Project Management Methodologies: Agile vs Waterfall

This report discusses the definition and role of project management methodologies in project management. It highlights the similarities and differences between agile and waterfall methodologies and their relation with project life cycle. The report concludes that while waterfall methodology follows a linear approach, agile methodology is more flexible and allows for modifications.

Running head: PROJECT MANAGEMENT METHODOLOGIES
Project Management methodologies
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author note

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Table of Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................2
Definition of project methodology.............................................................................................2
Role of project methodology in the project management..........................................................2
Similarities and differences between agile and waterfall project management methodology...3
Relation of agile and waterfall project methodologies with project life cycle..........................3
Conclusion..................................................................................................................................4
References..................................................................................................................................5

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Introduction:
The report emphasizes on the definition and description of the project management
methodology. The following paragraphs give a brief introduction about the role of project
methodology in the project management. The report highlights the similarities and
differences between agile and waterfall project management methodologies. The project life
cycle of waterfall methodology and agile project management methodology are also
described in the following paragraphs.
Definition of project methodology:
The project management methodology is defined as the combination of several
methods, practices and processes that identifies the best methods of planning, developing,
controlling and delivering a project during the implementation stage until the project is
completed in a successful manner (Kerzner & Kerzner, 2017). It can be considered as a
disciplined and systematic approach to designing, executing and completing a project. The
objective of project methodology is to control and implement the whole process of
management in a way that ensures the success of implemented approaches, processes,
techniques, technologies and methods. A methodology describes every process and steps in
depth that helps the project manager in understanding the methods to implement and deliver
the work based on the budget, schedule and client specification.
Role of project methodology in the project management:
The project methodology assists the managers of the project and other members who
are involved in the project by designing several steps and processes prior to the initiation of
the project (Kerzner, 2018). The methodology intends to manage the tasks in such a way that
it becomes easier for the team members to complete the project in lesser time by providing
several strategies to handle the problems and issues that may arise during the project. In

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project management, the project methodologies specify the tasks and measures that needs to
be taken in order to use the provided time and resources in an efficient way. The
methodologies define and provide the project scope, limitation of time, available resources
and the stage at which the project is required to be delivered.
Similarities and differences between agile and waterfall project management
methodology:
The agile and waterfall project management methodologies are the tools that help the
organisations in developing their projects and business in a systematic manner. They act as a
medium that ensures that the project will be organised in an efficient way. In both agile and
waterfall methodologies, there are several steps and processes that are required to be followed
during the entire project management process (Newton, 2016). The next step is not initialised
before the completion of the previous step in both the methods, however there are several
differences between these two methodologies. In agile methodology, the evolution and
changes in the methods are provided to bring out effective results rather than following a
sequential and predefined process as done in the waterfall methodology (Nicholas & Steyn,
2017). The waterfall methodology follows a linear approach in which every method and
process take place in a sequential way. The whole process of the project is planned initially
without providing any scope for further modifications. However, the agile methodology does
not focus on the linear method, it follows flexible process and steps in which the plans and
phases can be modified and decided based on the requirement or situation.
Relation of agile and waterfall project methodologies with project life cycle:
The project life cycle provides four stages or phases that need to be implemented in a
project in a cyclic and sequential way. The four stages are the conceptualization phase,
planning phase, execution phase and termination phase. The waterfall lifecycle methodology

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follows the project life cycle in which every phase are implemented in a linear manner
(Marchewka, 2014). The phases applied in a waterfall methodology are the definition of the
requirements, designing, implementation, verification and management. However, agile
lifecycle does not follow the traditional project life cycle (Conforto & Amaral, 2016). In agile
lifecycle methodology, the feedback is taken by the customers after every phase and then the
next phase is planned or modified.
Conclusion:
It can be concluded from the above discussion that the project management
methodologies acts as a tool for helping the project managers and other team members in
designing and planning the methods for the project in order to get an efficient result. The
waterfall methodology is a traditional approach that follows a linear method, however the
agile project management methodology is the modern method in which phases can be further
modified.

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References:
Conforto, E. C., & Amaral, D. C. (2016). Agile project management and stage-gate model—
A hybrid framework for technology-based companies. Journal of Engineering and
Technology Management, 40, 1-14.
Kerzner, H. (2018). Project management best practices: Achieving global excellence. John
Wiley & Sons.
Kerzner, H., & Kerzner, H. R. (2017). Project management: a systems approach to planning,
scheduling, and controlling. John Wiley & Sons.
Marchewka, J. T. (2014). Information technology project management. John Wiley & Sons.
Newton, R. (2016). Project management step by step: how to plan and manage a highly
successful project. Pearson UK.
Nicholas, J. M., & Steyn, H. (2017). Project management for engineering, business and
technology. Routledge.