Project Management Methodologies: Evaluation and Comparative Analysis

This report delves into the realm of project management methodologies, focusing on their application and effectiveness in achieving project objectives. The report begins with an introduction that highlights the significance of project management across various industries and emphasizes the importance of methodologies. It then explores the chosen topic of project management methodologies and their role in attaining project goals. The report includes a selection of articles that examine methodologies such as Agile, Prince2, and PMBOK, offering insights into their characteristics and applications. It also discusses the main ideas and themes from the research scholars in their studies. The report includes a critical evaluation of different methodologies, comparing their strengths and weaknesses. The report further examines the use of project management methodologies in different sectors, including IT projects and government organizations, and provides a comparative analysis of various methodologies. The report concludes with a summary of the key findings and their implications for project management practices.

Project Management and
Innovations

TABLE OF CONTENTS
introduction...........................................................................................................................................3
Project Management Topic...............................................................................................................3
Selected articles.................................................................................................................................3
Idea and themes................................................................................................................................4
Critical evaluation of ideas.................................................................................................................8
Disagree and Dislikes.........................................................................................................................9
Measure up with your experience...................................................................................................10
Additional thoughts.........................................................................................................................10
Conclusion...........................................................................................................................................11
references............................................................................................................................................12
Biblography.........................................................................................................................................14

INTRODUCTION
Project Management plays a significant role in managing different types of
projections of every industry of all over the world. The scope of the project management
practices is very wide because it focuses on the innovation, strategy, teamwork, schedule,
cost, quality, risk and methodologies, etc. (Kerzner, 2013). So, it is very difficult to include
all these topics in a single report. So, the current report has chosen a specific topic which is
project management methodologies and its role in managing project and attaining objectives.
Regarding this, report will comprise five different articles of the different author who have
researched similar subject. These articles will help in understanding the different aspects of
the project management methodologies and provide an insight to develop a meaningful
conclusion. Along with this, the author will describe the main ideas and themes which have
used by past research scholars in their studies (Schwalbe, 2015). Afterwards, the reflective
statement will also be described in the following paragraphs of the report.
Project Management Topic
Use of project management methodologies and their role in attaining objectives of the
project is the main topic of this report. Project management methodologies provide guidelines
and process for project managers to complete the project in the specific manner (Fleming and
Koppelman, 2016). It is not a tool specific, but the organization's project management
software and methodologies are intertwined. These methodologies include themes, principles,
process and standards that play the significant part in completing the project in specified
time, cost, quality, and resources. Using a right methodologies project manager can determine
the success and failure of the project in an easy manner. There are some project management
methodologies that can be selected by different organizations for completing their complex
projects and these are Agile, Prince2, Waterfall, Scrum, Kanban and PMBOK, etc (Boud,
Cohen and Sampson, 2014).
Selected articles
For understanding the concepts of different methodologies, researcher has been
chosen different journal articles (Walker, 2015). These papers are based on distinct subjects
such as comparison of two different methodologies for similar projects. Along with this, the
study has selected articles related to the reason behind the use of project management
methodologies by different organizations. Critical evaluation of the Prince2 and Agile
metrologies for the complex project is also an important article for understanding the subject
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of the current report (Kerzner, 2017). At the time of literature, review author has found that
most of the digital organizations are using Agile methodologies for completing their projects
so, the author has also included an article related to the future approach of the Agile to the
management of projects. Also, comparative analysis of all these methodologies is one of the
necessary aspects of their study so, the researcher has included an article also which have also
done a comparative study of project management methodologies (Leach, 2014). Therefore,
the major articles which have chosen by the researcher are listed as follows:
1. Comparison of project management methodologies: prince two versus PMBOK for it
projects.
2. Agile project management – a future approach to the management of projects?
3. Organizational project management methodologies Structures, contents, and use.
4. Critical Evaluation of Prince2 and Agile Project Management Methodologies for a
complex project.
