In previous posts, we reviewed different project management methodologies. But what project management methodology to use? While there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, in today’s blog, we offer some guidelines.
Which Project Management Methodology to Use?
Your choice or project methodology will depend on many factors, including the type of project, the time available, and the expectations of stakeholders.
Below is a list of some of the most common project management methodologies and when to use them.
Waterfall
Waterfall project management is a project management methodology where tasks happen sequentially.
This means that when you use the waterfall methodology, you can’t start a task until the previous one has been completed.
Due to its combination of simplicity and rigidity, waterfall project management is a good alternative when:
- There’s a fixed timeline
- Requirements are clear-cut and unlikely to change
- The product owner doesn’t want to be too involved
Agile
For its part, Agile is a project management methodology focused on customer satisfaction.
Agile is typically described as an iterative approach because it aims to create continuous releases that incorporate user feedback.
This is a good choice of methodology when the following conditions are met:
- Timeline is tight
- The product vision is not well defined
- The product owner is highly involved in the project
Scrum
A lot of people believe that Scrum and Agile are the same. While this is understandable, because both are tightly intertwined, there are some important differences.
While Agile aspires to be an all-encompassing approach, Scrum is a framework designed to facilitate teamwork when implementing Agile.
Using Scrum is a good idea when;
- Requirements are not clearly defined
- The project will likely change over time
- The project requires constant invention
About Darnell Technical
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