Project Management: Methodologies, Comparison and Contrasting of Agile with PM Methodologies

This report provides a detailed description of project management methodologies, including agile, PRINCE2, CPM, PMBOK, and waterfall. It compares and contrasts agile methodologies with other PM methodologies, highlighting their features, advantages, and disadvantages. The report also discusses the proper execution of projects with project management methodologies.

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

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Executive Summary
The objective of this report is knowing about the methodologies of project management. The
project is the respective temporary endeavour, which is subsequently designed for the core
purpose of producing distinct services, products and results with a specified starting as well
as ending point. These distinct goals and objectives could be easily achieved only after
properly following project management. The significant success of methods, processes,
techniques, technologies and approaches are subsequently ensured with a specified
methodology of project management. Furthermore, the appropriate process should even be
checked or understood perfectly to complete the project without problems. There are two
distinct approaches for these methodologies of project management, which are modern
approach and traditional approach. Several efficient and effective methodologies are present
for project management and amongst them, the most popular ones are PRINCE2, waterfall
methodology, PMBOK, agile, CPM or critical path methodology and many others. However,
all of the methodologies of project management comprise of one distinct similarity in them
that is each of these methodologies eventually make project execution quite easy for the
respective project manager. The various project conflicts could be easily spotted and resolved
and all the tasks are completed by a common approach of methodology. The report has
provided a proper comparison of few PM methodologies like EVM, crashing, PRINCE2 with
the agile methodologies.

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Table of Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................3
Discussion..................................................................................................................................3
Project Management Methodology........................................................................................3
Comparison and Contrasting of Agile Methodologies with PM Methodologies...................4
Conclusion..................................................................................................................................9
References................................................................................................................................10

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Introduction
A basic practice to start, plan, execute, control and finally close the complete work of
any team to eventually attain the various objectives and goals and even to meet the respective
success criteria in a specified time is termed as project management (Kerzner & Kerzner,
2017). The project management is responsible for bringing the extra values as well as
beneficial changes. The most significant problem with the project management is that it often
becomes difficult to achieve the project goals with the given constraints.
The most significant constraints for any project are time, budget, quality and scope.
Allocation is optimized for the required inputs and finally these inputs are applied to meet
every definite objective (Fleming & Koppelman, 2016). All of the methodologies
substantially consist of the several benefits and demerits. This report provides a detailed
description on the proper comparison as well as contrasting between agile methodologies and
other PM methodologies.
Discussion
Project Management Methodology
The framework of project management can be described as the subsequent
combination of the various procedures, tasks and tools, which are used for the project
transition starting from initiation until completion (Walker, 2015). All the noteworthy and
vital decisions are taken with the help of this project management framework and hence the
project managers could make plans easily. Moreover, a PM framework is the specified
structured collection of various types of important and significant knowledge regarding the
subsequent process of bringing the major changes perfectly. There are three distinctive
sections of project management framework and these are life cycle, control cycle and finally
template or tool. The respective life cycle of framework depicts the main project stages as

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well as the project works and requirements within all stages (Nicholas & Steyn, 2017). The
control cycles of the project management framework is responsible for helping to the control
of project. The final part of the templates and tools are the methodologies of project
management for helping in executing the project effortlessly.
The methodology of project management is the most efficient as well as effective
method for describing a specific system, which is being used to complete any project. Before
any project is initiated, the appropriate technologies and tools for the project management are
needed to know (Pemsel & Wiewiora, 2013). Some of the most important and significant
project management methodologies are present, which are waterfall, PRINCE2, CPM or
critical path method, PMBOK, agile methodologies and several others. These above
mentioned methodologies are quite efficient and effective in comparison to all the other PM
methodologies. These project management methodologies have several similarities as well as
dissimilarities between each other and hence they are separate from each other (Kerzner,
2018).
Comparison and Contrasting of Agile Methodologies with PM Methodologies
The various agile methodologies comprise of similar features as well as benefits.
However, all of the agile methodologies have their own terminologies, practices and tactics
(Beringer, Jonas & Kock, 2013). The major and the most significant examples of these agile
methodologies are extreme programming or XP, lean, scrum, crystal and several others.
Scrum agile methodology is the framework of project management that has broader
application for properly managing and controlling the iterative and incremental projects of all
types. Agile methodology is extremely simple and has the capability of acting as wrapper as
well as proven productivities for the engineering practice, which is promoted by each and
every agile methodology (Schwalbe, 2015).