5. Project Management Methodologies: A Comparative Analysis.
Idea and themes
Karaman and Kurt, 2015 has been the focus on two different methodologies Prince2
and PMBOK. The major aim of the study was to compare both methodologies to determine
the significant characteristics of these practices to assist in decision-making process of the
organization to manage their IT projects (Karaman and Kurt, 2015). Major themes of this
study were section criteria for project management methodologies. Karaman and Kurt, 2015
has compared both methodologies on different aspects such as coverage, management
frameworks, IT project management characteristics, practical approach, comprehensive
approach, project board activities, management by exceptions, product focus, customer
requirements focus, detailed techniques, etc. (Karaman and Kurt, 2015). As per the study
author has described that organizations should select project management methodologies by
the overall strategy of the company and the competitiveness of the methodologies towards the
strategy. Further, the company should also focus on the size of the project team and priority
of the project. Including this, flexibility and components are also important aspects which
need to be focused by the project manager at the time of selection of methodologies for
completing projects (Turner, 2016). Comparison of both methodologies have reflected that
Prince2 is focused on the business case and products, but PMBOK focuses on customer
requirements. Prince2 is practice and focus on critical areas, but PMBOK is comprehensive.
Along with this, it has also concluded that PMBOK includes continuous monitoring on
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different phases of the projects, but PRINCE2 has the stronger emphasis on the continuous
business case only (Rosemann and vom Brocke, 2015). Major coverage of PMBOK includes
stakeholder and human resource management, quality, scope, cost, time and risk. Regarding
project life cycle both methodologies use different processes for managing every stage of the
lifecycle. Regarding IT project management characteristics Prince2 is appropriate for small
size project as compared to the PMBOK. Overall, this study has concluded that PMBOK
provides the more comprehensive approach with large techniques, but there are some features
of Prince2 which have been not covered by PMBOK (Gido, Clements and Clements, 2014).
So, project manager needs to choose methodologies as per their projects and requirements.
Another article which has been chosen by researcher is Organizational Project
management methodologies, Structure, content and its use. This study was conducted by
Vaskimo in 2015. It is one of systematic research in which researcher has focused on among
ten case studies of different organizations (Vaskimo, 2015). Along with this, it has also used
primary and secondary data collection methods for obtaining facts and figures about the
subject. Afterwards, it has been applied qualitative methods for analyzing the collected
information. Major themes of this study were based on project management structure, cost,
budget, schedule, risk management and reporting communication and information system.
Major sections of this study are Introduction, Literature review, methodology, case analysis,
cross-case analysis, discussion, conclusion, and recommendations. Review of literature has
been focused on organizational, public domain and commercial project management
methodologies (Vaskimo, 2015). Findings of the secondary data analysis have helped in
getting insights to understand the problems of the different organizations by which author can
select the appropriate methodology for resolving the problem of every case. Just because it
has included ten different cases, it needed to focus on a number of methodologies also such
as NOCOP, Prince2, Scrum, UPMM, XLPM, etc. The hypothesis of the project was based on
structure, content, and use of project management methodologies. As per the findings of the
article, organization needs to use a specific structure for project management methodologies,
and these include auditing process and system, lesson learned system, project reporting,
support system, cost and budget management system, risk and communication management
system and information system, etc. (Vaskimo, 2015). Along with this, case analysis and
cross-case analysis have found the major content which needs to be used by the organization
at the time of using appropriate project management methodologies. Content includes
information regarding roles of team members, description of project, compliance
requirements, schedule, material requirements, etc. For geting all these content organizations
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need to use different documents such as template and tools, process guidelines, diagrams and
frameworks, and instructions. Findings have also reflected that organizations need to use
project management methodologies for attaining aim, objectives and completing projects as
per the cost, budget and time (Portny, 2017).
