Project management is the process of planning, controlling. Organizing and directing a project’s activities. A project is a contractual activity that is designed to produce a unique and specific product or service at the end of the period, with specific time period, budget estimation, scope, quality and resources (which are normally referred to as the primary constraints) (Goff, 2007). A project is also designed to achieve the objectives and goals set and anticipated by the client or customer. Therefore, project management is basically the application of management into a project to enable it succeed in its purpose. The overall goal of project management in every project is to achieve the project’s objectives with the available requirements (Chin et al, 2012). For project management discipline to be effective and efficient, the project managers or the management team must be able to apply their knowledge, skills, techniques and tools in achieving the project’s objectives (Rivera and Kashiwagi, 2016). In other words, the management team must give the process all of their concentration for the project to reach the expected benefits.
On the other hand, a methodology is a system of practices, techniques, procedures and rules that are used to guide a group of people working in a certain discipline. A methodology directs the project team on how to conduct themselves, what to do, when and how with the sole aim of completing the project successfully (Chin and Spowage, 2010). Therefore, project management methodology is a discipline that helps project managers to deliver most effective projects using best and most effective practices, skills, knowledge and expertise (Attarzadeh and Ow, 2008). The methodologies are basically used for steering the project process in the right direction and keeping it on the right track (Singh and Lano, 2014). However, different organizations require different types of methodologies. The criteria for choosing the methodologies are based on various aspects including: organization size, number of employees, type of change desired and technology being used to name a few things (Karaman and Kurt, 2015). O the other hand, the methodologies may be very similar and use almost the same techniques. Therefore, choosing the right methodology for a business can be quite tricky but it is still possible. The following are some examples of project management methodologies: Agile, Waterfall, PRINCE2, Scrum, Kanban, Lean and XP to name a few.
It was developed in 2001 by a group of engineers. This method is not actually a method but rather a set of principles for developing software devices. It is commonly used and famously popular for organizations that require software development projects (Rasnacis and Berzisa, 2017). Also, it is commonly used by large organizations with large technological modifications. However, when used a project, its main purpose is to offer the project managers and the client a chance to collaborate repeatedly with a common objective, delivering software that works for the organization (Hu et al, 2009). This methodology is an overall over its subsequent like Scrum, Extreme Programming (XP), Kanban and Scrumban methodologies (O’Sheedy, 2012). Agile is wholly designed for organizations that need flexibility and speed. To be able to manage its purpose, this methodology is made up of phase or steps which are referred to as sprints. These steps have to be followed and rules adhered to for the project to be complete and successful.
The best project management methodology suitable for this organization is the Agile methodology. This is simply because the organization is composed of most of the requirements needed for Agile methodology. From the case study information, organization C has a very large number of employees (1200) which technically makes it a large organization. Furthermore, the organization has locations and customers all over the world which makes it an international organization. In addition to that, it offers technological services which mean that its services are related to software system development of any technological development or improvement operations.
Organization C should follow the following steps in order for it to implement this methodology effectively (Stare, 2013):
Implementation of the Agile methodology in this organization C should definitely be headed and supervised by the organizations management, i.e all the managers. To add to that, the methodology should be implemented in some of the projects not all, but only those project that require such methodology characteristics, for instance those that need application or software advancement or technological support.
Agile methodology has some advantages that accompany its usage. Therefore, when organization c uses Agile methodology, it will have the following advantages:
Every project management methodology has its benefits just as it has its advantages and disadvantages. With the use of Agile methodology, organization C will realize the following benefits (Stare, 2014):
It is one of the most commonly used project management methodologies over a number of years. It is popular especially in for small business organization in either construction or software development industries (Katayama and Goldman, 2011). However, research has shown that waterfall methodology is best suited for manufacturing and construction business organization and industries (Adenowo and Adenowo, 2013). This is simply because it is capable of producing the best physical product and can strictly follow assembling orders and rules. The activities or tasks involved in this methodology are sequential in nature and orderly. The process starts with: requirements gathering and analysis, generation of the systems design, implementation stage, system testing and lastly maintenance stage (Bassil, 2012). These stages are executed in that specific order without passing any or going back to a previous one. This means that, the methodology does not allow a stage to start before the preceding one is completed.