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For the waterfall methodology, it is the linear sequential designing approach for the
certain areas for the engineering designing. Within the software development, it eventually
tends for being amongst the lesser iterative as well as flexible approaches; since progress
flows within one specific direction (Martinelli & Milosevic, 2016). The phases of this model
are conception, initiation phase, analysis, designing, constructing, testing, deployment and
lastly maintenance of the project. The other significant methodologies are PRINCE2, CPM or
critical path method, PMBOK and several others. All of these methodologies of project
management follow some of the major principles and processes to complete several tasks.
These PM methodologies are used in several types of projects and hence these are different
from one another and proper comparison could be done here (Morris, 2013).
A detailed comparison and contrast within the agile methodology and few other PM
methodologies are provided below:

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Main Factors Agile
Methodologies
PMBOK Waterfall Critical Path
Methodology
PRINCE2 Earned Value
Management
Crashing
1. Definition The agile
methodology can be
stated as the
specified practice
that is responsible
for promoting the
constant iteration of
the development or
testing for the
complete SDLC or
software
development life
cycle (Edwards &
Bowen, 2013). The
agile methodology is
extremely effective
and efficient for the
significant
unpredictability of
software
construction. There
are various types of
agile methodologies
like scrum, lean
methodology,
extreme
programming and
many others.
Project
management
body of
knowledge or
simply
PMBOK can
be stated as
the specific
set of few
standard
terminologies
and standards
for the proper
management
of project.
There are five
distinct phases
of the
methodology
of project
management
body of
knowledge,
which are
planning,
organization,
staffing,
executing and
lastly
controlling the
project.
The methodology
of waterfall can be
described as the
subsequent linear
designing
approach to few of
the specified
engineering
designing areas.
Waterfall
methodology is
lesser iterative and
is also not at all
considered as the
flexible approach.
Information for
the project
eventually flows
in the downward
direction only
(Sears et al.,
2015). The phases
of this particular
model are
conception,
initiating phase,
analysis,
designing,
constructing,
testing,
deployment and
lastly maintenance
of the project.
The critical path
methodology or
CPM is a basic
sequential
method,
technique and
algorithm,
which is being
utilized for
planning all
types of projects
with various
activities and
also by
involving the
interdependent
and complicated
interactions.
The critical path
method is
usually applied
in the perfect
analysis of
project
networking
logic diagrams
to produce the
highest practical
effectiveness.
The Projects In
Controlled
Environments or
PRINCE2 can be
stated as the
specific
structured
methodology of
project
management.
This particular
PM methodology
substantially
focuses on the
proper division of
several projects to
either controllable
or manageable
stages. The
methodology of
PRINCE2 is thus
on the basis of
seven distinctive
principles or
seven themes
(Braglia &
Frosolini, 2014).
Furthermore,
there are seven
procedures of the
PRINCE2
methodology like
project starting,
project initiation,
project directing,
controlling the
EVM or earned
value
management is
a PM technique
that helps in
measuring the
project
performances or
progresses
within an
objective
method.
Crashing can
be stated as
the basic
technique that
is utilized
when the fast
tracking has
not properly
saved enough
time in the
schedule
(Schwalbe,
2015). Here,
the resources
are added in
the project for
the least cost
possible.

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stages,
management of
the several
project deliveries,
and management
of stage
boundaries and
lastly closure of
that project.
2. Features The most significant
characteristics of the
agile methodology
are given below:
i) Higher Quality:
The most important
and noteworthy
characteristic of the
agile methodology is
the better quality it
provides (Pemsel &
Wiewiora, 2013).
The testing in this
methodology is
properly integrated
within the PLC and
hence daily
inspection is
allowed.
ii) Easy
Identification as
well as Resolving of
Issues: The
significant issues of
project could be
eventually identified
and resolved without
involving any type
of complexity within
The main
characteristics
are given
below:
i) Provides
Proper
Guidelines:
PMBOK is
responsible
for providing
several
guidelines for
the proper
management
of project.
ii) Easy
Monitoring
or
Controlling:
Project can be
easily
monitored and
controlled
with PMBOK
methodology.
iii) Easier
Execution of
Projects:
Since
Waterfall
methodology has
some of the major
characteristics
such as:
i) Sequential
Procedure:
Waterfall
methodology
follows sequences
and the stages are
completed
sequentially
(Beringer, Jonas &
Kock, 2013).
ii) Easier
Tracking: The
project stages are
easily tracked with
this methodology.
iii) Helps to
Provide Clear
Image of End
Result: The next
characteristic of
the waterfall
methodology
would be that it is
responsible for
The most
important
characteristics
of CPM are
given below:
i) Identifying
Critical
Activities: The
several critical
activities could
be easily
identified here.
ii) Properly
Defining
Results: The
next
characteristic of
CPM is that the
results are
defined properly
(Kerzner &
Kerzner, 2017).
iii) Sequence
Based
Approach: The
CPM
methodology is
responsible for
following
PRINCE2
comprises of few
important
characteristics
that are provided
below:
i) Good Planning
and
Communication:
PRINCE2
methodology
provides scope
for good planning
or communication
and thus is quite
consistent in
comparison to
other
methodologies
(Harrison &
Lock, 2017).
ii) Easier
Assessment:
Another
important and
noteworthy
characteristic of
this PRINCE2
methodology is
The main
characteristics
of the earned
value
management
are given
below:
i) Proper
Project Plan:
EVM can only
be implemented
if there is a
proper and
definite project
plan (Fleming
& Koppelman,
2016).
ii) Previously
Defined
Earning Rules:
EVM has
previously
defined earning
rules for
quantifying the
total
accomplishment
of the work and
this is termed as
The main
characteristics
of the
crashing PM
technique are
given below:
i) Increasing
the
Requirement
s of Project:
The project
requirements
are
incremented
with the help
of this
crashing
technique.
ii) Adding of
Resources:
The
respective
resources are
being added
in the project
and hence this
particular
technique is
much

