Project Management Methodologies: Implementation and Benefits Analysis

This report provides an in-depth analysis of project management methodologies, focusing on Waterfall and PRINCE2, and their practical application within three different organizations. The report begins with an introduction to project management, emphasizing its significance in achieving organizational goals and its reliance on various methodologies. The main body of the report delves into case studies of three organizations, each employing different methodologies. Organization A, a financial services firm, implements the Waterfall methodology, detailing the implementation process, potential issues, and associated benefits. Organization B, a building society, adopts the PRINCE2 methodology, outlining the implementation plan, challenges encountered, and strategies for mitigation. Organization C's methodology is not fully described in the provided text. The report concludes by summarizing the key findings and benefits of each methodology, highlighting the importance of selecting the right methodology based on the organization's specific needs and project requirements. The report also includes a discussion of implementation challenges and strategies to overcome them, ensuring project success.

PROJECT
MANAGEMENT
METHODOLOGIES

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................5
TASK...............................................................................................................................................5
Organization A.............................................................................................................................5
i. Implementing a project management methodology is considered a management level
activity.....................................................................................................................................5
ii. Implementing chosen project management methodology in its entirety. Supporting
the decision with an implementation plan...........................................................................6
iii. Encountering the issue when implementing the chosen project management
methodology...........................................................................................................................6
iv. Addressing the difficulties faced in attempting to implement the methodology.........7
v. Attributing benefits by using the chosen project management methodology..............7
Organization B.............................................................................................................................7
i. Implementing a project management methodology is considered a management level
activity.....................................................................................................................................7
ii. Implementing chosen project management methodology in its entirety. Supporting
the decision with an implementation plan...........................................................................8
iii. Encountering the issue when implementing the chosen project management
methodology...........................................................................................................................9
iv. Addressing the difficulties faced in attempting to implement the methodology.........9
v. Attributing benefits by using the chosen project management methodology..............9
Organization C...........................................................................................................................10
i. Implementing a project management methodology is considered a management level
activity...................................................................................................................................10
ii. Implementing chosen project management methodology in its entirety. Supporting
the decision with an implementation plan.........................................................................10

iii. Encountering the issue when implementing the chosen project management
methodology.........................................................................................................................11
iv. Addressing the difficulties faced in attempting to implement the methodology.......11
v. Attributing benefits by using the chosen project management methodology............12
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................12
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................13
APPENDICES...............................................................................................................................15

LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1: Waterfall Methodology..................................................................................................15
Figure 2: PRINCE2 Methodology.................................................................................................15
Figure 3: Hierarchy of PRINCE2..................................................................................................16
Figure 4: Hierarchy of AGILE......................................................................................................16

INTRODUCTION
Project management basically, is a separate discipline of initiating, planning, executing,
controlling, and closing the work of a team in for the purpose of achieving specific goals and
meeting specific success criteria (What is Project Management?, 2017). Further, project
management faces numerous challenges but the primary challenge of this discipline is to achieve
all of the project goals in a given constraints. Moreover, project management plays essential role
in the working of every company and it is all about the effective management of change and this
could benefit the organization in several ways as it may provide a systematic approach for
managing and controlling various types of projects and certain types of change (Burke, 2013).
Along with that, project management work using several methodologies like PRINCE2, Agile
and many more. This project report mainly emphasize upon the project management
methodologies used by various companies in order to accomplish their projects in a successful
manner. Moreover, these methodologies will be applied in three organizations which provide
altogether different services to the customers and how it benefits the organization in carrying out
their projects (Larson and Gray, 2013).
TASK
Organization A
i. Implementing a project management methodology is considered a management level activity
As it is known that, project management methodology is used for managing projects in a
most effective manner. For that aspect, particular methodology is implemented in a firm as per
their nature of work. Organization A provides financial services as per the information and it
carried out its services in Australia and New Zealand. It has appointed 80 employees who are
providing financial services to the customers living in Australia as well as in New Zealand. For
financial firm like Organization A, company will implement Waterfall methodology in its project
management department (Meredith and Mantel, 2011). Waterfall model is basically a sequential
design process which is used in software development processes. In this, progress is seen as
flowing steadily downwards like waterfall, which passes through the phases of conception,
initiation, analysis, design, construction, testing, production and maintenance.