Karaman and Kurt, 2015 has compared the Prince2 and PMBOK, but for including
different methodologies, the current study has been chosen a research paper of Priyanka,
2016 that has been included a critical evaluation of Prince2 and Agile project management
methodologies for complex projects (Priyanka, 2016). Agile is one of the major
methodologies which is used by different organizations for resolving the technical problems
in the present era. Research problem of Priyanka, 2016 stated that most of the IT related
projects become fail due to the project complexity, intensity of the business requirements and
changes in technology. One of the themes of this study has stated that Prince2 is the best
solution for resolving such type of issues because this methodology divides the whole
problem into different small stages which can be easily resolved. As per the study, Prince2
includes seven different principles, themes, and processes in which all processes cover whole
project life cycle by which every organization can complete all the activities of project life
cycle effectively (Priyanka, 2016). According to the ideas of this study, seven themes of
Prince2 methodology includes the risk, quality, and business case of the project. Principles of
Prince2 helps in maintaining the required standards. Therefore, all themes of this study have
cleared that Prince2 is one of the best methodologies for organizations for managing their
complex and large-scale projects. On the other hand, Priyanka, 2016 has also, disclosed that
Agile is the most suitable approach for managing medium and small-scale project (Hill,
2013). This methodology highlights the development activities, product requirements, and
error-free delivery. It is secondary data collection study which has analyzed the whole data
using the qualitative analysis. Author has used the literature review method for obtaining
facts regarding Agile and Prince2 methodology. The study has covered a detailed description
of both methodologies which has helped in understanding these in the effective manner
(Priyanka, 2016).
Chin, and Spowage, 2012 has also conducted the comparative analysis of project
management methodology, but its approach for completing investigation is different (Chin
and Spowage, 2012). All the writers have been focused on the different project management
methodologies for the different organization, but it has been applied a project management
methodology for different sectors such as academic institutions, industry organizations, and
government organizations. The current study has classified project management
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methodologies in five different levels such as best practices standards and guidelines, Sector
specific methodology, organization-specific customized methodology, project-specific
methodology and individualized methodology (Chin and Spowage, 2012). But, this study has
been focused on only level 3 methodology and its characteristics and implication of these in
three different sectors. For making the comparison between different universities, industries
and government organization author has used some elements which include project phases,
processes, types, input and output activities, tools and techniques, checklist, etc. Comparison
between different universities has been reflected that major PM practices which have been
used by universities are PMBOK, Thomsett organization 3rd wave PM, Prince2, IPA, MSF
and Knapp and Moore. But, on the other hand, major PM practices which have been used by
industries are PMBOK, IBM RUP, and PROPS. As per the Findings of the comparative
analysis, government organizations use only PMBOK for managing their projects and
different phases. Therefore, as per the objective author has completed a comparative analysis
in an effective manner (Pearlson, Saunders and Galletta, 2016).
As per the current business scenario, most of the organizations are using project
management methodologies for managing their IT projects. So, the author has selected an
article which has been focused on the Agile methodology which is one of the useful practice
for managing IT projects (Karaman and Kurt, 2015). So, the researcher has chosen the study
of Stare, 2013 and major aim of this study is determining that whether Agile project
management methodology is a future approach for managing projects of different
organizations or not. Therefore, selected article has been focused on current and future
benefits of Agile. As per the study of Stare, 2013 project management is emerging
innovations and new techniques. Agile is one of the most popular and successful
methodologies for delivering the best outcome in the era of the 21st century (Stare, 2013).
This practice was focused on the field of software development and provided benefits to
entire project team and client. This article was focused on the most innovations introduced by
the Agile for different types of project. As per the study, Agile is the best approach for
software development projects because it gives the highest priority to the satisfaction of the
client and welcomes all changes which are required for attaining objectives. It also focuses on
motivation, sustainable development, face to face conversation, self-organizing team and
change management (Stare, 2013). All these aspects play important role in completing the
project in a specific manner. The study has also focused on the weaknesses of the traditional
approach of the project management such as allocation of the task to team members by the
manager could delay the whole project. Lack of the communication, collaboration, waste of
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time and cost, strict sequence, the pressure of deadline are the major weaknesses of the
traditional approach of the project management. Analysis of the traditional approach has
helped in understanding the benefits of the Agile effectively. Overall, the conclusion of the
study has reflected that Agile can be a future approach to manage different projects in all
organizations. Because it can manage all IT projects in an effective manner as compared to
the traditional approach (Schwalbe, 2015).
