Project Management Methodologies Essay Example

Projects in controlled environments 2 (PRINCE2) is a structured method of project management endorsed by the UK government as the standard project management tool in the social sphere. The PRINCE2 methodology includes approaches to management, control and organization of projects. This project management methodology was developed by the Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency (CCTA) in 1989 as government standard applied in the UK for the implementation of IT projects. Now PRINCE2 is commonly used in the public sector, financial, telecommunications and electronic industries. The last change was implemented in 2002. This methodology is process-oriented and product-based. It focuses on the relationships between customers, suppliers and users. At the same management agreements in the framework of the PRINCE 2 are not considered. The project is considered as temporary entity created for the purpose of supplying commercial products resolving particular business case. Each process is defined by inputs and outputs, specific objectives, and actions. The PRINCE2 project consists of eight main top-level processes such as directing, planning; starting up a project, controlling, managing product delivery, stage boundaries, and closing a project. The main features of PRINCE2 are: planning based on the product approach, dividing the project into manageable and controllable stages, flexibility in relation to the scope of the project, certain organizational structures of project management teams.
Agile methodology This management methodology represents series of approaches to software development, focused on the use of iterative strategy, dynamic generation of requirements and ensuring their implementation as a result of constant interaction in self-organizing working groups consisting of specialists in various fields. There are several methods belonging to the class agile development methodologies, particularly extreme programming, DSDM, Scrum, FDD. It is effectively used for organization of work of small groups that ensures uniform creative work along with the application of combined (liberal and democratic) methods. Most agile methodologies are aimed at minimizing risks by reducing the development to a series of short cycles called iterations, which typically last two to three weeks. The iteration is similar to software project in miniature and includes all tasks required for the issuance of a mini-increment of functionality such as planning, requirements analysis, design, programming, testing and documentation. Most agile teams are located in the same offices, sometimes called bullpens. The main metrics of agile methods is the working product. Preferring direct communication, agile methods reduce the amount of written documentation comparing to other methods. This has led to criticism of these methods as undisciplined, although they proved to be really efficient.
Rational Unified Process (RUP) is one of the best methodologies for software development created by the Rational Software Company. It is based on many successful software projects and allows creating complex software systems based on industrial methods of development. One of the major mainstays of RUP is the process of creating models using the unified modeling language (UML). The unified process can be represented as the combination of various activities of the developer, necessary to translate customers requirements into software system. The system is to provide "meaningful results" for users carrying out exactly what they expect from the system.
Six Sigma is popular management concept aimed at improving the quality of work of the organization. This concept was developed in the 1980's by Motorola in order to reduce deviations in the manufacturing processes of electronic components. The essence of this concept is to apply various methods and tools of process management to reduce standard deviation values for a given field of tolerance. The philosophy of Six Sigma is based on continually improving processes and reducing defects. For improvement and process control 6 Sigma applies a set of different tools of quality. Process control can be carried out on the basis of qualitative and quantitative indicators. Each organization can apply its own set of tools in order to achieve the best results.
It should be noted that all of the project management methodologies are aimed at minimizing risks and increasing profits of the organization. These techniques protect the organization from challenges invoked by external and internal environment. That is why all of the successful organizations spend time and money to implement these technologies.