This methodology get implemented by the manager of project department by proper
planning, direction and by providing control measures that is why implementation is considered
as the management level activity (Schwalbe, 2015). Moreover, the project manager of financial
company, development team including IT heads, networking team and engineers will be
involved for the effective implementation of waterfall methodology.
ii. Implementing chosen project management methodology in its entirety. Supporting the
decision with an implementation plan
The chosen project management methodology is Waterfall model and it has various
attributes because of which it has been chosen for the Organization A. This will help the firm in
managing the projects of the company in an effective manner. Therefore, for that aspect, this
model is required to be implemented in the company (Fleming and Koppelman, 2016). This can
be implemented by physical construction of the software as set out in the design stage and this is
generally done by development team which consists of programmers, interface designers and
other specialists. There are four ways through which it can be implemented and that are direct
installation, parallel installation, single-location installation and phase installation. Therefore,
any of the method can be used by the firm for installing it.
Moreover, a proper plan could be made for implementing this process. Firstly, manger
has to do proper planning for implementing this model. Secondly, deep analysis will be done for
the proper implementation of the methodology (Wysocki, 2011). After that, various installation
methods will be assessed and then one method will be chosen for implementation. After that
implementation will be done and lastly follow up and controlling.
iii. Encountering the issue when implementing the chosen project management methodology
It is not necessary that implementation of the methodology can be done without
implementing any issues. However, there are 100% chances that issues will be arising during the
implementation of this model. Furthermore, certain issues are as follows:
1. Lack of communication may occur during initial phase which will hinder the further
process of implementation.
2. Improper management handling at the time of implementation (Walker, 2015).
3. Time crunch during testing will lead to the ineffective implementation

4. High amount of risk involved during the implementation.
iv. Addressing the difficulties faced in attempting to implement the methodology
It is important to address the issues which are faced during the implementation of
waterfall methodology so that its effective implementation can be done. Furthermore, the
communication issue can be avoided by incorporating free-flow communication process. This
will reduce the risk of miscommunication (Leach, 2014). Moreover, it is very important to
provide accurate training to the managers and other team members before implementation and
lastly, adequate amount of time should be allocated for testing in order to get the proper
methodology for carrying out future projects.
v. Attributing benefits by using the chosen project management methodology
There are various benefits associated with this methodology and those are described
below:
1. This methodology is the most simple and easiest for understanding and use.
2. It can be managed very easily because of its rigidity of the model that each phase has
specific deliverables and a review process (Kerzner, 2017).
3. This methodology works effectively for smaller projects so the company like
Organization A has very small projects to carry out so it will be perfect for them.
Organization B
i. Implementing a project management methodology is considered a management level activity
As per the given information, Organization B is a Building Society company which
provides the services of housing facility by constructing buildings. 600 employees are employed
in this firm and this firm is located in Australia. Moreover, the customer base of this company is
in Australia and works under the existing standard or framework and those are Australian
Prudential Regulation Authority. Moreover, this firm makes the project of buildings and for that
purpose it requires project management technique (Gido, Clements and Clements, 2014).
Therefore, to implement a particular project, the company is requires to adopt PRINCE2
methodology which will help in implementing the project in an efficient manner.

PRINCE2 is an acronym for PRoject IN Controlled Environment and this is a structured
project management method. This methodology focuses on dividing projects into manageable
and controllable stages which makes it easier for the manager to handle this project in an
effective manner. Therefore, for an organization like Building Society, PRNCE2 is the best
project management methodology to be applied. Moreover, implementation will be done at
managerial level only that is why this methodology is considered as a management level activity
because it requires proper planning, execution, direction and controlling of each and every
activity (Cicmil and et.al., 2017). Furthermore, a project manager and team of project for
constructing a building will be involved in this. Team members for this project will include
architects, builder, and contractor.
ii. Implementing chosen project management methodology in its entirety. Supporting the
decision with an implementation plan
When the given organization wants to construct a building that time, management of
project is done which helps the manager in carrying out the activity in an effective manner.
Furthermore, for doing the management of project, a proper methodology is being in used which
will help the manager in carrying out the activity in an appropriate manner. Furthermore, for
carrying out the construction of a building, PRINCE2 project management methodology has
been chosen (Meskendahl, 2010). This will help the manager in breaking down the activities into
various stages that would be manageable and controllable by them. PRINCE2 is a process-based
approach for managing projects and for implementing this methodology in its entirety; company
will start with accredited training. Further, training is essential because it is a complex system
including many processes and angles so training will provide knowledge to everyone for
managing a project with a clear understanding of the terminology used. So by providing effective
training about this methodology a firm can implement it for conducting project management for
the construction of building.
For implementing PRINCE2, a firm has to firstly make a group where those members
would be included who need training for this methodology, after that the firm will appoint a
mentor who will guide them the usage of PRINCE2. Further, by applying this methodology, a
plan of a building and activities involved will be constructed which will guide the team members

