Best-selling author, speaker, executive coach; peer advisory boards #ChampagneMoment www.ExactlyWhereYouWanttoBe.com.
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As an entrepreneur and business owner, you need to ensure that projects throughout your organization are running smoothly. While you may not be the project manager in your own organization, per se, you will want to ensure that what you want is being delivered on time, on budget and to your specifications.
OK, let’s be honest. If you are like most entrepreneurs, you’re probably a control freak. The only way to "let go" (because we all know you can do it quicker and better than anyone else) is to have the right visibility at the right time to ensure things aren't going sideways. We’re talking accountability in your team without micromanaging them, and that needs a system.
Balancing multiple projects with different demands, timelines and expectations can be challenging, but employing the best methodology can ensure you’re up for the task.
How To Choose The Best Project Management Methodology
Every project is different, from budgets to resources to timelines, and requires a tailored approach. You have many project management methodologies to choose from, fortunately.
According to the Project Management Institute, project management methodology is “a system of practices, techniques, procedures and rules used by those who work in a discipline.”
Each methodology is designed to set your project up for success, depending on its requirements. Essentially, project management methodologies should be paired with similar projects.
Consider the project factors:
• Budget
• Timeline
• Organizational goals and objectives
• Organizational values
• Scale and complexity
• The flexibility of team members, goals, timelines and deliverables
• Project type and industry
• Team size, diversity, experience and individual strengths and weaknesses of team members
Six Popular Project Management Methodologies And What They’re Suited For
1. Agile: Suited For Short, Collaborative Sprint Projects
Agile is a set of principles that are ideal for small teams working in short sprint cycles without obstacles like meetings or excessive documentation. The team needs to be shielded from these obstacles to stay focused on the project goals and deliverables.
Flexible teams that collaborate well are suited for Agile methodology since it requires agility in the approach to the outcomes and the means of achieving them.
2. Scrum: Suited For Quick And Continuous Projects
Scrum is a project management methodology that puts agile principles to use. This methodology is ideal for a project with a development team or projects that have rolling task lists and require continuous improvement, such as improving the customer journey on a website.
With the goal of developing, building, delivering and sustaining complex projects, Scrum works best with a collaborative and highly accountable team, defined roles and iterative task lists.
3. Kanban: Suited For Agile Teams To Visualize Task Progress
Kanban is a project management methodology that uses Agile principles adapted to small, flexible, collaborative projects with high visual impact. With this methodology, tasks are displayed visually using software solutions or sticky notes on a “Kanban board.”
As tasks are completed, they move through the columns that represent the stages of the process to maintain the timeline. This is helpful for complex, multi-layered projects or projects that have primary and secondary goals, teams and tasks.
4. Lean: Suited For Projects That Conserve Resources, Time Or Output
Lean methodology is intended to maximize customer value while minimizing waste, such as unnecessary spending, team output, resources or time. This methodology was created in the Japanese manufacturing industry to reduce redundancies that affect the customer and bottom line.
This methodology defines three M's of project waste:
• Muda: Getting rid of anything that doesn’t add value
• Mura: Streamlining processes
• Muri: Removing blockers such as excessive meetings
5. Waterfall: Suited For Large-Scale, Fixed Projects
The Waterfall methodology is an older methodology that focuses on sequential tasks. When one task is completed, the next begins, until the project is finished. This methodology requires a strong understanding of the end goal and the means of achieving it. There’s little flexibility or margin for error.
With the Waterfall methodology, the project requirements and deadlines are collected and analyzed, which adds to the upfront time and planning. Then, the approach is designed to address every step of the project and the deliverable sequence and timelines.
6. Hybrid: Suited For Flexible, Fast-Paced Projects With Structure
Hybrid methodology blends some of the adaptability and speed of Agile with the clear deliverables and meticulous planning of the Waterfall methodology. This methodology uses both structure and organization with defined milestones and Agile workflows.
Before the project begins, Hybrid methodology requires planning and mapping to define goals, tasks and deadlines. Once the project begins, teams have more latitude with tasks and speed. They’re permitted to begin stages of the project before other tasks are completed, unlike Waterfall methodology.
These methodologies cover the most popular options for most projects, but there are numerous others to choose from. Ultimately, you need to integrate the project methodology with your project needs and leadership style. It’s not a one-size-fits-all deal, but it is an I-need-to-let-go strategy that allows you to stop micromanaging, so you can work on bigger things and achieve your champagne moment.
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