EXECUTIVE PROJECT MANAGEMENT

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

We have all handled or managed projects at our workplace, be it small, medium or large; some of us would have been very successful with the outcome of the projects immaterial whether you are certified or not.

Project Management is the application of knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to project activities to meet the project requirements. Project management is a crucial discipline that ensures projects are planned, executed, and completed effectively. It involves organizing resources, setting goals, and managing timelines to achieve specific objectives. Whether it’s building a new product, launching a marketing campaign, or organizing an event, project management provides the framework to streamline processes, mitigate risks, and deliver successful outcomes.

In Project management, two methodologies that stand out for their distinct approaches are Agile and Waterfall. These methods represent contrasting approach in how projects are planned, executed, and delivered. Waterfall is a traditional, linear approach, where each phase of the project is completed in a sequence before moving on to the next; so it’s best suited for projects with a defined end goal. If a project owner has a clear and specific vision of an app, for example, and is confident it will not change throughout the project development phase, then the Waterfall methodology would be a good system to adhere. In contrast, Agile is iterative and flexible, allowing for continuous improvement and adaptation throughout the project lifecycle.

The viewpoint here is that projects can be managed by anyone who is a stakeholder or anyone who has a vested interest in the said project; the approach could either be traditional Waterfall or Agile.

The traditional Waterfall approach has been around for almost half a century now and yet has significance in the modern business world. The Waterfall approach completely relies on teams adhering to a sequence of steps and certainly not moving forward, until the previous stage has been completed; due to this it is really hard to implement any changes after the phase has been completed, so it is not suitable for complex projects. This age old methodology, leaves almost no room for unexpected changes or adjustments.

If the team is small and the projects are foreseeable, then the Waterfall approach might provide the perfect framework; it involves rigorous planning upfront to ensure that the project stays on track, with progress tracked closely and issues addressed promptly. This is indeed a useful and predictable approach especially when the requirements are fixed, well-documented, and flawless, the technology is recognised and mature, the project is concise, and if there’s no added value gained from ‘going agile’. In a nutshell, a waterfall approach can actually grant a more predictable end result for budget, timeline, and scope.

Adopting Agile is all about being able to increase speed in the market and delivering value within shorter lead times is vital to the business capability. In order to accomplish these goals, organisations today are constantly altering their project methods from linear waterfall approaches to iterative methods, which gives rise to adaptive and shorter delivery cycles.

Agile Project Management is a repetitive project management approach for building software and applications. This method is quick and easy for both small and large projects and includes customer satisfaction in its priorities. This management approach is mostly used in cases when client requirements change frequently. The three main pillars of this approach are as follows:

• Adaptation

• Collaboration

• Customer Satisfaction

Agile method of Project Management can’t proceed further without the trust among the team members. It needs a better understanding conversation environment with all the team members. Because the conversation is needed regularly for interchanging updates and ideas. That means that the team members need to be confident in their team member’s ability to perform a particular task during those communications.

These fluctuating pressures call for new approaches towards development and project management which requires skilled professionals who comprehend how to adopt, apply and scale Agile practices. Scrum is the most popular framework within the Agile family, for emerging and sustaining complex products through releases and sprints, so as to creatively and effectively augment the product value.

HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT METHODOLOGY FOR YOUR PROJECT?

There are several factors to consider when you are choosing between Waterfall & Agile. Here are a few pointers to consider:

• Does your project require strict regulations or requirements? Waterfall is better suited for projects with regulations or requirements because each phase’s deliverables and strict procedures ensure they are met.

• When choosing between Agile & Waterfall, consider how involved the project owners or stakeholders will be in the project.

• Agile is better suited for projects where stakeholders are closely involved in every step of the way.

• Waterfall is a more structured project management method and does not lend itself to the same type of flexibility.

• Alternatively, Agile is best suited for teams that plan on moving fast, experimenting with direction and don’t know how the final project will look before they start. Agile is flexible and requires a collaborative and self-motivated team, plus frequent check-ins with business owners and stakeholders about the progress.

ESSENTIALS OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT:

• GETTING STARTED WITH PROJECTS

• Define or describe a project

• Understanding the Project Management Lifecycle

• Identify the role & responsibilities of a Project Manager

• What are the success factors in a project?

• What are the possible key project failure areas?

• The key elements in Project Management

• Setting up the Project Management Team

• Planning for Time & Cost

• Creating a Business Case

• Creating a Project Brief & Project Plan

• Planning for Project Risks, Communication Approach & Change Control

• PROJECT APPROACH: WATERFALL OR AGILE

• Why waterfall & not Agile? Or vice-versa

• Benefits of the Waterfall approach

• An Overview of Agile Scrum Master