in carrying out activities. Later, the activity would be divided into stages for better management
and roles and responsibility of each member will be allocated. Company will follow this plan and
see that activities are going on as decided (Saunders and Lewis, 2012). If any deviation found,
that can be corrected using corrective measures. This is how the PRINCE2 methodology will be
implemented in its entirety.
iii. Encountering the issue when implementing the chosen project management methodology
At the time of implementation of this methodology, manager may encounter with several
issues which will hinder its proper implementation. As this methodology includes the variable of
time and costs so there are high chances of involvement of heavy cost during the implementation
(Verzuh, 2015). When the company will be on low budget that time this issue may create
problem. Furthermore, it requires the involvement of stakeholders from beginning to end so there
are chances that members may not be present all the time and due to this, certain issues might get
faced by the company. In addition with that, lack of project leadership may result in poor
implementation of the PRINCE2 methodology.
iv. Addressing the difficulties faced in attempting to implement the methodology
There are various difficulties faced by the project manager during the implementation of
PRINCE2 methodology in Organization B. Some of the issues have been listed in above
discussion. Therefore, the manager is required to handle these issues in order to implement the
methodology in an effective manner (Steyn and et.al., 2016). For removing the issue of cost and
time constraint, a manager must plan the budget accordingly and also the manager must analyze
various alternatives of implementation which involve low cost. Moreover, for avoiding time
constraint, manager must provide deadline to every member of the team so that they work
accordingly.
Furthermore, manager should create a backup of human resources so that they can be
utilized when any stakeholder is missing. Moreover, by providing proper training to the leaders
and hiring effective leaders, leadership issue can be avoided by the manager.
v. Attributing benefits by using the chosen project management methodology
There are various benefits associated with the use of PRINCE2 methodology and that
have been listed as follows:

1. It is predictable because it breaks down all the stages of activities into controllable and
manageable stages which can be closely monitored till it closure. Thus, it decreases the
chances of failure at any stages (Rose, 2013).
2. Thus methodology is utilizing the best practice because it helps the project in delivering
best quality products.
3. This method is tried because it is revised, input from project management professionals
from around the world.
4. Moreover, it is a standardized methodology and is free to use.
Organization C
i. Implementing a project management methodology is considered a management level activity
There are numerous project management methodology which are used by project
management department in a firm for implementing the project in an appropriate manner. As per
given information, Organization C is an IT company and provide technology services to the
customers. It is located in worldwide and has 1200 employees who are serving customers
worldwide. Moreover, this firm is into technological service so best project management
methodology can be implemented into this firm is Agile (Morris, 2011). The reason is that Agile
emphasize over continuous improvement, scope flexibility, team input and the delivery of
essential quality products. Moreover, approaches of this methodology involve scrum as a
framework, extreme programming (XP) for building in quality upfront and lean thinking for
eliminating waste.
This implementation would be done at managerial level because the manager of projects
department will implement this method for carrying out its project so this implementation is
regarded as management level activity. This methodology requires proper planning, direction,
execution, and control measures for doing proper activities. Stakeholders involved during the
implementation are project manager, an IT team and networking team.
ii. Implementing chosen project management methodology in its entirety. Supporting the
decision with an implementation plan
When the technological firm wants to deliver an IT service to its customer, it has to build
a project so that in a proper manner it can implement the service. For this aspect, Agile is the

best methodology which an Organization C can use. Furthermore, this methodology is of early
delivering business value with less bureaucracy and is a collection of software development
methodology that works on an iterative and incremental method that are building the software
from the very initiation of the project development rather than building all the software at once
(Morris, 2010).
The implementation plan involved for this methodology is that very first step of this
method is planning where it can be done by breaking user stories into smaller part then gathering
information related with stories and then preparing plan, time and cost for carrying out the work.
Second step is to analyze in which stories in parking lot are captured, then prioritization of those
stories are done, later defining the budget and lastly defining iteration span time (Kerzner, 2013).
Third stage is to deign where break down of task is done, then test scenario preparation and
regression automation framework is done. Fourth is the execution of plan then wrapping and
lastly closure of plan is done.
iii. Encountering the issue when implementing the chosen project management methodology
There are numerous issues which company faces while implementing Agile into its
project management. Furthermore, some of the common issues which the firm may encounter
while implementing this methodology are mindset change in which manager thought that it is the
same thing they were already doing but they missed out key points which is included in Agile.
Due to this, Agile cannot be implemented appropriately. Further, Scrum fails to get traction
which leads to the distraction from the real work of the project (Tadeu de Oliveira Lacerda,
Ensslin and Rolim Ensslin, 2011). This may hinder the effective implementation of Agile.
Moreover, there are high chances of misunderstanding the process during the implementation
and this may lead to the improper implementation of this methodology.
iv. Addressing the difficulties faced in attempting to implement the methodology
Certain difficulties faced during the implementation of Agile have been discussed above
and it is necessary to solve those issues for the effective implementation of Agile methodology.
The first issue faced by the firm is the change of mindset and this can be addressed by providing
effective training to the people and educating them about the benefits and usage of Agile. This
will help in avoiding this issue during implementation (Verzuh, 2015). Second issue was that
scrum fails to get traction which can be resolved using proper methods and procedures. Thirdly,