Critical evaluation of ideas
Critical evaluation of the different articles has helped me in understanding the
different aspects of the project management. Analysis of the paper of Karaman and Kurt,
2015 has reflected five different objectives during the selection of project management
methodologies. I am also agreed with these objectives. I like the described selection criteria
(Karaman and Kurt, 2015). I am also agreed with that organizations should select only those
methodologies which are competitive with the strategic management of the company and
provide priority to the project. Along with this, as per my opinion flexible methodologies also
helpful regarding managing competencies. Therefore, I like the theme of Karaman and Kurt,
2015 which has been focused on selection criteria of the project management methodologies.
I have evaluated the article of Vaskimo, 2015 and I like the way of research and
structure of the whole paper. Author has completed the entire investigation in a very
systematic manner (Vaskimo, 2015). Along with this I also agree with the use of different
case study for a single paper because it helps in understanding the different aspects and issues
of the project management by which author can use the appropriate methodology for
resolving issues. As per the author, I also agree with that every organization needs to focus on
structure content and use of project management methodologies (Fleming and Koppelman,
2016). The study has utilized the quantitative techniques for analyzing collected facts and
figures which is one of the favorable methods for finding the appropriate result. Therefore, I
am completely satisfied with the findings of the study of Vaskimo, 2015.
Priyanka, 2016 has completed the critical evaluation of Prince2 and Agile in a
detailed manner. I like the way in which it has written its conclusion which has provided a
clear idea of all findings of the paper (Priyanka, 2016). I am also agreed with the result that
Prince2 is one of the important methodologies for managing large scale projects, and Agile is
beneficial for medium size and Small-scale projects. Prince2 can help in managing
construction and other big projects but on the other hand Agile can resolve the IT related
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projects easily. Therefore, I am completely agreed with the findings of this study (Walker,
2015).
Regarding study of Chin, and Spowage, 2012 I like the idea of comparing three
different sectors using a similar level methodology. It is one of the different concept related
to this study. Along with this, I also like the classification of the project management
methodologies which can help in adopting an appropriate approach at the different level of
the project (Chin and Spowage, 2012).
Stare, 2013 has completed his study in an effective manner and found the meaningful
conclusion for the research question. I like the choice of methodologies in which study has
been chosen Agile as a modern approach and Waterfall as a traditional approach (Stare,
2013). Agile is frequently used by various organizations for managing their information
technology projects. Along with this, the author has compared the Agile with the traditional
practice, and I like this method for getting the appropriate result. I am also agreed that there is
no other way to get the truth because without making the comparison of present with past
study cannot predict the future of Agile. So, I like the design of the research (Boud, Cohen
and Sampson, 2014).
Disagree and Dislikes
Karaman and Kurt, 2015 has been focused on only PMBOK and Prince2 which is a
very narrow aspects of project management methodologies. Because there is the number of
methodologies which can also be compared to batter results. Along with this, the author has
not focused on a specific country, organization, and project. The whole study is based on
general content which increases the expectations of readers. So, I disagree with the study
regarding generalization of the content (Leach, 2014). The author should focus on a specific
problem and afterward should compare the selection of both methodologies.
Vaskimo, 2015 has focused on the ten different case studies of distinct organization
with various problems, but it has not used all major methodologies such as agile, waterfall,
etc. These two are major methodologies of project management, but the author has not
included enough description about these. Along with this, the author has been focused on
only three aspects structure content and use, but study needs to focus on benefits and
drawbacks of every methodology which has been used by organizations for resolving
problems. Also, the author has not provided specific recommendations for organizations
(Turner, 2016). So, I dislike that author has not included some more points which can
enhance the value to their research study.
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Priyanka, 2016 has completed the whole study in a systematic manner by which she
found a significant and clear conclusion for the research problem. But, as per my opinion
study should include some primary facts also that can include the contemporary data. It can
increase the value of the research. Along with this, it has not included any specific example
of the project which is one of the major dislikes of this study.
Chin, and Spowage, 2012 has completed a comparative analysis effectively, but in
some aspects, I am not agreed. This study has only focused on level 3 methodologies for all
three sectors, and its elements were also decided which has reduced the scope of the research.
Because the author has not included the risk and opportunities which are the major aspect of
the project management methodologies. Along with this, I disagree with the selection of
sectors all these sectors are different from each other; the author should compare either
organizations or industry along with this they can compare different organizations of various
industries also (Hill, 2013).
