There are several ways you can go about managing a project, depending on your business needs.
Project management methodologies are a set of tools, techniques, and processes used to manage projects. They help project managers plan, execute, and monitor projects to ensure they are completed on time and within budget.
In this guide, we’ll cover the basics of project management methodologies, how to use them, best practices, and examples.
Getting Started
Before you can start using project management methodologies, you need to understand the basics. Project management methodologies are divided into two main categories: traditional and agile.
Traditional project management methodologies are based on a linear approach, where tasks are completed in a sequential order. Agile project management methodologies are based on an iterative approach, where tasks are completed in short cycles.
Each methodology has its own set of tools, techniques, and processes that can be used to manage projects.
How To Use Project Management Methodologies
Once you understand the basics of project management methodologies, you can start using them to manage your projects.
The first step is to identify the type of project you are managing and the methodology that best fits your needs. Once you have identified the methodology, you can start planning the project.
This includes creating a project plan, setting goals and objectives, and assigning tasks to team members.
Once the project plan is in place, you can start executing the project. This includes monitoring progress, managing risks, and making adjustments as needed.
Best Practices
- Create a project plan that outlines the goals, objectives, and tasks.
- Set realistic deadlines and milestones.
- Communicate regularly with team members and stakeholders.
- Monitor progress and adjust the plan as needed.
- Manage risks and address any issues that arise.
- Evaluate the project and document the results.
Examples
Here are some examples of project management methodologies:
- Waterfall: This is a traditional project management methodology that follows a linear approach. It is best suited for projects with well-defined requirements and a clear timeline.
- Agile: This is an iterative project management methodology that focuses on delivering value quickly. It is best suited for projects with changing requirements and tight deadlines.
- Scrum: This is an agile project management methodology that focuses on delivering value in short cycles. It is best suited for projects with complex requirements and tight deadlines.
- Kanban: This is an agile project management methodology that focuses on continuous improvement. It is best suited for projects with changing requirements and tight deadlines.
These are just a few examples of project management methodologies. There are many more that can be used to manage projects.
Best project management tools
- Monday.com — Highly effective teams choose monday.com to manage their work.
- asana — Asana organises work so teams are clear about what to do, why it matters, and how to get it done.
- Hive — The tool for productive teams. Thousands of companies all over the world are moving faster with Hive.
- Productive.io — Manage your agency in one place, end-to-end.
- Project Express App — Over 35,000 people worldwide trust Project Express to manage projects, at work and at home.
- Teamwork — At last, easy-to-use project management software you won’t outgrow
- Trello — From high rises to the home office, the way your team works is unique—accomplish it all with Trello.
- Wrike — Only Wrike’s work management platform gives your team full visibility and control over all your tasks and projects.
- Accelo — Accelo is a cloud-based software platform that helps businesses manage their projects, clients, and teams.
- TickTick — Join millions of people to capture ideas, manage to-dos and make the most of your life with TickTick.
- nTask — Project management software that enables your teams to collaborate, plan, analyze and manage everyday tasks.
- Adobe Workfront — Connect, collaborate, and simplify workflows using Adobe Workfront to launch campaigns and deliver personalized experiences at scale.
- ProofHub — ProofHub is a project planning software with every tools your team needs to get work done faster, together. No per user fee. Free trial. No learning curve.
- Workfront — Workfront is a cloud-based project management and work collaboration platform designed to help teams and organizations manage their work more efficiently.
- JIRA — JIRA is a project management and issue tracking software developed by Atlassian.
- ProjectLibre — ProjectLibre is an open source project management software that provides users with a comprehensive suite of tools to help them manage their projects.
- Process Street — Process Street is a simple, free and powerful way to manage your team’s recurring checklists and procedures.
- Smartsheet — Smartsheet enables teams to manage projects, automate processes & scale programs in one powerful platform.
- Flock — Flock, the best team communication app and online collaboration platform, comes with team messaging, project management and other great features that improve productivity and boost speed of execution.
- OneNote — Organize your thoughts and quickly capture ideas with OneNote, the digital notebook that lets you type, draw, and more.
- PeerBie Inc — Transform the way you and your team works with one super app for everyone and everything you need to get work done.
- Nutshell — Nutshell is an easy-to-use CRM that helps small businesses build relationships, track sales, and grow. It’s designed to be simple and intuitive, so you can focus on what matters most: your customers.
- ClickTime — ClickTime helps organizations plan and account for the time, costs, and revenue associated with their projects.
- Sembly AI — Sembly records, transcribes and generates smart meeting summaries with meeting minutes.
- Insightly — Our CRM software can help your sales team build customer relationships, quickly create personalized marketing campaigns, and automate business processes.
- GoProof — GoProof® online proofing software with its unique creative collaboration and text editing workflows is part of the Oppolis creative work management ecosystem.
- TimeCamp — Increase project profitability with time tracking by TimeCamp.
- Citrix Podio — Build powerful low-code business solutions to customize work and communication. Start for free.
- Miro — Scalable, secure, cross-device, and enterprise-ready team collaboration whiteboard for distributed teams. Join 45M+ users from around the world.
- Harvest — Time tracking and management software with powerful easy reporting and streamlined online invoicing. Loved by 73,000 businesses. Get started for free.