chances of misunderstanding process can again hinder the implementation, thus, to avoid such
issues, it is important to clearly lay down the process in front of every stakeholder before
implementing so it will help in carrying out the implementation process in a smooth manner.
v. Attributing benefits by using the chosen project management methodology
When Agile Methodology gets implemented in an IT firm then it brings along various
benefits to the project management department (Waterfall model- advantages, disadvantages,
2017). Some of the benefits of Agile Methodology are as follows:
1. When Agile is implemented in the firm then manager could focus more clearly towards
its project and that would help in delivering high quality products which will help in
getting repeat sales.
2. Because of Agile, manager would be able to focus more towards its project
implementation which will result in high quality services, therefore, this will directly lead
to higher customer satisfaction and this is another benefit of Agile implementation.
3. This methodology will also help in reducing risk because prediction can be done in
advance which will let the manager to take prior decisions.
4. Along with that faster ROI could be achieved,
CONCLUSION
From the above report, it can be concluded that project management is used widely
around the globe and its usage is increasing on a continuous basis. Furthermore, there are various
project management methodologies which are used by different firm according to their nature of
work. Thus, in this report, three organizations have been taken which works in different fields
and for that separate three methodologies have been chosen; one is Waterfall model, second is
PRINCE2 methodology and last is Agile methodology. These three works as per the nature of
projects and through this company has got many benefits which have helped in growing them in
a competitive market.

REFERENCES
Journals and Books
Kerzner, H., 2013. Project management: a systems approach to planning, scheduling, and
controlling. John Wiley & Sons.
Burke, R., 2013. Project management: planning and control techniques. New Jersey, USA.
Larson, E.W. and Gray, C., 2013. Project Management: The Managerial Process with MS
Project. McGraw-Hill.
Meredith, J.R. and Mantel Jr, S.J., 2011. Project management: a managerial approach. John
Wiley & Sons.
Schwalbe, K., 2015. Information technology project management. Cengage Learning.
Fleming, Q.W. and Koppelman, J.M., 2016, December. Earned value project management.
Project Management Institute.
Wysocki, R.K., 2011. Effective project management: traditional, agile, extreme. John Wiley &
Sons.
Walker, A., 2015. Project management in construction. John Wiley & Sons.
Leach, L.P., 2014. Critical chain project management. Artech House.
Kerzner, H., 2017. Project management metrics, KPIs, and dashboards: a guide to measuring
and monitoring project performance. John Wiley & Sons.
Gido, J., Clements, J. and Clements, J., 2014. Successful project management. Nelson Education.
Cicmil, S. and et.al., 2017, April. Exploring the complexity of projects: Implications of
complexity theory for project management practice. Project Management Institute.
Meskendahl, S., 2010. The influence of business strategy on project portfolio management and
its success—a conceptual framework. International Journal of Project Management, 28(8),
pp.807-817.

Saunders, M.N. and Lewis, P., 2012. Doing research in business & management: An essential
guide to planning your project. Pearson.
Verzuh, E., 2015. The fast forward MBA in project management. John Wiley & Sons.
Steyn, H. and et.al., 2016. Project management: A multi-disciplinary approach. FPM Publishing.
Rose, K.H., 2013. A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide)
—Fifth Edition. Project management journal, 44(3).
Morris, P.W., 2011. A brief history of project management. Oxford University Press.
Morris, P.W., 2010. Research and the future of project management. International Journal of
Managing Projects in Business, 3(1), pp.139-146.
Tadeu de Oliveira Lacerda, R., Ensslin, L. and Rolim Ensslin, S., 2011. A performance
measurement view of IT project management. International Journal of Productivity and
Performance Management, 60(2), pp.132-151.
Online
Waterfall model- advantages, disadvantages. 2017. [Online]. Available through <
http://istqbexamcertification.com/what-is-waterfall-model-advantages-disadvantages-and-when-
to-use-it/ >. [Accessed on 15th September, 2017].
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https://www.pmi.org/about/learn-about-pmi/what-is-project-management>. [Accessed on 15th
September, 2017].

APPENDICES
APPENDIX 1
Figure 1: Waterfall Methodology
APPENDIX 2
Figure 2: PRINCE2 Methodology

APPENDIX 3
Figure 3: Hierarchy of PRINCE2
APPENDIX 4

Figure 4: Hierarchy of AGILE