Common Project Management Styles

Project management styles refer to project managers’ different approaches and techniques to plan, execute, and control projects. Several common project management styles are widely used in various industries and organizations.

Six Sigma

Six Sigma project management is rooted in the data-driven quality methodology used to improve business processes and reduce defects. Developed by Motorola in the 1980s, it has since been adopted by many other companies. The overall goal is to reduce defects and errors to achieve a quality level of, at most, 3.4 defects per million opportunities

Agile Project Management

An iterative project management approach that emphasizes flexibility and adaptability, agile project management involves breaking down a project into smaller, more manageable tasks and continuously monitoring and adjusting the project plan as needed. Agile project management is often used in software development but can be applied to most projects.

Scrum (a type of agile)

A type of agile methodology that emphasizes sequential and incremental development, scrum is a type of agile strategy that focuses on delivering value and quality to the customer. Scrum teams work in two to four weeks sprints and have daily stand-up meetings to track progress and identify any roadblocks.

Kanban (a type of agile)

A type of agile methodology that focuses on visualizing work and limiting work in progress, Kanban emphasizes continuous improvement and deliverables and encourages teams to prioritize tasks based on customer needs. Kanban boards are used to track workflow progress and provide transparency for team members and necessary stakeholders.

Waterfall Project Management

In a waterfall style of project management, each project phase is linear and must be completed before moving on to the next. The process involves a clear set of steps and a defined timeline for each phase. It is a more traditional method that is often used in industries such as manufacturing.

Critical Path Method (CPM)

The Critical Path Method is a project management technique that involves identifying the sequence of crucial tasks that directly affect the project duration. It involves a detailed analysis of tasks, durations, dependencies, and deadlines, to calculate the longest path of planned activities to the end of the project.

PRINCE2 (Projects in Controlled Environments, version 2)

Is a structured project management method that divides projects into manageable stages. It emphasizes starting, controlling, and closing projects in a consistent, standardized way, with a focus on product-based planning and business justification.

Outcome Mapping

Outcome Mapping is a methodology that focuses on the changes that occur in the behaviors, relationships, activities, or actions of people and organizations with whom a project interacts directly. Rather than focusing solely on deliverables, it emphasizes the journey (behavioral change) and the role of partnerships and contributions in achieving outcomes.

Lean project management

Lean project management derives from the Lean manufacturing philosophy, emphasizing the elimination of waste (be it time, resources, or effort) to deliver value to the customer more efficiently. It encourages continuous improvement, maximizing value, and minimizing waste, making it a flexible, iterative approach to project management.