Common Project Management Techniques

Microsoft Project offers advanced scheduling capabilities, critical path analysis, and resource management features. It integrates with other Microsoft tools like Excel and SharePoint, allowing seamless data exchange. It involves systematically collecting and recording information about what worked well, what didn’t, and the key takeaways from the project.

Just like any map or strategy, there is always more than one way to do things. Because of that, there are multiple project planning tools that can be applied to different projects. If you plan your project carefully and anticipate all the tasks and subtasks you may need to tackle before project 7 best practices for managing large it projects completion, you’ll be secured against scope creep. To organize and plan your workflow, you can use Trello, a traditional Kanban-based project management tool. This is a traditional project management technique that is one of the simplest and most appropriate for running projects.

Effective project management techniques to use

The Risk Management Matrix is a tool for effective risk communication, decision-making, and monitoring throughout the project lifecycle. Kanban is a Project Management methodology that visualizes and optimizes workflow to improve efficiency and productivity. Moreover, the project cost and timeline can be clearly defined once the project requirements are specified. In Kanban, every task is represented by a separate card within the columns. It helps you to closely monitor task progress, ensuring timely project execution.

• This hands-on project management technique uses bar charts to simplify and visualize a project’s scheduling and planning processes.
• It is similar to CPM in that it is good for large scale project planning.
• The chart typically consists of a timeline along the horizontal axis and a list of tasks or activities along the vertical axis.
• The technique involves identifying the activities that lie on the critical path.
• It is best suited for small software projects made up of a highly collaborative team or a project that requires frequent iteration.

WBS is a key project deliverable that defines a detailed cost or time estimate to help managers have a clear understanding that your estimate will exceed the intended budget or deadlines. The Waterfall methodology is sequential, which means one task has to be completed before the next starts in the pipeline. I have reduced the time needed to report my project time which has allowed me to spend more time working on project tasks vs. administration. Cost estimation techniques rely on accurate and detailed project information, such as the scope, resource requirements, and project constraints.

Effortlessly track project timelines and budgets

It offers various views, including Gantt, board, and timeline, to visualize project data effectively. Zoho Projects supports various project methodologies, including Agile and Waterfall project methodology, allowing teams to customize their workflows accordingly. It integrates with other Zoho applications, such as Zoho CRM and Zoho Docs, to provide a holistic project management experience. Slack is a widely used project management tool for communication and collaboration. It provides a centralized platform for team messaging, file sharing, and integration with various project management and productivity tools. Clockify provides visual insights into time allocation, billable hours, and project progress.

The probability axis measures the likelihood or chance of a risk event occurring, while the impact axis evaluates the potential consequences or severity of the risk on project objectives. While some techniques offer an excellent graphical representation of project workflow, others might offer a solid project execution path. It incorporates changes and feedback at each stage of project execution, demanding continuous improvement proactively.

In a Waterfall project, each phase must be completed in its entirety before the next phase can begin. The agile project management methodology came from a growing dissatisfaction with the linear approach of traditional project management methodologies. The 6Ps in project management refer to the six key elements that must be considered when planning a project. By considering these elements carefully, project managers can ensure that projects are well-planned, well-executed, and meet the needs of stakeholders. They also help project managers to track progress and identify potential issues or roadblocks that could impact the project’s success. Overall, a well-designed project plan strategy is critical to the success of any project.

Great project managers clear the path for their teams, ensuring they can perform their best work without hindrance. To excel, PMs must align with every team member, anticipate risks, and eliminate roadblocks. As project managers gain experience, they become more adept at handling complex stakeholders and navigating uncertain projects.

In the visual representation below, you can see all four phases of the project development in RUP. You can also notice that some phases (Elaboration, Construction, and Transition) have more iterations that focus on producing technical deliverables to achieve each phase goal. The whole process must be carefully controlled and monitored at all times to avoid issues and loss of focus.

Extreme Programming (XP) was first established in the 1990s by Kent Beck who implemented this technique in the work on the C3 payroll project. Some development disciplines are more important than others, so they take up more time than others. Each stage must be carefully reviewed and approved to be able to move forward. The Project Board must be informed at strategic points of the project, and they are the ones who make a final decision on whether to stop or continue to the next stage.