Types of Project Management: When Should You Use Them?

The Types of Project Management can greatly depend on methodologies, industry, and the project managers themselves. Hence, project management is a critical component of any successful endeavor. It ensures that tasks are completed efficiently, within budget, and on time.

Therefore, in this blog we will discuss what is project management and various types of project management and when to use them. READ ON!

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What is Project Management?

Project management involves applying processes, methods, skills, and knowledge to meet project goals within set parameters. It has defined outcomes within a fixed timeline and budget.

Types of Project Management 

Here are the list of most popular Types of Project Management:

1. Waterfall 
2. Agile
3. Scrum
4. Lean
5. Kanban
6. Six Sigma
7. PRINCE2

Waterfall Project Management:

This traditional approach divides the project into sequential phases, ensuring that each must be completed before the next begins. It works well for projects with clear, unchanging requirements.

When to Use:

The Waterfall approach is used in projects with high standards and minimal predicted change. Therefore, it is ideal for projects like house construction, where consecutive, non-overlapping stages assure predictability while following strict timetables, budgets, and rules.

Agile Project Management:

Agile project management is an ongoing and iterative process that prioritizes customer feedback, cooperation, and flexibility. It works well for projects whose specifications may change.

When to Use:

Agile works well in fields that are prone to frequent change or in projects where the details are constantly changing. In addition, it helps with the launch of new products by resolving unforeseen problems as the project moves forward.

Scrum Project Management:

Scrum is an Agile project management method, employs a small team led by a Scrum master who clears obstacles to facilitate work. It enables swift development and testing, especially in small teams.

When to Use:

Scrum is a powerful methodology for projects that need to handle change and be flexible. Similar to Agile, it’s frequently used in fields where uncertainty and change are constants.

Lean Project Management:

Lean project management is a methodology focused on efficiency, waste reduction, and continuous improvement. It aims to streamline processes, enhance value delivery, and eliminate non-value-adding activities in project execution.

When to Use:

Lean project management is best applied in scenarios where efficiency, waste reduction, and continuous improvement are essential, particularly in projects that require resource optimization and simplifying processes.

Kanban Project Management:

Kanban is a method for visualizing project workflows. It represents project tasks as cards organized into columns on either a physical or digital board for effective tracking and management.

When to Use:

Kanban project management is best suited for tasks with variable demand and workflows that require visual tracking. Therefore, it excels in scenarios requiring flexibility, such as software development and support operations.

Six Sigma Project Management:

Six Sigma centers on customer needs, waste reduction, and ongoing process enhancement to ensure the delivery of high-quality projects like lean project management.

It follows the DMAIC framework:

• Define the project’s scope and objectives
• Measure relevant data
• Analyze to identify root causes of issues
• Improve processes
• Control by implementing and sustaining solutions

When to Use:

Six Sigma is ideal for projects demanding precise data analysis, process optimization, and consistent quality. Therefore, It is particularly useful in manufacturing, healthcare, and service industries striving for defect reduction and efficiency.

PRINCE2 Project Management:

Project in Controlled Environments, or PRINCE2, is an organized, process-driven technique focusing on the methodical progress through predetermined project stages. It includes essential project management principles such as defining scope and budget, making it beginner-friendly.

When to Use:

PRINCE2 is an excellent choice for organizations seeking a standardized project management approach with well-defined roles and responsibilities. It’s particularly useful for breaking down large projects into manageable work packages.

Types of Project Management in Various Industries

Here are some types of project management commonly found in different industries:

S. No.	Types of Project Management	Roles
1.	Construction Project Management	Focuses on building projects like houses and office buildings, ensuring quality and safety
2.	IT Project Management	Manages software development, network infrastructure, and cybersecurity projects
3.	Healthcare	In healthcare, project managers oversee hospital and facility projects, requiring strong knowledge of healthcare laws
4.	Marketing	Plans and executes marketing campaigns and brand strategies
5.	Manufacturing	Optimizes production processes and product quality
6.	Energy	Overseas power plant construction and renewable energy projects
7.	Hospitality	In the hospitality industry, project management is crucial for hotel construction, event planning, and resort development
8.	Environment	Environment project includes task like conservation efforts, pollution control, and renewable energy project

Types of Project Manager

In a 2017 Harvard Business Review report, Project Manager personalities were categorized into four distinct types such as:

1. Executor: An executor supports the company’s current growth strategy and succeeds as a reliable project leader.

2. Prophet: Although a prophet may not completely follow the company’s present plan, they have long-term vision and excel at finding new development prospects.

3. Expert: An expert is an analytical professional who bases decisions on facts and advice, making reliable, informed business choices, even exploring opportunities beyond current strategies.

4. Gambler: The gambler stays at the present method, but due to data restrictions, they may fail to expect venture success. They might discover overlooked growth opportunities through risky bets.

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Frequently Asked Questions