As per the theme of Stare, 2013 author has compared Agile with waterfall only. So, I
am not agreed with this because the objective of the study has been stated the future scope of
the Agile which has a wide scope of the research, but the author has used only two
methodologies for concluding. So, as per my opinion author needed to focus on other
important methodologies also for getting a right conclusion and these are Prince2, PMBOK,
and Scrum, etc. (Pearlson, Saunders and Galletta, 2016).
Measure up with your experience
The accomplishment of the current paper was not an easy task because it has included
the critical analysis of five different paper which is one of the complex tasks to complete
effectively. I am satisfied with my experience because I have learned lots of new things
which will help in conducting future research. This research has increased my critical
analysis skills, and after completing this research, I have got lots of new knowledge regarding
project management methodologies (Gido, Clements and Clements, 2014). Now, I have
appropriate knowledge regarding the use of the different methodology in the different project.
Learning has augmented regarding importance of project management methodologies for
completing a specific projects and organization's vision. Now I can easily compare different
methodology in various aspects. I have got lots of new knowledge regarding research and
selection of various articles. Also, the accomplishment of the research has also increased my
English proficiency also. I have faced some problem in selecting the right article for this
study, but for resolving this issue, I have used inclusion and exclusion criteria. I have chosen
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only those research paper which was related to the project management methodologies and
published after 2010 and sued the English language. Therefore, the whole research has
measured up with my experience in an effective manner (Portny, 2017).
Additional thoughts
While I was reading these articles, I have got some additional thoughts like the author can
conduct the same study in coming future for some specific real-life projects. It will help in
increasing the understanding and use of project management methodologies in the effective
manner (Rosemann and vom Brocke, 2015).
CONCLUSION
The current research study has been chosen project management methodology which
is one of the major aspects of the project management. For completing this research, author
has used five specific research papers. So, the author has selected some papers regarding
project management methodologies such as Prince2, Agile, PMBOK, Waterfall, future scope
of the Agile, etc. all these articles were perfect as per the objective of the study. Findings
have reflected that Waterfall was one of the major approaches that have been used by
organization in past years. But, at present most of the agencies are using themes, principles,
and processes of Prince2 for complex and large-scale projects. Similarly, some of the
organizations are also using Agile for Software development IT related projects. So, it is one
of the major methodologies which will be used in future project management processes.
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REFERENCES
Boud, D., Cohen, R. and Sampson, J. eds., 2014. Peer learning in higher education:
Learning from and with each other. Routledge.
Chin, C. M. M. and Spowage, A. C., 2012. Project Management Methodologies: A
Comparative Analysis, Journal for the Advancement of Performance Information and Value,
4(1), pp.106-118.
Fleming, Q.W. and Koppelman, J.M., 2016, December. Earned value project management.
Project Management Institute.
Gido, J., Clements, J. and Clements, J., 2014. Successful project management. Nelson
Education.
Hill, G.M., 2013. The complete project management office handbook. CRC Press.
Karaman, E. and Kurt, M., 2015. Comparison of project management methodologies: prince
2 versus PMBOK for it projects. Int. Journal of Applied Sciences and Engineering
Research, 4(5), pp.657-664.
Kerzner, H., 2013. Project management: a systems approach to planning, scheduling, and
controlling. John Wiley & Sons.
Kerzner, H., 2017. Project management metrics, KPIs, and dashboards: a guide to
measuring and monitoring project performance. John Wiley & Sons.
Leach, L.P., 2014. Critical chain project management. Artech House.
Pearlson, K.E., Saunders, C.S. and Galletta, D.F., 2016. Managing and Using Information
Systems, Binder Ready Version: A Strategic Approach. John Wiley & Sons.
Portny, S.E., 2017. Project management for dummies. John Wiley & Sons.
Priyanka, 2016. Critical Evaluation of Prince2 and Agile Project Management Methodologies
for a complex project. International Journal Of Engineering And Computer Science (IJECS),
5(10), pp.18702-18706.
Rosemann, M. and vom Brocke, J., 2015. The six core elements of business process
management. In Handbook on business process management 1 (pp. 105-122). Springer Berlin
Heidelberg.
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