Professional Project Management as success factor?

By Prof. Robert Somogyi

Did you know that there are approximately 8,462 project management methodologies to choose from and  how do you know which one is right for you and your team? Find the best approach for your project to popular PM methodologies.

There are several project management models that exist, each with its own approach and methodology. Here are some of the most common project management models.

Agile model: 

This model is an iterative approach to project management, where the project is divided into sprints, and each sprint delivers a working product increment. This model is useful for projects where the requirements are likely to change or evolve over time.

The Agile model is emphasizes flexibility, collaboration, and continuous improvement. It was originally developed for software development projects but has since been applied to a wide range of projects. Here are some key features of the Agile model:

1. Iterative approach: The Agile model breaks the project down into small, iterative cycles called sprints. Each sprint delivers a working product increment, allowing stakeholders to provide feedback and make changes throughout the project.
2. Cross-functional teams: The Agile model involves cross-functional teams that work together to deliver the project. Each team member brings a unique skill set to the project, and collaboration is encouraged.
3. Customer involvement: The Agile model emphasizes customer involvement and feedback throughout the project. This allows the project team to adjust the project based on customer needs and requirements.
4. Emphasis on adaptability: The Agile model emphasizes adaptability and flexibility. The project team is encouraged to make changes to the project as needed based on feedback and changing requirements.
5. Emphasis on communication: Communication is critical in the Agile model. The project team must communicate effectively with each other and with stakeholders to ensure that everyone is aligned and informed.

Continuous improvement: The Agile model involves a continuous improvement process. The project team reviews the project after each sprint and makes changes to improve the process and the product.

The Agile model is designed to help teams deliver high-quality projects that meet customer needs and requirements. It is well-suited for projects that are complex, uncertain, or have evolving requirements.

 Waterfall model: 

This model is a linear, sequential approach to project management, where each phase of the project is completed before moving on to the next. This model is useful for projects where the requirements are well-defined and unlikely to change. Here are some key features of the Waterfall model:

1. Sequential flow of activities: The Waterfall model involves a sequential flow of activities. Each phase of the project must be completed before moving on to the next phase.
2. Defined project phases: The Waterfall model involves a defined set of project phases, including initiation, planning, design, execution, monitoring and control, and closure.
3. Emphasis on planning: The Waterfall model emphasizes planning at the beginning of the project. The project scope, schedule, and budget are defined upfront, and changes are discouraged.
4. Little customer involvement: The Waterfall model typically involves little customer involvement during the project. The customer is involved mainly during the requirements gathering phase.
5. Emphasis on documentation: The Waterfall model emphasizes documentation throughout the project. Each phase of the project is documented, and changes are documented as well.
6. Limited adaptability: The Waterfall model is less adaptable than other project management approaches. Changes to the project scope, schedule, or budget are difficult to make once the project is underway.

The Waterfall model is best suited for projects that have a well-defined scope and where the requirements are unlikely to change. It is also appropriate for projects where there is a clear understanding of the end product and its features. However, it may not be suitable for projects that are complex, uncertain, or have evolving requirements.

Kanban model

The Kanban model is a project management approach that focuses on visualizing and managing work to increase efficiency and productivity. It was originally developed for manufacturing processes but has since been applied to project management. Here are some key features of the Kanban model:

1. Visualize work: The Kanban model emphasizes visualizing work using a Kanban board. The board typically has columns for "To Do," "In Progress," and "Done," allowing team members to see the status of each task.
2. Limit work in progress: The Kanban model limits the amount of work in progress to improve efficiency. This helps to prevent bottlenecks and ensures that team members focus on completing tasks before starting new ones.
3. Continuous improvement: The Kanban model involves a continuous improvement process. The team regularly reviews and improves the process to increase efficiency and productivity.
4. Customer focus: The Kanban model emphasizes customer focus. The team prioritizes tasks based on customer needs and requirements.
5. Collaborative approach: The Kanban model involves a collaborative approach to project management. The team works together to complete tasks, and communication is encouraged.
6. Emphasis on flow: The Kanban model emphasizes the flow of work. The team focuses on completing tasks as quickly and efficiently as possible, with the goal of delivering high-quality work to the customer.

