Customized Approaches to Project Management
There are many different ways to manage a project. In fact, you may find you need to shift your approach mid-project if you are not succeeding in tackling the set of unique challenges you are facing. There are several recognized approaches to project management, and each one is suited to specific projects and teams. It is also possible to mix and match them as you go, customizing your approach to suit the project’s development.
What Are The Different Project Management Approaches?
Most project managers will speak of five possible project management methodologies: traditional, agile, waterfall, systems, and program management.
Traditional: For projects where not much variability is expected, the straightforward, traditional approach works perfectly well. Here you have a set of deliverables to complete in a set period, under a pre-established budget.
Agile: Sometimes, you need a more flexible approach. When traditional timelines and budgets don’t apply, and the project flows more unpredictably, an agile approach will help you change your strategy based on available feedback.
Waterfall: You may want an even more regimented approach than the traditional one, in which case, the Waterfall is for you. Here, your project is broken down into linear steps. You don’t start the next step until the current one is complete. This is a simple approach that really helps to provide structure and purpose at each stage.
Systems project management is a methodical, cyclical approach. The project advances through different stages: planning, execution. These three phases run in an endless loop until the process is complete.
Program management: Through program management, project managers can empower themselves to manage many projects at once - whether they are connected or not.
Every project manager should select an approach based on what feels right for their management style, as well as what the project requires. You could choose one of these five, or you could create a hybrid with two or more of them. You can always adapt them as you progress, or combine two more approaches as you see fit.
Dimensional Concepts provides expert project management services for companies of all types and sizes. Contact us for more information on our project management, managed IT and database management services, as well as others.