Today, more and more companies are switching to projects. In fact, any major work task is a project, because it has a purpose, deadlines, and resources are allocated for its implementation. The project must be skillfully managed. Project management is actively used in the work of IT companies, creative and web agencies, international corporations and even government agencies. What are the main project management methods?
Basics of project management
The methodology of any project management is the standardization of its implementation. To date, certain templates have been created for project implementation, which will help to avoid many current problems and get a finished product as a result. At the same time, keep in mind that each project is unique, so the methodology is not a panacea, and you will have to think.
To date, a huge number of project management methods have been developed. Some are used in only one company, other are global ones that are used by businesses of different directions in all parts of the world.
Waterfall
Waterfall (cascade method) is the traditional, most common and logical method of project management.
The waterfall model involves the sequential process, broken down into stages or steps. It is usually applied to projects that can be divided into successive logical parts. In addition, no stage can be performed earlier than the previous one. The logic of such a project is easy to understand and describe.
Such projects have a clear plan, and the main task of the project manager is to ensure that project executors adhere to the plan and do not break deadlines.
The advantages of this method of project management are its clear and simple logic, stability of tasks and a realistic assessment of the cost and timing of the project. In addition, even small companies can afford the waterfall model. It can be operated by one or two people, so the cost of maintenance is low.
Among the disadvantages are the lack of flexibility, the inability to adjust the individual steps to obtain a better result. In addition, in the event of a shortage of resources, the quality of project implementation may suffer.
Agile
Agile is an extremely popular project management method today. This is a very flexible management system, the characteristic features of which are the provision of the final product at each stage of work and the unclear end of the project.
The main principle of work is the division of the project into short cycles (iterations), at the end of each the customer receives a certain product.
Agile has a wide range of applications, but it is best used in IT.
Agile stages may not follow sequentially, but occur in parallel or in different order. The key point is that at each stage of the project implementation its product can be used.
Stages are called sprints, each of which contains a set of operations and timing of their implementation. Deadlines are scheduled immediately before the sprint. Sprint tasks are compiled into a backlog which is a special repository to which the product owner has access.
Agile is effective for the implementation of startups, when the end result is not fully understood, and forecasts should be checked quickly and be flexible. Also, this management method is used if the clients are constantly changing their expectations. Even under such uncertain conditions, agile helps to win. The project manager determines how much time the team spends on the implementation of certain wishes of the client and issues a bill at the end of each sprint, which cannot last more than two weeks.
The advantages of this method are a high level of interaction between project team members, fast results, and flexibility. Of course, there are drawbacks. For example, the application of this method can turn a project into a cascade of constant and ineffective changes. In addition, the project depends on the level of qualification and experience of the team. And it is almost impossible to calculate its final cost.
Scrum
A well-known flexible method, a kind of agile subtype is scrum method. Translated from English, the word means “fight for the ball in rugby, cram.”
The structure of the scrum is quite rigid. There is a set of approaches to project implementation that work together more effectively than individually.
Scrum is usually used where there is a product that has value for users and customers. In addition, it is necessary to understand as soon as possible whether the project implementation course has been chosen correctly. Scrum allows you to adjust it in case of mistake. The format of this method allows you to receive the next version of the product more often, provide regular feedback and quickly refine the product, improving the process.
The method directs all participants in the project to active interaction and interchangeability. If one of the team members is unable to do their job, it is immediately picked up by another, not allowing the project to stand still. Responsibility for project implementation is collective. That is why decisions based on this method are made collectively. No one can push and force another decision if the team is sure they have settled on the right one.
The team that implements the project using scrum method must have a scrum master. The main role of this person is to follow the process of work, the inner life of the team, to motivate people, to overcome obstacles on the way to achieving team goals. It's something like a coach.
The advantages of this methodology include transparency. The team carries out an open exchange of information, knowledge, problems, everyone feels involved in a common goal. The customer is always aware of the work process, makes changes, receives reliable information about the timing of the project.
There are also disadvantages. This method is not suitable for projects with vague requirements for the final product, because the customer can increase the functionality indefinitely. It is sometimes difficult for teams to learn to set priorities and evaluate tasks correctly, and the overall success of a project depends in part on the professionalism of one person – the scrum master.