At the end of the day, the Kanban model is designed to help teams manage work more efficiently and effectively. It is well-suited for projects with a high volume of work or where work is unpredictable. The visual nature of the Kanban board makes it easy to see the status of each task, and the emphasis on continuous improvement helps to increase productivity over time.

Scrum model:

This model is a subset of the agile model and is used for managing complex projects. It involves a cross-functional team working together to deliver a working product increment in short iterations called sprints.

1. Cross-functional teams: The Scrum model involves cross-functional teams that work together to deliver the project. Each team member brings a unique skill set to the project, and collaboration is encouraged.
2. Iterative approach: The Scrum model breaks the project down into small, iterative cycles called sprints. Each sprint delivers a working product increment, allowing stakeholders to provide feedback and make changes throughout the project.
3. Product backlog: The Scrum model involves a product backlog, which is a prioritized list of features and requirements for the project. The product backlog is constantly updated and prioritized based on customer feedback and changing requirements.
4. Sprint backlog: The Scrum model involves a sprint backlog, which is a list of tasks to be completed during the sprint. The sprint backlog is created during the sprint planning meeting and is based on the product backlog.
5. Daily Scrum meetings: The Scrum model involves daily Scrum meetings, where team members meet to discuss progress, obstacles, and plans for the day. The daily Scrum meetings are time-boxed and typically last no more than 15 minutes.
6. Sprint review: The Scrum model involves a sprint review, where the team demonstrates the working product increment to stakeholders and receives feedback. The sprint review allows stakeholders to see progress and make changes based on their feedback.
7. Sprint retrospective: The Scrum model involves a sprint retrospective, where the team reflects on the sprint and identifies ways to improve the process. The sprint retrospective is an opportunity for the team to discuss what went well and what could be improved.

This model is designed to help teams deliver high-quality projects that meet customer needs and requirements. It is well-suited for projects that are complex, uncertain, or have evolving requirements. The iterative approach allows the project team to adapt to changing requirements and customer feedback, while the daily Scrum meetings and sprint reviews provide transparency and accountability throughout the project.

Lean model:

The Lean model in project management is an approach that aims to maximize customer value while minimizing waste. It originated from the Toyota Production System in manufacturing but has since been adapted for project management. Here are some key features of the Lean model:

1. Value stream mapping: The Lean model involves value stream mapping, which is a technique for identifying and optimizing the value stream, or the steps required to deliver value to the customer.
2. Continuous improvement: The Lean model emphasizes continuous improvement through the elimination of waste. The team identifies and eliminates waste in the process, such as overproduction, excess inventory, defects, waiting, overprocessing, unnecessary motion, and underutilized talent.
3. Pull-based system: The Lean model involves a pull-based system, where work is pulled through the process as it is needed. This helps to reduce waste and improve flow.
4. Kaizen: The Lean model involves the concept of Kaizen, which means continuous improvement. The team is encouraged to identify and implement small improvements to the process on a regular basis.
5. Just-in-time: The Lean model involves a just-in-time approach, where work is delivered just in time to meet customer needs. This helps to reduce inventory and improve efficiency.
6. Value-based prioritization: The Lean model involves value-based prioritization, where tasks are prioritized based on customer value. This helps to ensure that the team is focused on delivering the highest value to the customer.

Overall, the Lean model is designed to help teams deliver high-quality projects with maximum efficiency and minimal waste. It is well-suited for projects that require a high degree of efficiency and a focus on customer value. The continuous improvement and value-based prioritization help to ensure that the team is delivering the best possible product to the customer while minimizing waste and inefficiency.

