Project Management Methodologies Report: SDLC, Waterfall Analysis

This report delves into the realm of project management methodologies, offering a comprehensive overview of their definitions, roles, and applications. It specifically examines the System Development Life Cycle (SDLC) and Waterfall methodologies, comparing and contrasting their approaches to project management. The report elucidates how these methodologies relate to the product lifecycle, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses in different project contexts. It provides insights into the practical application of these methodologies, emphasizing their importance in project planning, execution, and successful goal attainment. Furthermore, the report underscores the significance of selecting the most suitable methodology based on project requirements and the need for managers to adapt their workflows accordingly for optimal results. References to relevant literature are included to support the analysis and provide a foundation for further exploration of the subject matter.

RUNNING HEAD: PROJECT MANAGEMENT METHODOLOGIES 1
PROJECT MANAGEMENT METHODOLOGIES
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Contents
Definition of methodologies in project management......................................................................3
Role of methodologies in project management...............................................................................3
SDLC...............................................................................................................................................4
Waterfall..........................................................................................................................................4
How SDLC and Waterfall methods related to product life cycle....................................................4
Reference.........................................................................................................................................6

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Definition of methodologies in project management
The report will discuss in detail about the project management methodology. A methodology can
be defined as a system of many practices, tools, processes and rules taken up by managers in
order to work in a disciplined form. However, a methodology has to be from something more
rooted from something basic that rules the fact of us performing things in a specific manner. As a
project manager, there are so many methods to deliver the work in project (Ahlemann et al,
2013). In broader terms, these methodologies apply number of different set of principles,
framework, processes and rules along with standards to assist that helps in providing a structure
to the manner in which manager deliver projects. In other words, a methodology can be defined
as a model where project manager take up different designs or methods for planning, execution
and successful accomplishment of the goals of projects. There is varied kind of project
management methodologies to advantage different set of projects.
Role of methodologies in project management
In order to speed up the flow of the project in faster manner where there is less wastage of time
and efforts, there are different kinds of methodologies that can be used. Two of them will discuss
in detail further in the report. Every methodology have their own set of benefits, however, they
may not necessarily apply on every projects. Therefore, it is important to properly evaluate each
methodology as per the project. At the same time, it is equally important to keep in mind that the
manager will have to adapt to workflow of team’s process especially when it does not match up
in perfect manner (Leach, 2014). This will help in maximizing the overall effectiveness of
methodology on the project and the chances of it getting maximum success.

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SDLC
This method can be defined as a conceptual model utilized in the software based development
projects. The method therefore helps in raising a possibility of mixing two or sometimes more
project management methodology for the best results. The process of SLC also heavily
dependent on the usage of the documentation and also has strict rules for the same (Snyder,
2014).
Waterfall
This model can be called as a legacy model since this method is in existence for decades now
before any other new methodology has been developed and practiced. The model is based on
development lifecycle which has fixed amount of phases with a timeline which is linear by
nature (Crawford, 2014). This model is also not very capable to deal with issues in the present
time of modern software development phase. In traditional sense, this method handles things in a
sequential manner which starts right from the basic concept to planning phase and then it goes
through development along with assurance of quality to final completion of the project (Verzuh,
2015). The needs for the project are discussed and defined right at the beginning and with little
or sometime no change to the plan unless it become perfectly important. This method is used
usually for large project where proper planning and a proper process are crucial.
How SDLC and Waterfall methods related to product life cycle
Selection of the most suitable kind of methodology in a project management can be a
challenging job. When the selection of the right method starts, there are only few factors that the
project manager should consider.

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It is crucial to have clarity while adopting these methodologies in project since a small number of
communications is involved here with the consumer at the time of developing the end product
(Martinelli & Milosevic, 2016). These project management methodologies help in applying the
right and most traditional kind of designs in the projects. This is why it is important to know the
clear difference in implementation and mastering to know which is the right process or
methodology can a challenging job.

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Reference
Ahlemann, F., El Arbi, F., Kaiser, M. G., & Heck, A. (2013). A process framework for
theoretically grounded prescriptive research in the project management
field. International Journal of Project Management, 31(1), 43-56.
Crawford, J. K. (2014). Project management maturity model. CRC Press.
Leach, L. P. (2014). Critical chain project management. Artech House.
Martinelli, R. J., & Milosevic, D. Z. (2016). Project management toolbox: tools and techniques
for the practicing project manager. John Wiley & Sons.
Snyder, C. S. (2014). A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge: PMBOK (®)
Guide. Project Management Institute.
Verzuh, E. (2015). The fast forward MBA in project management. John Wiley & Sons.