The Waterfall methodology is the most suitable project management methodology for this organization. This is simply because the characteristics of organization B and the requirements for using Waterfall methodology match. The following are the characteristics of organization B:
The case study information states that organization B’s management is very haphazard which means that it is not stable of fixed. Instead it is unsystematic and unplanned. Also, the organization has been using the same project management methodology in every project that it has conducted. That may be the reason why the business has not been growing and developing as it should. Every project requires its own management methodology according to its requirements and demands. Therefore, the use of one methodology in every project may be affecting the success of a project that requires a different methodology.
In that case, the waterfall methodology is the best methodology for this organization because it will be able to solve some of the problems, e.g. the fact that the project management changes from project manager to another or from project to another. Therefore, the organization should consider the use of s different methodology apart from one that allows changes and adjustments every now and then. By using Waterfall methodology, the organization will be making serious changes to its operations which will certainly be beneficial in the end.
The implementation methodology should be headed by the organization managers. However, the methodology should not be implemented in every project but only those that require its characteristics. Also, only for those projects that can be successful with such a methodology.
This methodology is one of the most advantageous of them all. With the use of Waterfall methodology, organization B will be able to realize the following advantages:
Just like any other methodology, waterfall has its disadvantages accompanied by its usage. Therefore, when organization B changes its methodology to start using Waterfall, it (the project developers or project team members and the business stakeholders) will experience the following disadvantages:
The following are some of the benefits that organization B will realize if they use Waterfall methodology in any project:
This is a subsequent of Agile project management methodology. Therefore, like agile, it is a software engineering methodology. It is currently the most used methodology among the other Agile subsets. Scrum methodology is often used to manage project that require complex software development. To complete a project using scrum methodology, project team members divide the activities into sections normally called “sprints” which are mostly use iterative and incremental practices (Usman et al, 2014). The methodology has been referred to as the most effective and efficient of all the Agile methodologies simply because: it is applicable in any kind of software development projects, solves most of the problems that software developers are unable to solve and the fact that it is simple to implement in any organization (Hu et al, 2009). This means that it is suitable for any organization size as well. In Scrum methodology, a small team of developers are involved. The methodology encourages end product requirement change but only by project developers’ team, quick product development and testing as well as effective collaboration between the business stakeholders or client and the project developers (Rola and Kuchta, 2015).
This organization is basically a small organization that offers financial services to its customers. The fact that it offers financial services means that it needs very modernized and improved technological devices to help it manage its operations. Therefore, the business requires developed and improved software systems to help be more productive and grow. This is basically the daily need and requirement for many financial organizations in the current business world. Additionally, organization A took only a short period of time to make the decision to use a project management methodology. This means that it also has a very short period of time to implement the methodology and for the project to be complete and successful. The following are the characteristics for organization A:
Conclusion
Project methodologies have become very useful in completing organizational projects. They have also succeeded more often that failed. Therefore it is proven that every business organization requires a project management methodology to use in every project it undertakes. However, it is not easy to choose the best suitable methodology to use. Therefore, the businesses should consult experts and knowledgeable people to help them with the choosing as well as with the implementation process. Additionally, organizations discussed above (A, B and C) should follow the advice above to be successful in their choice. From the research, these organization A can use Scrum, B waterfall and C Agile management methodology. They should also consider all the advantages, disadvantages and the benefits that may arise in the process of adapting and implementing the methodologies. Additionally, they should consider the limitations and problems that the methodologies may cause.
References
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Chin, C.M.M. and Spowage, A.C., 2010. Defining & classifying project management methodologies. PM World Today, 12(5), pp.1-9.
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