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3 Effective Approaches to Manage IT Projects

Managing IT projects requires a slightly different set of skills and approaches. What works in traditional projects may not be effective in managing IT projects. The project managers can implement many different approaches to manage the project. 

Whichever approach is taken, the goal of the project manager should be to reduce costs and ensure quality of project deliverables.  Here we will look at three effective approaches to managing IT projects. 

1. Iterative Approach

In the iterative approach to project management, the activity duration and cost estimates are defined during the initial stage of the project. The client is delivered small amounts of functionality at regular periods. The cost and time estimates are adjusted as the project progresses.

The benefit of this approach is that it allows business and technology changes to be incorporated easily. Plus, user feedback provided at different stages proves invaluable in ensuring project success. 

2. Adaptive Approach

Another effective project management approach is carrying on the project with short bursts of planning and execution. This approach is ideal in managing large IT projects. The planning and execution are carried out in stages. Examples of adaptive approaches include scrum and agile project management techniques.

3. Predictive Approach

The predictive approach to project management is considered a traditional approach for managing IT projects. The manager defines the scope, schedule, and estimated costs before the execution phase. The phases of the project are defined as each phase achieving a specific type of work. The phases are completed in a specific order that is established according to the time and cost constraints. The type of approach is also known as the ‘waterfall’ approach since the project flows down different phases.  However, it remains a proven and effective method of managing IT projects. 

The above three approaches are effective in managing IT projects. The common thing in the above approaches is that the project is completed in stages.  The project manager, customer requirements, and the strategic requirements of the project will determine the specific approach that is utilized by the project manager in managing the IT project.

Conclusion

Adopting one of the above-mentioned approaches can help in reducing the risk of budget overruns, costly reworks, and not meeting project deadlines. The process of managing IT projects moves through the different process including planning, executing, and controlling. During each of these processes, the main goal of the IT project manager should be to ensure efficient utilization of resources and quickly adjust to the changing demands of the project. In this respect, online work management software will prove invaluable. 

Online team management software provides flexibility in managing diverse teams. The application can be used to collaborate with different personnel located in different locations. It allows the team members to connect and collaborate remotely, and update the status of the tasks. This will result in a more effective group effort in achieving project deliverables.