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Nine Project Management Methodologies

2026-08-11 10:58

Tags: #pm

Author: Duke Hsu

Question:

Please provide different project management methodologies with a brief description

Answer:

There are nine different Project Management Methodologies, and we can use them

depending on the situation.

1. Waterfall - Follow the plan step by step.

Waterfall is a simple and traditional way to manage a project. We finish one phase

before moving to the next one. It works well when the project requirements are clear

and we don’t expect many changes. For example we can use Waterfall in software

development when the requirements are already well-defined.

Figure 1 - Water fall

Water fall

2. Agile - Build, get feedback, improve, and repeat.

Agile is a flexible way to manage a project. We work in small steps and improve the

project based on feedback. It is useful when requirements change frequently

Figure 2 - Agile

Agile

3. Scrum - Agile + Sprints + Teamwork + Regular reviews

Scrum is an agile method used to manage projects. We divide the work into short

periods called Sprints. During each Sprint, the team works on specific tasks, reviews

the results, and makes improvements.

Figure 3 - Scrum Scrum

4. Kanban - Todo list > In Progress > Done -Visual board

Kanban uses a visual board to track tasks. Tasks move from To Do, to In Progress,

and finally to Done. It helps the team manage the workflow and see the project

progress clearly .

Figure - 4 Kanban board

Kanban board

5. Lean - Reduce waste + Improve efficiency + Deliver value

Lean is a project management method that focuses on reducing waste and improving

efficiency. The goal is to use fewer resources, save time, and provide more value to

the customer. For example, if a team spends too much time in unnecessary meetings,

Lean helps reduce those meetings so the team can focus on important work.

Figure - 5 5 principles of Lean principles of Lean

6. PRINCE2 - (Project In Controlled Environments) - Structure + Control + Stages

  • Clear Roles.

PRINCE 2 is a structured project management method. It divides a project into

different stages, and each stage is planned, managed, and reviewed before moving to

the next stage. For example, a company wants to develop a new website. First , the

team plans to project and assign roles. After completing the design stage, they review

the results before starting development. This helps the company control the project’s

time, cost, and quality.

Figure - 6 Prince2 Process Prince2 Process

7. Critical Path Method (CPM) - Find the tasks that cannot be late

CPM is a project management method used to identify the most important sequence

of tasks in a project. If one task on the critical path is delayed, the whole project may

be delayed. For example, when developing a website, we need to finish development

before testing, and testing before deployment. If one of these critical tasks is delayed,

the whole project may be delayed, CPM helps us identify and manage these

important tasks.

Figure - 7 Critical path analysis Critical path analysis

8. Six Sigma - Data +Find Problems + Reduce Errors + Improve Quality

A methodology that aims to improve process efficiency and quality by identifying and

removing defects or variations. Often used in manufacturing but applicable to various

industries.

DMAIC

D - Define Problems

M - Measure / Collect Data

A - Analyze Problems

I - Improve SOP

C - Control

DMADV

D - Define

M - Measure

A - Analyze

D - Design

V - Verify

Figure - 8 The DMAIC Cycle The DMAIC Cycle

9. Extreme Programming (XP) - Build > Test > Get Feedback > Improve > Repeat

XP is a software development method that focuses on writing good code, testing

frequently, and improving the software based on customer feedback. For example, I'm

developing a schedule maker app. I first released a simple version, asked my

classmates for feedback, fixed problems, made small improvements, and tested the

features frequently. This is similar to the XP approach.

Figure - 9 Planning / Feedback loops image.png

References

Module 1 - Intro to PM.pdf Page 13-14

Aguayo. (n.d.). Agile methodology in UX. Aguayo.

https://aguayo.co/en/blog-aguayo-user-experience/agile-methodology-in-ux/

Scrum.org. (n.d.). What is Scrum (Module). Scrum.org.

https://www.scrum.org/resources/what-scrum-module

6Sigma.us. (n.d.). 5 principles of lean. 6Sigma.us.

https://www.6sigma.us/lean-six-sigma-articles/5-principles-of-lean/

PROJECT NABAFENEBT 29117 1830-2000 TF

Indeed Editorial Team. (n.d.). Critical pathway analysis. Indeed.

https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/critical-pathway-analysis

Startinfinity. (n.d.). PRINCE2. Startinfinity.

https://startinfinity.com/project-management-methodologies/prince2

ActiTIME. (n.d.). What is the waterfall model? ActiTIME.

https://www.actitime.com/project-management/what-is-waterfall-model

Startinfinity. (n.d.). Six sigma. Startinfinity.

https://startinfinity.com/project-management-methodologies/six-sigma

Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). Extreme programming. In Wikipedia.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extreme_programming