the phased waterfall approach is not well suited because requirements are often loosely defined at first, or technologies in use are quickly changing.
In agile or iterative project management, the details of the entire project are not planned from the start. Instead, the plan focuses on iterations, often called sprints. After the start of the project, the iteration or sprint is planned, executed, monitored, controlled, and closed. Each one is like a mini-project within the project. A deliverable, perhaps a prototype or a section of code, is produced at the end of the iteration and offered to the customer or other project sponsor for feedback. Based on that feedback, additional iterations are planned and executed. In this way, the solution the project is seeking evolves through each sprint (see Figure 1.4).
FIGURE 1.4 An agile project uses task board views to schedule project iterations.
Although Microsoft Project was originally designed for the waterfall method, it now highlights features and views designed specifically for agile projects as well.
Other Methodologies
Although waterfall and agile are the most widely used project management methodologies and the only two discussed in this book, there are several others. Examples include critical chain, earned value management, lean project management, and benefits realization.
As the project manager, you are in the best position to determine which methodology is best for the project under consideration. This determination should be done during the initiating process, when the project scope, resources, and tools are all being defined.
When you know the nature of the project, its requirements, and the team, you'll have a better idea of the best methodology to employ for greater chances of the project's success. You might find yourself advocating for a different methodology, especially if one has been the norm or the trend in your organization but not necessarily the best choice.
More About Project Management
The more you expand your knowledge on project management principles and best practices, the more adept and effective you'll become as a project manager.
An especially valuable resource is the Project Management Institute (PMI©), a professional association for project managers. It publishes the Project Management Book of Knowledge (PMBOK©) and hosts annual conferences and other training opportunities. It administers the Project Management Professional (PMP©), Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM©), and Disciplined Agile Scrum Master (DASM™) certification exams, among several others. Learn more at www.PMI.org.
Learning project management principles and how to use the tools and features in Microsoft Project go hand in hand. Together, they both can help you become a more successful project manager: one who plans deliberately, communicates well, solves problems, balances the triangle, satisfies stakeholders, closes out strong, and moves on to the next project challenge with confidence and enthusiasm.
Key Terms
agile project management
budget
Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM©)
closing process
controlling process
critical path
Critical Path Method (CPM)
equipment
executing process
Disciplined Agile Scrum Master (DASM)
initiating process
knowledge areas
lessons learned
materials
monitoring process
operation
planning process
project
Project Management Book of Knowledge (PMBOK©)
Project Management Institute (PMI©)
Project Management Professional (PMP©)
project manager
project processes
project sponsor
project triangle
resources
scope
sprints
stage
stakeholder
waterfall project management
work breakdown structure (WBS)
Review Questions
1 A nonprofit organization, which has worked with volunteers for many years, has decided to develop the curriculum and materials for a new quarterly volunteer-training program and then train the trainers—the various department heads—in conducting their training modules. Is this considered a project or an operation?It's a project because although it's conducted quarterly, it will be done by different volunteers each time, and possibly by different trainers.It's a project because developing the curriculum and materials for the new training program is a new and unique activity for the organization.It's an operation because it's not unique to the organization, as it has been training and working with volunteers for years.It's an operation because training will be conducted quarterly as part of regular business.
2 A startup technology company has just finished developing its branding and marketing materials, including the design of its e-newsletter. After conducting a pilot and making adjustments with a few test issues, the company is now writing and disseminating the e-newsletter at the first of each month. Is this a project or an operation?It's a project because although the e-newsletters go out monthly, each one contains different content from the previous month.It's a project because the development of the branding and marketing materials had specific start and finish dates.It's an operation
