Project Management Methodologies

In addition to the PMI method, there are other project management methodologies that you may run into. So that you get a quick overview of this, please read the below descriptions.

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Project Management Methodologies

There are many methodologies of project management and some companies have cultivated their own.  Below are 5 common project management formats that you may encounter and it’s important to understand the overall style of each. Each PM method may offer a specialized certification of its own and, if you are interested in specializing in a specific field or industry, it is a good idea to research the requirements and decide if the in-depth credentials are the right next step for you in your career.  One method is to search Indeed.com for the job title and industry that you are interested in to see what requirements are requested.  Search 5-10 similar positions to see what software, certifications, and skills are in demand for the position.

PMI

• The Project Management Institute (PMI) method is a structured approach to analyzing needs, resources, and scheduling to make the most of project management. These key components lead to the most effective and comprehensive approach to project management and its subsequent methods. This is a common and well-used approach and therefore the model we will utilize in the Prowess Certification.
• Many companies list a PMP as a requirement which is a higher-level certification – More information here: www.pmi.org

Waterfall

• This method is a  breakdown of project activities into linear sequential phases, where each phase depends on the deliverables of the previous one and corresponds to a specialization of tasks. The approach is typical for certain types of engineering design. In software development, it tends to be among the less iterative and flexible approaches, as progress flows in largely one direction (“downwards” like a waterfall).
• Seven stages – Analysis, Design, Construction, Testing, Deployment, and Maintenance

Agile

• Agile project management is an incremental and evolving approach to software development that adapts well to the changes that occur throughout the life of the project. Agile is a communicative approach that welcomes feedback from end-users and encourages changing requirements as needed.
• Six phases – Requirements, Plan, Design, Develop, Release, and Track & Monitor

Scrum

• Scrum leverages incremental processes included in a larger framework that uses cross-functional teams to meet goals and adapt to changes. Scrum aims to establish small pieces of a release faster than focusing on all of the smaller steps taking place within each iteration or sprint.
• This type of project management results in greater responsiveness to customers, lower costs of development, job satisfaction, and more immediate returns. Scrum is not a linear process, but rather, a fluid practice that takes many moving parts, teams, and goals into consideration as it progresses.
• Additionally, Scrum relies on four ceremonies to provide a targeted structure to each sprint: sprint planning, daily stand-up, sprint demo, and sprint retrospective. Scrum designates specific roles within its framework, making it a highly prescriptive yet largely efficient process.

Kanban

• The Kanban process is based on pulling work from a backlog and completing each only as needed — also known as the Just-in-Time approach in this methodology. The Kanban board is the center of this process.
• A basic board can include just three columns, or lanes, representing To Do, Doing, and Done tasks. You can also add columns for other steps in your workflow (like Design, Development, Testing etc). Team members move cards, representing a single task or work unit, across the board from left to right to reflect the phase each task is in. This visual cue provides a quick view of individual task status.
• The Kanban board can be anything from a physical board, where team members move actual cards or Post-It Notes from one column to the next, to an online, digital board that enables teams to collaborate on projects from different locations and still track and manage progress in real-time.
• Five core principles – Visualize the workflow, Limit work in progress (WIP), Manage and enhance the flow, Make workflows explicit, Continuously improve.

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