In today's scenario, software projects have become more complex and volatile. As the projects change rapidly, it becomes difficult to address the challenges that arise during the project duration (total time taken by the project from start to end). This is where Extreme Project Management (XPM) methodology is applied.
We will go into detail about Extreme Project Management in this blog. We will discuss the steps involved in XPM and compare it with the traditional management methods. We will also look at some of its advantages over other methods. But first, let us learn more about XPM.
What is Extreme Project Management (XPM)?
Extreme Project Management (XPM) is a type of project management technique applied when the projects we are dealing with are complex and rapidly changing. XPM is based on working in multiple short cycles on the project. These cycles are short periods of time after which the progress of a project is tracked and analyzed.
XPM is a highly adaptive approach to managing projects. The traditional project planning methods include up-front planning, set time limits, and a defined execution path. On the other hand, XPM evolves as the project progresses and new issues are encountered. This allows the project to be more flexible and adapt quickly through its lifecycle.
Now the question arises as to when we should use XPM instead of other methods. There are a few scenarios when using XPM is a good choice.
These were some of the scenarios in which it is better to use the Extreme Project Management methodology. In the next section we will see the steps involved in Extreme Project Management.
Steps involved in Extreme Project Management
Extreme Project Management has a set of steps that ensure the adaptability of the project as it progresses. The following steps provide the general structure of any XPM project.
Defining the Project
The first step in project management is to define the key objective and primary goals of the project. We can break the project into smaller manageable parts and distribute them among the teams.
Engage the Team and the Stakeholders
After developing the project plan, we should communicate with the team and the stakeholders and discuss the requirements and the goals of the project. This ensures that all the people involved are on the same page.
Develop a basic Project Plan
The next step is to develop a high-level project plan and get a general outline of how the project will continue. It should also include the goals and objectives that the project is expected to meet.
Distribute the Project and Perform
The next step is the execution of the project. We distribute the project among multiple teams and micromanage it. Distributing the project into multiple smaller projects makes it easier to manage.
Monitor the Progress
As the project evolves, the needs of the projects may change. We should consult the stakeholders and monitor the progress of the project with them to gather feedback.
Modify the Project Plan
With the gathered feedback, we should then modify our original project plan and start the next cycle of the project.
These steps are repeated continuously until all the expected goals and requirements are met.
Difference between Extreme and Traditional Management
In this section, we will discuss the difference between Extreme and Traditional project management methodologies. The main difference between XPM and the traditional methods is shown below in a tabular manner.
Extreme Project Management (XPM)
Traditional Project Management
This methodology has adaptive plans throughout the project lifecycle.
In this type of project management, the plan is developed upfront.
In this methodology, the project has multiple interactions.
In this methodology, the project has a single iteration.
XPM is designed to be more adaptive and changing.
Traditional project Management is designed to be more rigid.
In this methodology, the project is broken down into smaller sub-projects.
In this methodology, the project is seen as a whole unit.
It is generally suited for frequently changing large-scale projects.
It is suited for small-scale projects with less changing requirements.
In this methodology, communication between teams is more frequent.
In this methodology, communication between teams is less frequent.
Advantages of Extreme Project Management (XPM)
So now that we have looked at all the aspects of Extreme Project Management, we will also look at some of the disadvantages of Extreme Project Management (XPM).
Flexibility & Adaptability - XPM has a more flexible and adaptable approach as compared to other methodologies. This makes it a better choice for projects with rapidly changing requirements.
More Project Control - XPM requires continuous monitoring and feedback, which leads to increased control over the project.
Better Communication - XPM focuses on increased communication between the stakeholders and the development team. This makes sure that all the people involved are on the same page.
Better Risk Analysis - Since XPM has continuous assessments, the risk is calculated at each stage of the project. This helps in better estimation of the overall risk included.
Time Efficient - In XPM, the project is distributed into several smaller sub-parts. We can work on these sub-projects simultaneously and save time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some real-life examples of Extreme Project Management (XPM)?
Construction Projects are one of the best examples of Extreme Project Management (XPM). These types of projects face uncertainties with uncontrollable factors like weather conditions, material availability, availability of workers, etc. Hence we require continuous adaptation to meet our goals.
What are some challenges to overcome in Extreme Project Management (XPM)?
Some of the main challenges involved in Extreme Project Management (XPM) include high uncertainty, good communication, maintaining the deadline, rapid change in project requirements,etc. In order to successfully complete the project, these challenges must be tackled smartly.
Is Extreme Project Management (XPM) suitable for small-scale projects?
Generally, Extreme Project Management is applied to large-scale projects to break them down into small projects which are easy to manage. However, we can also apply XPM to small-scale projects to break them into smaller parts.
Conclusion
In this article, we discussed Extreme Project Management in detail. We discussed the steps involved in Extreme Project Management and compared them with traditional methods of project management. In the end, we concluded by discussing some frequently asked questions.
So now that you have learned about Extreme Project Management, you can refer to similar articles.
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