The world is crazy busy and constantly evolving and so are the companies that we work for. Recently, companies are beginning to recognise the need for change when it comes to project management. In theory, our knowledge about project management may be good, however, many ongoing projects take more time than originally assumed and exceed the estimated costs. Knowing and abiding by established standards is an important factor in the success of any project. However, meeting standards alone cannot guarantee success. There are many other factors associated with the success of a project, such as knowing which approach, tool or technique to use for our particular needs.
Project management methodologies are divided into two main trends: classic, such as PRINCE2® and PMBOK, and agile, such as AgilePM®, Scrum, or Lean. Traditional approaches are great for companies with a set goal in mind, whereas agile management is often most suitable for businesses that use technology frequently – this includes website, app development, setting up sales funnels and running internet campaigns. As you can see, both ways of working do not replace each other, but complement each other, so they can be used in various types of projects.
In an attempt to streamline their project management approach, organisations are mandating the use of either PRINCE2, PMP, or agile techniques for running software and construction projects. This has an impact on managers who must adjust to new working styles. Each approach has its own advantages and disadvantages. Depending on the situation, you may find that one or both of these approaches works better for your design project. You can choose to use them comprehensively or only in specific areas, depending on your needs. It is a rarity to see a project accomplished according to strict, specific criteria. Companies usually rely on conventional frameworks, but they are rarely applied in full.
A competent project manager must be knowledgeable in the field of project management and have the ability to choose the right tools & techniques. Doing so will increase the likelihood of successful project completion within budget and on schedule. To make this possible, project leaders should be holistically trained in different approaches. It is worth mentioning that the knowledge and skills of a project manager are one thing, but even if they are excellent at managing projects, they must always take into account the so-called cultural factor. While an agile approach should be the go-to choice for a state institution when developing software, it may not be feasible due to the characteristics of public administration. Nevertheless, this ought to be evaluated in order to discover if there could be any advantages of implementing such methods.
Project management practices were not invented out of thin air but rather were created by taking advice from people and companies that know what they are doing. It is important to remember this as it gives us an insight into the experience and knowledge that shaped these methods. When deciding on one of the methodologies, the individual situation and conditions of a given project should be taken into account. A manager’s job is to select the right tools that can best guarantee the success of their project. To do this, they must be proficient in picking out the ones most appropriate for their needs.
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Marta Borkowska - Head of Training
Marta is the Head of Training in Aspira – she is a Project Manager and Training Facilitator. She has various project management certifications, including Diploma in Project Management, Black Belt Certification from the University of Limerick, Masters Level Postgraduate Diploma in Quality Management Lean Systems. Marta is maintaining a strong focus on continuous process improvement to ensure maximised efficiencies across both internal & external deliverables and solutions. Marta is highly adaptable, self-motivated, technically aware facilitator who scales and adapts to meet project objectives by embracing change.