ICT Project Management - Definition, Methodologies, and Project Life Cycle

This report discusses the concept of project methodology and its use in project management. It identifies two project management methodologies, which are Waterfall and Agile, and discusses their similarities and dissimilarities. The report further relates Waterfall and Agile to the project life cycle.

Running head: ICT PROJECT MANAGEMENT
ICT Project Management
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

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Table of Contents
Introduction..........................................................................................................................2
1. Methodology (Definition and its Role in Project Management).....................................2
2. Project Management Methodology: Waterfall and Agile................................................3
2.1. Waterfall...................................................................................................................3
2.2. Agile.........................................................................................................................3
2.3. Similarities Differences between Waterfall and Agile.............................................4
3. Project Life Cycle............................................................................................................5
Conclusion...........................................................................................................................5
References............................................................................................................................7

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Introduction
Project Management methodology is an important consideration for management of a
project. Methodology associated with a project can be described as a model that employs the
managers to design, plan and achieve the identified objectives of the project (Kerzner & Kerzner,
2017). The report will provide a concise definition of project management methodologies and its
role in management of a project. Finally the report will identify the role of waterfall and Agile
project management in project life cycle.
1. Methodology (Definition and its Role in Project Management)
Project management methodology is a collection of different process and procedures that
ensure successful completion of the project. Project managers employ project management
methodology in a project is order to design, plan and implement the objectives of the project
(Joslin & Müller, 2015). There are a number of project management methodologies which
include, PRINCE2, waterfall, Agile and so on. Each project management methodology has a
number of pros and cons and the choice of project management methodology depends on the
type and implementation process of the project. A methodology is a set of guiding principles that
helps the project manager and the team in successful implementation of the project.
Methodology therefore has a significant role in project management. There benefits of
making use of project management methodology are that it helps in timely completion of the
project and enforces project monitoring and control (Špundak, 2014). The demerit is that the
wrong choice of methodology might hamper the project progress and affect the quality of the
project. Therefore it is essential to choose an appropriate methodology in management of a
project.

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2. Project Management Methodology: Waterfall and Agile
In this section of the report, the waterfall and agile project management will be discussed
along with the evaluation of similarities and dissimilarities of making use of waterfall or agile
project management methodology.
2.1. Waterfall
Waterfall methodology is the oldest methodology of management of the project. It
follows a sequential approach of project management and is mainly requirement focused.
Therefore it is necessary to focus on the requirements before proceeding with a project, which is
making use of waterfall methodology.
Figure 1: Representing waterfall model
(Source: Mahalakshmi & Sundararajan, 2013)
2.2. Agile

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Agile project methodology is a methodology for software development that is being used
in software industry. Agile methodology is quite contracting to the traditional waterfall model as
this methodology supports a flexible approach of project implementation (Duka, 2013).
Figure 2: Representing the process of Agile Project Methodology
(Source: Duka, 2013)
2.3. Similarities Differences between Waterfall and Agile
There are little or negligible similarities between waterfall and agile project methodology.
However, both the methodologies ensure that the project is completed within a scheduled time.
This is one similarity between the two methodologies apart from the fact that both the
methodologies divide a project in controllable units.
The differences between the two methodologies are as follows-

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1. In waterfall method, the software development process is divided into a number of
phases while that in agile process of project management the project development is segregated
into sprints.
2. Waterfall is a structured method of project management while that of agile offers
flexibility.
3. The testing procedure of waterfall and agile project methodology is different.
3. Project Life Cycle
Waterfall methodology certainly relates to the project life cycle as it divides the project
into a number of phases for easier management. In PLC, a project is divided into five phases
which are definition of the project goal, planning of the project, project closure and evaluation of
the project which are similar to waterfall.
Agile project management methodology relates to the project life cycle as well since it
divides the project into a number of manageable sprints that involves easier management of the
project (Ahern, Leavy & Byrne, 2014). Each phase is followed by testing phase that improves
the quality of the project. This project methodology is mainly used in software development
project.
Conclusion
The report discussed the concept of project methodology and its use in project
management. The use of a project management methodology helps in easier implementation of a
project. The report discusses two project management methodologies, which are waterfall and

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agile. The report identifies the similarities and dissimilarities between waterfall and agile project
methodology. The report further relates waterfall and agile to project life cycle.

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References
Ahern, T., Leavy, B., & Byrne, P. J. (2014). Complex project management as complex problem
solving: A distributed knowledge management perspective. International Journal of
Project Management, 32(8), 1371-1381.
Duka, D. (2013, May). Adoption of agile methodology in software development. In Information
& Communication Technology Electronics & Microelectronics (MIPRO), 2013 36th
International Convention on (pp. 426-430). IEEE.
Joslin, R., & Müller, R. (2015). Relationships between a project management methodology and
project success in different project governance contexts. International Journal of Project
Management, 33(6), 1377-1392.
Kerzner, H., & Kerzner, H. R. (2017). Project management: a systems approach to planning,
scheduling, and controlling. John Wiley & Sons.
Mahalakshmi, M., & Sundararajan, M. (2013). Traditional SDLC Vs Scrum Methodology–A
Comparative Study. International Journal of Emerging Technology and Advanced
Engineering, 3(6), 192-196.
Špundak, M. (2014). Mixed agile/traditional project management methodology–reality or
illusion?. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 119, 939-948.