum is one way to implement Agile. In the Scrum methodology, work is divided into short cycles called sprints, which last about 1–2 weeks. During each sprint, teams take tasks from a list called a backlog and focus on completing them. Small teams are led by a Scrum Master, who helps guide the team during the sprint. The Scrum Master is the person who guides and supports the team, ensures that everyone follows the Scrum methodology process, and removes any obstacles that might slow down the team’s progress. After each sprint, the team holds a “sprint retrospective” to review how things went and make improvements before starting the next sprint.

Industries That Use This Methodology

Since Scrum is focused on short sprints or time frames to accommodate changing needs, it works well for technology and software development. Remember, Scrum is one way that can be used to implement Agile, so many of the same types of companies that use Agile may also use Scrum as their approach.

did you know

Scrum isn’t an acronym—it comes from rugby. In that sport, a scrum is when players huddle closely and push forward together to advance the ball. The method’s creators borrowed the term because they saw a parallel: just as rugby players coordinate to make progress, development teams should work collectively to achieve their goals.

terms to know

Scrum Methodology

A type of Agile project management that acts more like a framework than a strict method; work is divided into short cycles called sprints.

Sprint

A short cycle of work, usually lasting about 1–2 weeks, where the team focuses on completing specific tasks from the backlog.

Scrum Master

A person who guides and supports the team, ensures that everyone follows the Scrum methodology process, and removes any obstacles that might slow down the team’s progress.

2e. Lean Methodology

The Lean methodology was started in manufacturing, especially with the Toyota Production System. It started with the Japanese idea of Kaizen, which means continuous improvement; Kaizen is now one of the core Lean principles. The Lean methodology is a business and project management approach focused on maximizing value to the customer while minimizing waste.

Originally, this meant cutting down on physical waste in the manufacturing process, but now it also refers to getting rid of wasteful practices in project management. There are three main types of waste in Lean, known as the 3Ms:

• Muda: This is the first “M,” which means wastefulness and using up resources without adding any value for the customer.
• Mura: The second “M” is unevenness, which happens when too much is produced in one area, causing problems like too much inventory or inefficient processes.
• Muri: The third “M” is overburden, which occurs when resources like equipment and people are overused, leading to breakdowns in both machines and humans. By following Lean principles, project managers can reduce these types of waste and create more efficient workflows.

Industries That Use This Methodology

Many industries use the concept of Lean project management to help reduce waste and streamline internal processes. Often, this type of method is used in combination with other methods, and the advantage of doing this is to improve efficiency in projects, cut waste, control schedules, and streamline projects. For example, John Deere uses Lean project management in manufacturing processes but uses a Waterfall method when developing new hardware. It also uses Agile when developing software. So, as you can see, many companies will use a variety of project management methodologies in different aspects of their business to accommodate specific needs.

Let’s take one last look at the methods we’ve discussed and review their important aspects:

learn more

Aside from the Lean project methodology, there are other types of Lean methodologies based on a data-driven, team-based approach that combines the principles of Lean and Six Sigma to improve performance and efficiency by reducing waste and variation.

To learn more, check out the article Green Lean Six Sigma in the Food Industry: A Systematic Literature Review.

terms to know

Lean Methodology

A business and project management approach focused on maximizing value to the customer while minimizing waste.

Kaizen

A Japanese term that means “continuous improvement,” from which the idea of Lean methodology originated.

REFERENCES

McDermott, O., Moloney, C., Noonan, J., & Rosa, A. (2024). Green Lean Six Sigma in the food industry: A systematic literature review. British Food Journal, 126(13), 455–469. www.emerald.com/bfj/article/126/13/455/1234086/Green-Lean-Six-Sigma-in-the-food-industry-a