How to create A Project Methodology
If you want to build a project methodology from the ground level up, then take these 3 steps to do it:
Step 1: Identify your Needs
The first step is to define your requirements for a project methodology, by answering these questions:
The first step is to define your requirements for a project methodology, by answering these questions:
- Which methodology do you currently use, if any?
- What types and sizes of projects do you usually manage?
- How many projects do you run in parallel at the same time?
- Which projects were successful and why?
- Which methodologies were used for which projects?
- Are any project management standards followed?
- What types of project documentation do you have?
- What are the any common problem areas with your projects?
- How would a new methodology fix these problems?
Now that you know what the common problems are and how your new methodology will address them, you're ready to list your requirements. Here are some examples:
- Specific. It must provide us with these processes...
- Flexible. It must help us manage these types of projects...
- Consistent. It must help us to achieve these results...
- Comprehensive. It must cover these lifecycle activities...
- Toolset. It must include these templates and forms...
Step 2: Design the Solution
Then design your methodology to meet these requirements. Your design will list each of the components that the new methodology will include. Here are some examples:
Then design your methodology to meet these requirements. Your design will list each of the components that the new methodology will include. Here are some examples:
- Phases. List each of the phases to be included.
- Activities. Identify the activities included per phase.
- Tasks. Specify the tasks included per activity.
- Processes. List the project processes to be added.
- Templates. Create a list of the templates to be included.
Step 3: Create Your Methodology
Now that you know which components need to be created, the next step is to physically construct them.
Now that you know which components need to be created, the next step is to physically construct them.
Create the Methodology Framework
First, create your methodology framework by documenting the "Project Management Life Cycle". To create your own life cycle, list each of the phases, activities and tasks (identified in Step 2) and sequence them accordingly.
First, create your methodology framework by documenting the "Project Management Life Cycle". To create your own life cycle, list each of the phases, activities and tasks (identified in Step 2) and sequence them accordingly.
Populate your Methodology
The next step is to populate your methodology by describing how each phase, activity and task will be carried out and in which order. You will also need to describe the roles and responsibilities carrying out each task, as well as the process needed to monitor and control the project.
The next step is to populate your methodology by describing how each phase, activity and task will be carried out and in which order. You will also need to describe the roles and responsibilities carrying out each task, as well as the process needed to monitor and control the project.
Add Methodology Tools
Now that you have created your methodology, the final step is to add a suite of templates to it. Templates will help you implement each of the steps in your methodology so that you can save time as you carry out your project.
Now that you have created your methodology, the final step is to add a suite of templates to it. Templates will help you implement each of the steps in your methodology so that you can save time as you carry out your project.
- Uday Mahajan
