What are the Various Project Management Styles?

Project management styles refer to the different approaches that project managers use to plan, organise, and execute their projects. The choice of a particular project management style depends on the project’s nature, the skills and expertise of the project team, and the organisation’s culture. In this blog post, we will discuss the various project management styles that are commonly used in the industry.

1. Waterfall

The waterfall project management style is a linear approach that involves completing one phase of the project before moving on to the next. It is often used in large projects with well-defined objectives and timelines.

A waterfall project management style includes the following phases:

• Initiation
• Planning
• Execution
• Monitoring and controlling
• Closing

The waterfall style works well when the project is complex, and there is a clear understanding of what the final product should look like.

2. Agile

Agile project management is an iterative approach that requires frequent collaboration between the project team and stakeholders. This style is commonly used in software development projects where requirements change frequently. 

Agile project management emphasises flexibility, collaboration, and customer satisfaction. The project is divided into small iterations, each of which is planned, executed, and reviewed. At the end of each iteration, the goal is to deliver a working product.

3. Scrum

Scrum is a subset of the agile project management style that emphasises iterative and incremental development. Scrum involves breaking the project into sprints, which are short periods of time during which the project team focuses on completing specific tasks. The team is self-organising and cross-functional, with daily stand-up meetings to review progress (or identify any roadblocks) and plan for the next day.

Scrum project management is commonly used in software development projects. It encourages transparency, inspection, and adaptation while focusing on providing value to the customer.

4. Lean

The lean project management style is an approach that focuses on delivering maximum customer value while minimising waste. It emphasises continuous improvement, teamwork, and collaboration. 

Lean project teams use tools like value stream mapping and the Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle to streamline processes, eliminate unnecessary steps, and deliver high-quality products and services. The goal is to create a culture of efficiency and effectiveness that allows teams to respond quickly to changing customer needs. 

5. Six Sigma

Six Sigma is a data-driven project management style that aims to improve quality and reduce defects in products and services. It employs statistical techniques and tools to identify and eliminate process variations that cause defects. Six Sigma teams follow a structured approach called DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyse, Improve, Control) to improve processes and achieve a sigma level of 6, meaning a defect rate of 3.4 parts per million. 

The style is commonly used in the manufacturing and healthcare industries, with the goal to provide high-quality products and services to achieve customer satisfaction.

Conclusion

Project management styles vary depending on the project’s nature, the team’s skills and expertise, and the organisation’s culture. The selection of a particular project management style should be based on a careful analysis of the project’s requirements and objectives.

PMP courses are designed to equip project managers with the skills and knowledge they need to manage projects successfully using different project management styles. These advanced bootcamps provide valuable training on various approaches and methodologies for project managers, allowing them to choose the best project management style for a specific project and ensure its success. 

With the knowledge and skills gained from PMP courses, project managers can successfully manage projects, meet deadlines, stay within budget, and ensure customer satisfaction.