The Different Project Management Methodologies

Project management is an increasingly popular career option and a solid path for professionals in a variety of fields. If you are interested in starting a career in project management, you may wonder about the different project management methodologies used in various industries.

It's difficult to differentiate the main project management methodologies from each other, especially when you are starting out as an aspiring project manager. Want to find out how to become a Project Manager? Check out our handy guide.

This article aims to identify which project management methodologies suit your career goals best and discuss the benefits of each methodology. 

Explore our top Project Management Courses

Introduction to project management

Project management is a process, or series of methodologies developed to maximise productivity and reduce inefficiency in the running of business projects. 

Teams working on project management use various methods to execute their project plan effectively, achieving their goals while minimising inefficiency and sticking to the allotted budget wherever possible. Depending on the project management methodology used, specific success criteria will assess whether the project has been a success. 

The different project management methodologies

Here at e-Careers, we offer some of the industry’s most recognised qualifications, to help you gain the skills, knowledge, and certifications required to embark on a career in this industry or to help you advance your current career prospects through additional certifications.  

These qualifications include: 

PRINCE2® - Arguably the world’s most well-known process-based method for managing projects effectively. There are over one million PRINCE2-certified professionals across 150 countries worldwide.

One major advantage of PRINCE2 is that it is completely scalable, meaning that we can easily customise the process to work for a variety of projects in different industries. 

If you are looking to embark on a career that surrounds the PRINCE2 methodologies, we suggest you enrol on our PRINCE2 Foundation & Practitioner training course. 

AgilePM® - Introduced in 2010, AgilePM has become the world’s leading method for Agile project management. 

The idea behind AgilePM is that iterative (or agile) cycles help to move the team towards the successful outcome of the project. Agile is principally used within engineering, IT, and the development of new products and services.

Our Agile Project Management Foundation & Practitioner course will show you the key concepts of the framework and how they can apply to real-world projects to maximise positive outcomes and efficiency.

CAPM® - Gaining your CAPM certificate shows potential employers that you can achieve project management success regardless of the size and scale of the project. 

We offer a Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) training course, which is the ideal choice for anyone interested in learning the methods taught on the PMP certificate course but without the pre-requisite experience required to enrol onto the PMP training course.   

A CAPM certificate will help make you stand out to potential employers, as it will show your understanding of the essential knowledge, terminology, and processes required for successful project management. 

PMP® - The Project Management Institute (PMI) provides this highly sought-after certificate, and it's the ideal certificate to show your knowledge, skills, and experience in project management, proving your competency in leading projects.

A PMP qualification is useful in many industries and will stand you in good stead as you progress your career in project management. Our Project Management Professional (PMP) - Virtual Classroom course can help you to work towards becoming a licenced Project Manager. 

ITIL® - A project management framework used as a best practice method for delivering IT services. ITIL is often described as a systematic approach that is helpful for strengthening customer relationships while managing risk. Like other project management frameworks, ITIL allows for scale and change. 

We provide a range of ITIL courses that are ideal for starting your journey in IT Project Management. 

Lean Six Sigma – A versatile project management framework that aims to optimise performance by reducing waste wherever possible. Lean Six Sigma is used in a wide variety of areas including construction, agriculture, manufacturing, and design. 

Lean Six Sigma combines the methods of Lean and Six Sigma into one effective framework that can dramatically improve project operations. Lean Six Sigma is a team-oriented approach that offers proven results when applied correctly.

Many of our Lean Six Sigma courses are taught by skilled project management professionals who can provide real-life examples of the benefits of Lean Six Sigma as a project management methodology. 

How to choose the right methodology for your project?    

When evaluating the right project management methodology for your organisation, there are a few key factors to remember. These include your company’s values and the project’s goals and objectives, as well as the level of risk involved in the project.

While many project management methodologies are highly scalable, the size of the projects and the costs involved may also affect which methodology will be most appropriate. It is also useful to evaluate the level of flexibility required, as some methodologies are more suited to flexibility than others.

Many Project Managers recommend you look at the end goal of a project and work backwards to find out which system will be most beneficial to the successful completion of the project. 

Conclusion

In summary, anyone considering starting a career in project management should familiarise themselves with the range of project management methodologies that are out there before deciding about which certification to pursue. 

If you’re still unsure which Project Management Qualification is best for you, why not join us on our next ‘Demystifying Project Management Qualifications’ webinar with expert Trainer Shane Nithsdale? It’s free and very detailed.

Call us on +44 (0) 20 3198 7700 to speak to one of our Career Consultants today, to discuss your career goals or get started.