How do you compare project management methods?

1 Project characteristics

The first factor to compare is the characteristics of your project, such as its size, duration, budget, objectives, deliverables, and stakeholders. Different methods have different strengths and weaknesses for different types of projects. For example, traditional methods like waterfall or PRINCE2 are more suitable for large, long-term, and well-defined projects that require strict control and documentation. Agile methods like Scrum or Kanban are more suitable for small, short-term, and dynamic projects that require flexibility and collaboration. Hybrid methods like PMBOK or PRiSM combine elements of both traditional and agile methods to balance structure and adaptability.

2 Team preferences

The second factor to compare is the preferences of your team, such as their skills, experience, roles, and communication styles. Different methods have different implications for how your team works together, how they share information, and how they resolve conflicts. For example, traditional methods tend to assign clear roles and responsibilities, follow a linear sequence of phases, and rely on formal documentation and reporting. Agile methods tend to empower self-organizing teams, follow an iterative cycle of feedback and improvement, and rely on informal communication and visual aids. Hybrid methods tend to mix and match these aspects depending on the project context and team preferences.

3 Organizational culture

The third factor to compare is the culture of your organization, such as its values, norms, and expectations. Different methods have different alignment and compatibility with your organization's vision, mission, and strategy. For example, traditional methods tend to align with hierarchical, bureaucratic, and risk-averse organizations that value stability, consistency, and compliance. Agile methods tend to align with flat, innovative, and customer-centric organizations that value change, creativity, and satisfaction. Hybrid methods tend to align with diverse, flexible, and goal-oriented organizations that value integration, optimization, and performance.

4 Stakeholder expectations

The fourth factor to compare is the expectations of your stakeholders, such as your clients, sponsors, users, and beneficiaries. Different methods have different ways of engaging, managing, and satisfying your stakeholders. For example, traditional methods tend to involve stakeholders at the beginning and end of the project, define clear scope and requirements, and deliver a final product or service. Agile methods tend to involve stakeholders throughout the project, embrace changing scope and requirements, and deliver incremental value and functionality. Hybrid methods tend to involve stakeholders as needed, negotiate scope and requirements, and deliver a combination of outputs and outcomes.

5 Method benefits and challenges

The fifth factor to compare is the benefits and challenges of each method, such as their advantages, disadvantages, and trade-offs. Different methods have different impacts on the quality, efficiency, and effectiveness of your project. For example, traditional methods tend to ensure high quality standards, clear accountability, and comprehensive documentation. However, they also tend to be rigid, slow, and costly. Agile methods tend to ensure high customer satisfaction, fast delivery, and continuous improvement. However, they also tend to be chaotic, unpredictable, and incomplete. Hybrid methods tend to ensure a balance of quality and speed, control and flexibility, and structure and innovation. However, they also tend to be complex, inconsistent, and ambiguous.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?