PRINCE2 model

PRINCE2 (an acronym for PRojects IN Controlled Environments) is a process-based project management methodology that provides a framework for managing projects of all sizes and complexity. It was developed by the UK government in the 1980s and is now widely used by organizations around the world. Here are some key features of the PRINCE2 model:

1. Process-based approach: The PRINCE2 model is based on a series of processes, each with defined inputs, outputs, and activities. The processes are designed to ensure that the project is planned, monitored, and controlled in a structured manner.
2. Tailored approach: The PRINCE2 model can be tailored to meet the specific needs of a project, regardless of size or complexity. The model provides guidance on how to adapt the processes and procedures to suit the project.
3. Focus on business justification: The PRINCE2 model places a strong emphasis on business justification. The model requires the project to have a clear and measurable business case that justifies the investment of time and resources.
4. Product-based planning: The PRINCE2 model uses a product-based planning approach, where the project is broken down into smaller products or deliverables. This helps to ensure that the project is focused on delivering tangible outcomes.
5. Roles and responsibilities: The PRINCE2 model defines clear roles and responsibilities for the project team. This helps to ensure that everyone understands their role in the project and the expectations placed upon them.
6. Manage by exception: The PRINCE2 model uses a "manage by exception" approach, where the project is monitored at a high level, and only intervention is required when things go off track.PRINCE2 model provides a structured approach to project management that can be tailored to suit the specific needs of a project. The focus on business justification, product-based planning, and clear roles and responsibilities help to ensure that the project is focused on delivering tangible outcomes that meet the needs of the business. The manage by exception approach helps to ensure that the project is monitored at a high level, while allowing the project team to focus on delivering the project.

Each project management model has its own strengths and weaknesses, and the choice of model depends on the nature of the project, its goals, and the requirements of the stakeholders.

Yes, professional project management is a key success factor in achieving project objectives. A professional project manager brings expertise, experience, and a structured approach to managing a project. Here are some ways in which professional project management contributes to project success.

• Firstly, define and discuss clear project objectives. A professional project manager works with stakeholders to define clear project objectives, ensuring that everyone is working towards the same goal.
• Second is the project planning. A professional project manager creates a detailed project plan that includes timelines, budgets, resources, and risk management strategies. This helps to ensure that the project stays on track and is completed within the specified timeframe and budget.
• The next part of the success in project management is communication. A professional project manager facilitates communication between team members and stakeholders, ensuring that everyone is aware of project progress, issues, and risks.
• Don't forget the risk management. A professional project manager identifies and manages project risks, ensuring that potential issues are addressed before they become major problems.
• Import to know is the resources you can use in the project. So be clear with the Resource management: A professional project manager ensures that resources are allocated efficiently and effectively, maximizing project efficiency and minimizing costs.
• At last, don't forget to control and measure the quality. Quality control: A professional project manager ensures that the project deliverables are of high quality and meet the expectations of stakeholders.

In summary, professional project management is a critical success factor in achieving project objectives. It provides structure, expertise, and a strategic approach to managing a project, ensuring that it is completed on time, within budget, and to the desired quality.

Project management is an important discipline that involves planning, organizing, and managing resources to achieve specific goals and objectives within a defined timeframe and budget. Here are some important things to know about project management:

Project management requires a range of skills, including leadership, communication, organization, problem-solving, and time management. A project manager must be able to manage teams, communicate effectively with stakeholders, and coordinate resources to deliver a successful project.

Projects typically have a defined lifecycle that includes initiation, planning, execution, monitoring and control, and closure. Each phase of the project has its own set of activities and deliverables.

Stakeholder management is critical. Projects involve a range of stakeholders, including team members, customers, suppliers, and sponsors. Managing stakeholder expectations and ensuring effective communication is critical for project success.

Risk management is important. Projects involve risks, such as delays, budget overruns, and scope creep. Effective risk management involves identifying potential risks, assessing their likelihood and impact, and developing strategies to mitigate or manage those risks.

Communication is key. Effective communication is critical for project success. A project manager must be able to communicate with stakeholders at all levels, provide regular updates, and manage conflicts effectively.

Continuous improvement is important. Project management involves a continuous improvement process that involves learning from past projects and improving processes and procedures for future projects.

In summary, project management is a complex discipline that involves a range of skills, methodologies, and best practices. Understanding these key concepts is critical for the successful delivery of projects.