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Management methodologies are vital tools for companies aiming to achieve their objectives and sustain continuous growth. They aim to enhance the effectiveness of a company’s projects and processes.
They also serve as administrative strategies employed by managers who gain a broader and more decisive vision of their actions and procedures.
This tool is applied by companies seeking to identify and rectify errors. It not only reduces costs but also enhances quality, improves customer satisfaction, and boosts financial results.
Furthermore, it provides clarity in communication and language, facilitating the understanding of functions and responsibilities. It encourages employees to work as a team to achieve specific goals.
However, given the extensive diversity of sectors and functions, which methodology fits best within your field of operation?
Each one has its specificities; get to know the management methodologies that are most commonly used today.
Agile
Agile is a project management approach that emphasizes flexibility and collaboration to deliver products and services that meet customer needs.
Particularly suitable for software development projects, especially when requirements can change rapidly, and close collaboration between developers and clients is essential.
However, among management methodologies, Agile is also widely used in industries such as marketing and design, where flexibility and responsiveness are of paramount importance.
In this methodology, projects are divided into small iterations called sprints, usually lasting two to four weeks.
During each sprint, a team of developers, testers, and other stakeholders work together to complete a set of predefined tasks. At the end of each sprint, the team presents a functional product or service to the client and gathers feedback to refine the next iteration.
By breaking projects into small manageable tasks and involving the client in the development process, Agile teams can provide products and services that better meet customer needs compared to traditional project management approaches.
Scrum
The Scrum methodology is highly flexible and can be adapted for different types of projects. It is widely used in the software development industry and has proven to be an effective approach to improving team efficiency, productivity, and work quality.
Scrum consists of three main roles:
- Product Owner: responsible for defining the project’s functionalities to be developed;
- Scrum Master: responsible for ensuring the proper execution of the process;
- Development Team: responsible for developing the project’s functionalities.
The method is based on iterative and incremental deliveries. This allows the development team to divide the project into parts for frequent deliveries, rather than waiting until the project is complete. This system is similar to the Agile method.
The process is divided into sprints, which are fixed-duration work cycles (usually 2 to 4 weeks) where the team focuses on developing a specific set of project functionalities.
Kanban
Kanban is a simple yet effective methodology for managing projects. Its goal is to optimize workflows and enhance team productivity.
A key characteristic of Kanban is a continuous improvement mindset. The team should regularly analyze the work process, and identify bottlenecks, and opportunities for optimization.
This methodology is characterized by the use of visual boards that represent the team’s workflow. Each activity is represented by a card, which is moved from one column to another as it progresses through the process.
This visual representation allows for a quick view of ongoing, delayed, and completed activities.
Moreover, Kanban employs the concept of Work in Progress (WIP) limits. This means the team can only work on a limited number of activities simultaneously, avoiding overburdening and procrastination.
With its visual approach and focus on continuous improvement, Kanban can help your team work more collaboratively and effectively, delivering consistently high-quality results.
PMBOK
The Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) is one of the widely-used management methodologies globally. Its practice describes the processes, practices, tools, and techniques necessary for successful project management.
PMBOK is divided into five process groups:
- Initiation: defines the project’s nature and feasibility;
- Planning: establishes project objectives, scope, budget, schedule, and required resources;
- Execution: manages and coordinates project activities to achieve objectives;
- Monitoring and Controlling: monitors and controls project progress, identifying variations from the original plan;
- Closing: finalizes the project, ensuring objectives are achieved, and resources are properly released.
In addition to process groups, PMBOK also describes knowledge areas in project management. These include integration, scope, schedule, cost, resources, communication, risks, and procurement management.
PMBOK is a crucial tool for project success, offering a comprehensive and detailed guide for its management.
Adopting this methodology can result in delivering the final product with high quality, within the expected timeframe and budget.
Performance Management (GPD)
Performance Management (GPD) aims to enhance organizational efficiency and effectiveness. It is a strategic management tool that helps define goals and measure team and employee performance.
Along with a systematic approach, it involves setting clear objectives and goals, establishing performance indicators, identifying responsibilities, and evaluating achieved results.
GPD allows organizations to monitor activity progress, identify areas needing improvement, and make data-driven decisions.
Among management methodologies, GPD is widely used in companies, public institutions, and nonprofit organizations.
It is also a powerful tool to improve project, team, and process management. It helps align organizational activities with strategy, ensuring efforts are focused on critical areas.
Which Management Methodology to Choose?
These are just a few of the most commonly used management methodologies today. Each has its specific characteristics and may be suitable for particular project types or companies.
Hence, managers should choose the most appropriate methodology for each situation, considering the objectives, resources, and limitations of the project or company in question.
Moreover, within the same company, it’s possible to adopt two or more management methodologies simultaneously.
A combination that enhances management methodologies is the use of technology, particularly Business Process Management (BPMS) tools.
Integrating BPMS with management methodologies leads to significantly more efficient and effective processes, yielding better outcomes. Additionally, this combination improves product and service quality and reduces errors and costs.
Creating coherent and well-structured activity flows organizes tasks, teams, and responsibilities. BPMS software provides information on all process stages, ensuring total control for managers.
Fusion Platform is a solution that simplifies process creation and management, organizing tasks to meet various company needs.
Get to know Fusion and learn how it amplifies the many benefits you already get from using management methodologies!