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PROJECT MANAGEMENT
the project.
iii) Accommodating
the Changes:
Various changes are
easily
accommodated
within the agile
methodology since
the planning is done
beforehand and the
client could change
his requirement at all
stages.
iv) Better Visibility:
Another significant
characteristic of the
agile methodology is
its better visibility.
The principles
encourage the
client’s involvement
in this methodology.
guidelines are
provided in
this
methodology,
execution of
projects are
easier.
providing clear
images of the end
result.
sequences and
hence is
subsequently
termed as the
sequence based
approach.
that it provides
easier assessment
for the project
and there are
clarifications in
responsibilities
and roles.
earned value
(Burke, 2013).
effective
(Nicholas &
Steyn, 2017).
3.
Disadvantage
s
The most significant
demerits of the agile
methodologies are
the lack of the
needed
documentation and
lesser predictability
(Fleming &
Koppelman, 2016).
The excess
consumption
of time or
other
resources is
the main
disadvantage
of the
PMBOK
methodology.
The major demerit
of the waterfall
methodology
would be that this
is quite slow and
thus cannot
executed in every
project (Rose,
2013).
CPM takes up
excess time and
hence this is
termed as the
main demerit of
this
methodology.
The inadequate
focusing as well
as handling of the
projects within
PRINCE2 is main
disadvantage
here. Moreover,
PRINCE2 does
not allow changes
in the project,
once planning is
completed.
The main
disadvantage of
earned value
management is
that it could not
be used for the
bigger projects
and is only used
for smaller
projects
(Martinelli &
Milosevic,
2016).
Crashing only
helps in
schedule
compression
and thus the
uses are lesser
(Sears et al.,
2015).
4. Utilized in
Project Types
Agile methodologies
could be only used
in projects of
PMBOK
methodology
could be
Waterfall
methodology is
used in smaller
CPM is utilized
in all types of
PRINCE2
methodology is
only used in the
Earned value
management is
only used in the
Crashing
technique is
used in all

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software
development.
utilized in
every type of
project.
projects due to the
slow process.
projects. construction
projects.
smaller
projects.
types of
projects.

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Conclusion
Therefore, from the above report, conclusion is drawn that project management
methodology is the specific and definite combination of logic based processes, practices or
methods to eventually determine the proper planning, controlling as well as development that
is done to a project and how this project can be delivered in the continuing process of
implementation till the proper initiation or completion. Furthermore, the methodologies of
project management also provide the basic skeleton for the purpose of describing all the steps
properly, so that project manager gets a clear ideology of project deliverables as well as work
implementation according to the specifications of client, schedule or budget.
There are several requirements of stakeholders and these are properly defined and the
respective cost estimate is complete, credible as well as accurate. The project management
framework is responsible to provide the specific planning, execution or even delivering of the
projects of various natures and sizes. The framework majorly focuses on the entire realization
of all types of expected alterations with the chosen methodological approach. It then
identifies and defines the process of management of the required changes in project. This
report has properly described the proper comparison and contrasting of the agile
methodologies with four other PM methodologies. Relevant details are provided here for this
comparison.

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References
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portfolio management and its impact on success. International Journal of Project
Management, 31(6), 830-846.
Braglia, M., & Frosolini, M. (2014). An integrated approach to implement project
management information systems within the extended enterprise. International
Journal of Project Management, 32(1), 18-29.
Burke, R. (2013). Project management: planning and control techniques. New Jersey, USA.
Edwards, P., & Bowen, P. (2013). Risk management in project organisations. Routledge.
Fleming, Q. W., & Koppelman, J. M. (2016, December). Earned value project management.
Project Management Institute.
Harrison, F., & Lock, D. (2017). Advanced project management: a structured approach.
Routledge.
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.
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techniques for the practicing project manager. John Wiley & Sons.
Morris, P. W. (2013). Reconstructing project management. John Wiley & Sons.
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technology. Routledge.

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Pemsel, S., & Wiewiora, A. (2013). Project management office a knowledge broker in
project-based organisations. International Journal of Project Management, 31(1), 31-
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Rose, K. H. (2013). A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK®
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