ICT Project Management Report: Methodologies and Project Life Cycle

This report delves into the realm of ICT project management, providing a comprehensive analysis of methodologies and project life cycles. It begins by defining methodology and its critical role in project management, emphasizing its systematic approach to task completion and risk mitigation. The report then offers a detailed comparison and contrast between the Waterfall and PRINCE2 methodologies, highlighting their distinct approaches to project execution, including their phases and structures. Furthermore, the assignment identifies the application of both Waterfall and PRINCE2 within the project life cycle, outlining the specific phases associated with each methodology. The report references several key sources, including works by Kerzner, Burke, Marchewka, and others to support its analysis.

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

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Table of Contents
Question 1..................................................................................................................................2
Question 2..................................................................................................................................3
Question 3..................................................................................................................................5
References..................................................................................................................................8

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Question 1
Definition of Methodology and its Role in Project Management
The methodology can be stated as the system of methods that are utilized within any
specific activity. The theoretical analysis of several methods for encompassing the concepts
like paradigm as well as qualitative and quantitative techniques is called the methodology
(Kerzner & Kerzner, 2017). Due to the vast association of principles and theories,
methodology is used in project management for the proper execution of the project.
Moreover, it even provides a systematic approach towards the completion of tasks for any
project or process.
The methodology plays one of the major and important roles in project management.
This methodology of project management can be stated as the proper amalgamation of
various logical methodologies, practices as well as procedures that is being used with the core
purpose to determine the significant process of development, control and even delivery of
that specific project by the perfect process of deployment (Burke, 2013). The most important
and noteworthy benefit of the methodology of project management would be that it
eventually allows the organization in tackling the projects systematically with acceptable
risks. Moreover, the advantages at the levels of operational, tactical and strategic are also
enhanced with this methodology. Easy process of decision making is the next benefit of
project management methodology. Since, methodologies could easily specify the requirement
and selection of tasks, it is extremely effective and efficient within project management for
maximizing the utilization of time as well as resources.

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Question 2
Comparison and Contrast between Waterfall and PRINCE2 with Differences and
Similarities
There are several significant and popular methodologies of project management,
which help the project managers in executing the project properly.
The comparison and contrast between the waterfall and PRINCE2 methodologies are
as follows:
i) The waterfall model is the linear sequential designing approach for engineering
design (Marchewka, 2014). For software development, this waterfall model tends to be
amongst the lesser iterative as well as flexible approaches, since the progress flows majorly
in one specific direction.
The PRINCE2 or Projects in Controlled Environments is a structured methodology of
project management that majorly emphasizes on the division of projects into controllable as
well as manageable stages.
ii) There are six distinct phases within waterfall model. These phases are analysis,
designing, implementation, testing, installation and finally maintenance (Larson et al., 2014).
It is a sequential methodology that could be completed after completion of each step.
On the other hand, PRINCE2 methodology comprises of five specified phases, which
are initiation of project, planning and direction of project, controlling of a stage, management
of the stage boundaries as well as management of the product delivery and finally closing of
the project.

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iii) The PRINCE2 methodology is a structured approach and could be completed after
proper execution of each and every step. A proper framework and several guidelines are
followed in this particular approach.
Waterfall model is similar to the PRINCE2 methodology (Fleming & Koppelman,
2016). It is also a structured approach and follows proper structure and framework to
complete the project properly.

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Question 3
Identification of the Waterfall and PRINCE2 in Project Life Cycle
The waterfall model is the entire procedure that is majorly segregated into six phases
and due to its sequential approach, it is often termed as linear sequential life cycle model. The
phases of this methodology are as follows:
i) Requirement analysis: The first phase is requirement analysis (Walker, 2015). The
various requirements of the project are checked properly.
ii) Designing: The next phase is designing the project. The project manager is
responsible for this activity.
iii) Implementation: The project deliverable is implemented in this particular phase of
waterfall model.
iv) Testing: The testing of the project is completed in the fourth stage and the
debugging of defects is done.
v) Installation: The entire process of installation is completed in this phase.
vi) Maintenance: Finally, in the sixth phase of waterfall model, the maintenance of
the project is done.

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Figure 1: Waterfall Methodology Phases
(Source: Marchewka, 2014)
The five phases of PRINCE2 life cycle are as follows:
i) Starting and Initiation: The first and the foremost phase of the PRINCE2
methodology of project management is starting and initiation. In this stage, the project is
initiated.
ii) Planning and Direction: In the second phase of the methodology, proper planning
and direction of project is done eventually.
iii) Controlling of Stage: The third phase of the PRINCE2 project management
methodology is the controlling of several stages.
iv) Management of Stage: The proper management of stages is the next significant
phase of this methodology (Fleming & Koppelman, 2016).
v) Closing of Project: Finally, in the fifth stage, the project is closed and proper
maintained.

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Figure 2: Phases of PRINCE2 Methodology
(Source: Burke, 2013)

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References
Burke, R. (2013). Project management: planning and control techniques. New Jersey, USA.
Fleming, Q. W., & Koppelman, J. M. (2016, December). Earned value project management.
Project Management Institute.
Kerzner, H., & Kerzner, H. R. (2017). Project management: a systems approach to planning,
scheduling, and controlling. John Wiley & Sons.
Larson, E. W., Gray, C. F., Danlin, U., Honig, B., & Bacarini, D. (2014). Project
management: The managerial process (Vol. 6). Grandview Heights, OH: McGraw-
Hill Education.
Marchewka, J. T. (2014). Information technology project management. John Wiley & Sons.
Walker, A. (2015). Project management in construction. John Wiley & Sons.