Discuss about the ICT Project Management for Waterfall Methodology.
Introduction
Project management methodology is the combination of logically related activities, methodologies as well as processes which best determines the way to plan, progress, control and provide a project all the way through the uninterrupted execution of process till successful accomplishment and closure of a project (Baptista, Santos, Páscoa, & Sändig, 2016). The core reason of project management is to enable for regulation of the whole management process through the effective process of making decisions as well as problem-solving. At the same time, project management methodology assures the success of particular techniques, approaches, processes, technologies and techniques (Joslin, & Müller, 2015). Therefore, the methodology gives a skeleton which describes deeper each step to the project manager to help them understand what do to delivering and implementing of the work in accordance to the client requirements, budget, and schedule
The significance of Project Management
Strategic alignment: Project management works to ensure that what is being delivered, is correct and that it will be in the position provide a real-time value against a business opportunity.
Leadership: Project management is significant in the sense that it brings leadership and direction to projects (Serra, & Kunc, 2015). Project management offers leadership as well as the vision of the projects thus it aids in removing obstacles, provides motivation, coaching as inspiring the project teams to perform the work to their best.
Clear objectives and focus: Project management is essential since it makes sure that there is a properly sought out plan for the execution of the projects strategic goals.
Realistic project planning: Project management works to ensure that expectations of the project are clearly outlined around what can be delivered, by when and using which amount of resources (Serra, & Kunc, 2015).
Quality control: Project management makes sure that the quality of the project that is being delivered is consistent and hits the mark.
Risk management: Project management Strives to see to it that risks are well managed and alleviated to avoid developing into issues.
Project management Methodologies
Waterfall methodology: Waterfall methodology designates the development course of the software in a linear-chronological flow, which means that the initial progression phases have to be accomplished before proceeding to the next phase hence there is no coinciding (Kerzner, & Kerzner, 2017). Therefore, the waterfall model comprises different software development processes whereby the outcomes of one phase acts as the input of the following phase in a sequential manner. Currently, waterfall model is the extensively used techniques.
Agile model: Currently, agile seems to be the most booming with its rising acceptance because of its iterative driven approach. Agile methodologies began based on the following primary principles that are early delivery, adaptive planning, continuous progression, and the capability to respond to change quickly.
Critical path methodology (CPM): This methodology used four main projects components to develop software. The elements include a list of all the task need to complete the project, dependencies between task, deliverable goals or milestones and the time taken for each task. In this case, project managers are tasked with deciding a project’s critical path as well as tasks that have “total float” by considering the earliest task and the latest task being accomplished without delaying the completion of the whole project.
Other project methodologies include scrum, which takes a short time to deliver project requirements and tasks. Accordingly, this methodology enhances teamwork among the project team and the client. Hybrid methods consist of agile and waterfall methodologies combined.
Comparison between Agile and Waterfall Methodologies
Differences
- The process of software development is subdivided into distinct phases in a waterfall while Agile methodology separates the project expansion lifecycle into sprints.
- In accordance to waterfall model, software development has to be accomplished as a single project, and every phase only appears once in the SDLC whereas Agile methodology is considered as a set of different projects referred to as iterations with the intent to make improvements to the quality of the software.
Similarities
- The primary goals of both methodologies are to deliver a high-quality product in an efficient, predictable and responsive way.
- Both methodologies do the same type of things like defining, collecting, analyzing, designing, testing, coding, releasing, and maintaining the final product through in a different manner.
Project Methodology Selection
Selecting a project methodology involves considering a number of methodologies such as the project management body of knowledge (PMBOK) and project management institute (PMI) (Nonino, 2018). PMBOK is a collection of process, preeminent practices, guidelines and terminologies for a project, portfolio or program management. PMI are guidelines that have been accepted within the project management sector (Kerzner, 2018). Another process is the software development life cycle (SDLC), which is a procedure employed by the software industry to design, develop as well as testing the quality of software. The target of SDLC is delivering best-quality software which can attain the client specification and completed on time and within the budget.
References
Baptista, A., Santos, F., Páscoa, J., & Sändig, N. (2016). Project management methodologies as the main tool for current challenges in global economy driving historical changes. Journal of Advanced Management Science, 4(2).
Joslin, R., & Müller, R. (2015). Relationships between a project management methodology and project success in different project governance contexts. International Journal of Project Management, 33(6), 1377-1392.
Kerzner, H. (2018). Project management best practices: Achieving global excellence. John Wiley & Sons.
Kerzner, H., & Kerzner, H. R. (2017). Project management: a systems approach to planning, scheduling, and controlling. John Wiley & Sons.
Nonino, F. (2018). Project Selection Frameworks and Methodologies for Reducing Risks in Project Portfolio Management. In Global Business Expansion: Concepts, Methodologies, Tools, and Applications (pp. 547-566). IGI Global.
Serra, C. E. M., & Kunc, M. (2015). Benefits realization management and its influence on project success and the execution of business strategies. International Journal of Project Management, 33(1), 53-66.
