Traditional Project Management [Everything You Need to Know] (2024)

FAQs

What is typical of traditional project management? ›

What is traditional project management? Traditional project management is a step-by-step predictive approach to project management—also called the Waterfall methodology—in which you break down and plan an entire project before launching it. Processes in the requirements stage help you predict and manage risks.

Traditional project managers focus on metrics like time, budget, and scope. Modern PM: Modern project managers also consider additional factors like customer satisfaction, team morale, and innovation. Remember, these are generalizations and there will always be exceptions.

Traditional project management (Waterfall Methodology) is a linear approach where processes occur in a predictable sequence. In this approach, the project follows a preplanned set of stages and assumes that the requirements remain fixed while the budget and project timeline can be changed.

Traditional management approaches are hierarchical, with a transparent chain of command and well-defined roles and responsibilities. The focus is on efficiency and control, with managers making decisions and directing employees to carry out tasks.

Respect, trust and teamwork are necessary ingredients to create successful projects and lasting results.

The traditional PMBOK approach offers structured project management principles and processes, providing a comprehensive framework for initiating, planning, executing, monitoring, controlling, and closing projects.

Change Management and Risk Mitigation

Agile PMO has built-in change management processes and encourages risk identification and mitigation throughout the project. Traditional PMO, with its comprehensive upfront planning, places greater emphasis on change control and risk management before project execution.

What is the difference between traditional project management and Scrum? ›

Traditional project management follows a linear, sequential process, while Scrum is iterative and adaptive. In traditional management, requirements are defined at the beginning, with little room for change. Scrum, on the other hand, embraces changing requirements through regular sprints and continuous feedback.

Traditional project management faces several challenges in business. These challenges include communication, control, competence, culture, and complexity . Small businesses, in particular, struggle with implementing project management due to various difficulties .

Traditional project management focuses on planning and predictability. Focusing on following a strict plan and meeting project requirements. Permits an interactive and collaborative approach between the development team and the customer.

Traditional project management – Waterfall method

The waterfall system is the most traditional method for managing a project, with team members working in a linear fashion. Unlike more flexible methodologies such as Agile, Waterfall does not allow going back and forth in different project phases.

Traditional management is about control, rules, regulations, boundaries and the source of all new business and ways of working. Traditional managers can be blind to work and employment issues and slow to react to change.

Traditional project management puts emphasis on linear processes, documentation, upfront planning, and prioritization. There are tools and techniques defined by the standard methodology PMBOK® which are followed by project managers to reach the desired results on time and within budget.

Every project usually has a budget and a time frame. Project management uses a type of triage process to keep everything moving smoothly, on time, and on budget. That means when the planned time frame is coming to an end, the project manager may keep all the team members working on the project to finish on schedule.

In a traditional management approach, managers operate in a hierarchical setting, overseeing their team members' tasks. They assume workers need direct supervision, maintaining organizational status quo and achieving goals through a system of rewards and punishments.