Project Management Methodologies Comparison

This assignment provides an in-depth analysis of the Waterfall and PMBOK methodologies in project management. It starts by defining what a project methodology is and its importance in project management. Then, it compares and contrasts the two methodologies, highlighting their similarities such as reducing project cost and providing proper output. The differences between them are also discussed, including their approach, type of projects handled, guidelines provided, and speed. Finally, it relates the Waterfall methodology to the project life cycle and discusses its advantages and disadvantages.

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

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Table of Contents
1. Project Methodology Definition............................................................................................2
2. Similarities and Differences between Waterfall and PMBOK..............................................3
3. Relating Waterfall Methodology in PLC...............................................................................5
References..................................................................................................................................6

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1. Project Methodology Definition
The logical and properly defined amalgamation of several methods, practices as well
as processes for the determination of the quality of a project to be delivered is known as
project methodology. According to Schwalbe, 2015, the main aim of the project methodology
is to plan, control, develop and even deliver the project by properly implementing the
process. A project methodology is the disciplined as well as systematic approach for the
successful designing, execution and completion of the project. There are various
achievements that could be easily gained once a project management methodology is
acquired. Burke, 2013, state that the first achievement is the requirement of the stakeholders.
Since, they are major part of an organization; their requirements should be met properly and
with utmost sincerity. The second achievement of the project management methodology is
that there is a common language, which is solely established as well as understood by the
entire team for knowing, what they require. The third achievement is the estimation of costs
that is accurate, credible and complete. Each and every task is completed by utilizing a
similar methodological approach. Almost all of the conflicts in a particular project are easily
identified and resolved with the project methodology. As per Larson & Gray, 2013, all the
expected deliverables are properly produced and then handed over by this methodology.
Furthermore, all the procedures of a project are perfectly implemented by a project
management methodology.
There are various methodologies in project management, namely, PRINCE2, Agile,
Waterfall, PMBOK, Scrum and many more. Each of these methodologies has their own
benefits and disadvantages. Broadly, the project management methodology can be sub
divided into two approaches, viz. traditional approach and modern approach (Pinto, 2015).
The traditional approach is the series of consecutive stages in the procedure of project

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management. This particular type of approach is executed in a step by step manner and helps
in designing, developing and delivering any service or product. The best example of a
traditional approach methodology is Waterfall. The sequential steps of this approach mainly
include initiation, planning and designing, execution, control and integration, validation and
finally closure (Larson & Gray, 2013). The second type or the second approach of project
management is the modern approach and it does not focus on the linear procedures. These
methodologies are mostly utilized in the modern IT industries and the best examples of this
approach are PMBOK, PRINCE2, Scrum, Six Sigma and many more.
Project methodology plays the most significant role in project management. The
project methodology helps to execute the project sequentially and without any type of
complexity. Moreover, a strict budget is followed if the project is done by a methodology
(Kerzner & Kerzner, 2017). Moreover, this project methodology allows proper control of the
complete procedure of management by excellent decision-making and solving problems. This
helps to ensure the success rate of particular processes, methods, tools, approaches and
techniques.
2. Similarities and Differences between Waterfall and PMBOK
Waterfall and PMBOK are both methodologies of project management and both of
them help to execute a project perfectly. There are various similarities and differences
between these two methodologies. The most important similarities between these two are as
follows:
i) Reducing Project Cost: This is the most important similarity between Waterfall and
PMBOK approach (Mishra & Dubey, 2013). The overall cost of the project is reduced with
the help of these two methodologies.

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ii) Proper Output: The second similarity between PMBOK and Waterfall model is
that both of them provides proper output to the project.
Although, there are few similarities between PMBOK and Waterfall model, few
differences are also present between them (Snyder, 2014). The major differences between
these two methodologies are as follows:
i) Approach: This is the most significant difference of PMBOK and Waterfall model.
PMBOK falls under modern approach and thus provides modern tools and techniques for
executing the project; whereas, Waterfall model falls under the traditional approach and thus
follow step by step procedure.
ii) Type of Projects: The second major difference Waterfall and PMBOK approach is
handling of the type of projects (Model, 2015). Since, waterfall is a traditional approach, it
follows step by step sequence, this particular methodology is not utilized in bigger projects.
However, PMBOK is followed in each and every project.
iii) Guidelines: The third difference between Waterfall model and PMBOK
methodology is that Waterfall does not provide any particular guideline for the project or the
project manager. However, PMBOK methodology provides significant guidelines for the
proper execution of any project.
iv) Speed: The fourth difference between PMBOK and Waterfall model is that
Waterfall model is extremely slow in comparison to the other methodologies as it follows a
strict step by step sequence; whereas, PMBOK is faster than Waterfall model (Mishra &
Dubey, 2013).

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3. Relating Waterfall Methodology in PLC
Waterfall is considered as one of the most important methodology of project
management. It is the approach of linear sequence design that is provided for software
development. It is the traditional approach and follows a step by step procedure for executing
the processes. The approach is extremely flexible in nature and also slower in comparison to
other (Model, 2015). There are seven phases in a waterfall model and they are initiation,
analysis, design, construction, testing, deployment and maintenance. These types of
methodologies are mainly used in the construction industries and in smaller projects.
Moreover, it plays a major and important role in the project life cycle as it helps to develop
software in proper sequence. The major disadvantage of this Waterfall model is that no step
can be repeated here and no step can be avoided (Snyder, 2014). It comes in a sequential
manner and all the steps have to be executed for completing a project life cycle.

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References
Burke, R. (2013). Project management: planning and control techniques. New Jersey, USA.
Kerzner, H., & Kerzner, H. R. (2017). Project management: a systems approach to planning,
scheduling, and controlling. John Wiley & Sons.
Larson, E. W., & Gray, C. (2013). Project management: The managerial process with MS
project. McGraw-Hill.
Mishra, A., & Dubey, D. (2013). A comparative study of different software development life
cycle models in different scenarios. International Journal, 1(5), 64-69.
Model, W. (2015). Waterfall Model. Luettavissa: http://www. waterfall-model. com/.
Luettu, 3.
Pinto, J. K. (2015). Project management: achieving competitive advantage. Prentice Hall.
Schwalbe, K. (2015). Information technology project management. Cengage Learning.
Snyder, C. S. (2014). A guide to the project management body of knowledge: PMBOK (®)
guide. Project Management Institute: Newtown Square, PA, USA.