Summary

The major project management methods are still valid today. Not every method is suitable for every project or project team. The three project management methods are briefly outlined here and general trends are presented.

Project management method: classic, agile or hybrid?

When I come to a project where the project staff are not very experienced in dealing with projects and I ask them whether they would like to work classically, agilely or hybridly, I am met with questioning faces or told ‘Anything but agile!’ or ‘No way with the endless waterfall project plans,’ or similar. By asking questions and observing the project team and other external factors, the answer often comes naturally.

But I understand the uncertainties involved in choosing the right method. It only becomes difficult when the method is prescribed from somewhere else but does not suit the project team. The important question is: Which method is best suited to my project? Let's take a look at the three main methods and how they are often used in practice.

Classic project management: phases and plan

Classic project management, often referred to as the traditional or waterfall model, is based on a strict, linear sequence of phases. Like a waterfall flowing from top to bottom, the individual project steps must be completed one after the other. The most important features are:

Detailed planning. The first step is comprehensive planning, in which all goals, milestones, resources and budgets are precisely defined.

Clear distribution of roles. Each team member has a fixed role and clearly defined tasks.

Strict documentation. All processes and decisions are thoroughly documented.

Low flexibility. Changes during the course of the project are often time-consuming and costly, as they can disrupt the entire plan.

It is particularly well suited to projects with clearly defined requirements and a stable environment where unexpected changes are unlikely. A typical example is construction projects, where the individual phases (land acquisition, foundations, shell construction, interior work) build logically on each other.

A 2020 study by the Project Management Institute (PMI) shows that despite the rise of agile methods, the classic approach remains the preferred method in many industries, such as construction and manufacturing.

Agile project management: flexibility and collaboration

In contrast to the rigid waterfall model, agile project management stands for flexibility and rapid adaptability. The agile movement emerged in the early 2000s when the Agile Manifesto was published. It emphasises collaboration, responsiveness to change and working software (or products). The key features are:

Iterative development. The project is divided into small, manageable sections – known as iterations or sprints.

Customer focus. The customer is actively involved in the development process to provide feedback and ensure that the end product meets their needs.

Self-organising teams. Teams often organise themselves and decide together how best to solve the tasks at hand.

Adaptability. Changes are not only allowed but are seen as an opportunity for improvement.

The best-known agile methods are Scrum and Kanban. Scrum uses short sprints to deliver working product increments at regular intervals. Kanban, on the other hand, visualises the workflow on a board and helps to identify and eliminate bottlenecks. Agile methods are ideal for projects in dynamic environments, such as software development or product development, where requirements can change quickly.

According to Digital.ai's ‘15th State of Agile Report,’ over 80% of companies surveyed in 2021 said they use agile methods, with Scrum being the most widely used method.

Hybrid project management: the best of both worlds

Many companies find that neither the rigid classic nor the purely agile method is perfect for their projects. The solution often lies in a hybrid approach. This combines elements of classic and agile project management to leverage the advantages of both worlds.

A hybrid model could look like this (example):

Classic planning phase. At the beginning of the project, detailed, classic planning is carried out to define the rough framework, milestones and budget.

Agile execution. The actual development or implementation phase is then carried out in an agile manner, in short sprints. This allows changes to be implemented quickly and customer feedback to be integrated without jeopardising the overall schedule.

This approach is particularly useful for projects that require a certain degree of predictability (e.g. due to high regulation or external dependencies) but also require a high degree of adaptability. An example would be the development of new hardware, where production planning is carried out in the traditional manner, but software development for the hardware is implemented in an agile manner.

A 2022 survey by Gartner found that more than 70% of companies already use hybrid approaches in their project management or plan to do so in the next few years, underscoring the growing relevance of this method.

Trends in the use of different project management methods

Studies and surveys by organisations such as the Project Management Institute (PMI) and GPM (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Projektmanagement) provide insight into the trends. The key message is that the project management landscape is changing dramatically:

Agile methods are on the rise. Studies such as the ‘State of Agile Report’ show that agile approaches such as Scrum and Kanban have gained massively in importance in recent years, especially in IT and software development. Over 80% of companies say they use agile methods, often in combination with other approaches.

Hybrid approaches are gaining the upper hand. The strict separation between “classical” and ‘agile’ is no longer realistic in many organisations. Most projects use a hybrid form. Available studies suggest that hybrid methods are the fastest-growing category. Companies recognise that they need to combine the strengths of both worlds to be successful in dynamic environments. A 2022 survey by Gartner confirmed, for example, that over 70% of companies already use hybrid approaches or plan to do so.

Classic project management remains relevant. Although the proportion of pure waterfall projects is dwindling, the classic approach remains indispensable in certain industries. Classic methods continue to be used, especially in sectors such as construction, infrastructure and manufacturing, where requirements are clearly defined at the outset and changes involve considerable additional effort. Classic project management often also forms the basis for overarching planning in hybrid projects.

Quintessence

Choosing the right project management method depends heavily on the individual project requirements, the team and the organisational environment. The classic model offers structure and predictability, while the agile model stands for flexibility and adaptability. The hybrid approach represents a powerful bridge between these two worlds and makes it possible to combine the strengths of both methods. But the trend is clearly moving away from a dominant method towards a mix of methods. No matter which method you choose, understanding the respective principles is the first step towards successful project management.

Would you like to know more, are you looking for advice on your project or support for your project? Then please feel free to contact me.