Questions

1. Define the concept methodology.

2. List five shortcomings of a project methodology.

3. Apart from a project management methodology, what other methodologies would be considered relative to the project?

4. What do we mean by project management methodology and project framework?

5. What does the term project strategy mean? Is it the same as a business strategy?

6. How would you explain the benefits of adopting a project methodology to your client or organization?

7. Does the type of organizational structure affect the efficiency by which projects are managed through the methodology?

Answers

1. Methodology is a set of guidelines or principles that can be tailored and applied to a specific situation. In a project environment, it can be a list of things to do. This could be a specific approach, templates, forms, and even checklists used over the project life cycle.

Shortcomings of a methodology are:

Many of the project life cycle methodologies are abstract and high level.

There are insufficient narratives to support these methodologies.

They are not functional nor do they address any operational areas (i.e., QA, CM, testing).

Many of the methodologies simply ignore the industry standards.

Many methodologies are simply incomplete.

3. Other methodologies relative to a project methodology in an organization include (1) recruitment methodology, (2) development methodology, (3) support methodology, and (4) marketing methodology.

4. A project framework is more inclusive than methodology because it has templates, processes, project techniques, and training. Product management methodology is the process used to get from point A to point B.

5. Project strategy is specific and focused on the project to be executed and deployed; it is based on a specific set of objectives and project scope. Without a project strategy, it is unlikely that the project would be planned very well. A business strategy is more comprehensive from an organizational perspective, which focuses on embracing IT, marketing, sales, manufacturing, and HR and the ability to forge ahead of its competitors.

6. You should be able to convince clients that adopting a project management methodology is an effective technique used to guide projects through the design and deployment of a product or service. It provides an organized and consistent process for approaching a project, and it provides templates and checklists to project teams.

7. Yes, an organizational structure does play a key role in the manner in which projects are identified, ramped-up, executed, and managed to full conclusion. Certain structures, such as a matrix structure, which requires project managers to work across functional silos, are more complex. A simpler approach in which organizations create project teams, formed to drive home company strategy, results in a stronger project structure.

References

Fowler, Martin. The New Methodology. Available from www.martinfowler.com. Hamel, Gary. Leading the Revolution, HBS Press, 2000. p. 56.

Highsmith, Jim. Agile Software Development Ecosystems, Boston: Addison-Wesley, 2002. p. 22. Hurley, Brian. Ispeak, October 2002. Musk Industries, Raritan, NJ, 2002.

Michaelson, G. Sun Tzu, The Art of War for Managers, Adams Media, 2001. pp. 7, 14.

Musashi, M. (T. Cleary, Translator). The Book of Five Rings. Boston: Shambhala Publications, 2000.

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