A Brief Introduction to Hybrid Project Management

Hybrid Project Management may sound unfamiliar or complex, but it’s even simpler. Projects managers often use this approach with their teams in order to finish the project with a skillful and quality outcome. 

The hybrid approach in project management merges several management approaches whether agile or traditional into one methodology.

One of the best examples of hybrid project management is a long-established IT project which is needed to advance software and expand the infrastructure.

The aspects of a waterfall and agile hybrid project management are utilized for an extensive period of planning products.

Let us dive into a brief discussion of the hybrid approach to project management in this article.

Hybrid Project Management Methodologies

Hybrid Project Management is the method where the prominent projects phases are outlined using the waterfall approach, while the tasks in the execution phase are through the agile approach. This is why the term 'hybrid' is incorporated into the project concept as a hybrid project management methodology. 

Simply put, it is a combination of two or more definite project management methodologies getting combined into a unique methodology.

To think of it, what are the different hybrid project management methodologies? 

The options of favored project management methods in use are Agile project management, Critical path method (CPM), Outcome mapping, PRINCE2, Six Sigma, and Waterfall project management. Theoretically, hybrid project management is taking any traditional methodology and merging it with other options. Usually, the common context taken out of this concept mainly refers to hybrid agile project management or a hybrid agile methodology. Agile then merges with the fixed process of Waterfall project management in a consecutive arrangement.

Suggested read: Guide To Agile Project Management 2024

Benefits of Hybrid Project Management

The hybrid methodology in project management can do the work solely instead of having to use various methods. Why not apply the advantage?

A few benefits involve;

- The project management acquires the greatest of all the different methodologies

- It allows us to support the already taken measures and help to track the shortcomings and possible pitfalls.

- This helps in decision-making on the deliverables needed for a project at the prior phases of the project lifecycle.

- Aids to keep a clear view of the project progress as per the planned project scope.

- It enables the plan of the project to be divided into minor sections within the project. This allows the clients, team, and project managers to keep up with the project objectives.

- Testers can use detailed documentation to develop test scripts with coding at the same time.

-  With the use of the waterfall technique, transparency in the role, responsibilities, plan for the project to be carried out, and chart from the beginning to the finish. In this way, the work is taken as per the planning order with the estimated time, expected outcome, and so on.

- On the other hand, agile methodology gives considerable flexibility and adaptability that help to prepare and cope with the changes required in a project. The scope gets more focused which is an advantage to dealing with varying project types.

-  A hybrid approach that takes the best parts of both the process of agile and waterfall and combines them to achieve the project needs within time.

Challenges of Hybrid Project Management

We can expect a few of the following challenges while applying for the project management hybrid approach:

Weak communication

It sounds easy to communicate. But, it's definitely not simple when dynamic approaches take into the business picture. The gap in communication can alter or make a lot of differences for you and your team. This might go with the increased project risk, missing details, and hard decision-making if there is no effective and clear round of communication.

Another possible issue that might pop out is the clashing of unalike ideas and disagreements with future strategies. This can also affect the segregation of roles and responsibilities which eventually ends up in conflicts. As a result, a hybrid team must mandate clear communication and keep the guidelines to follow for effective information updates and discussion.

Staying easy with the timelines

There is zero prediction of what the changes might even if it's prior planned. However, by getting ready for any changes in the project phases is the ultimate key. Adapt a practice to save enough time to ensure it plays a domino effect in reviewing and maintaining quality. 

Let us take an example; one part of the team resources focuses on new development while the other team might have missed the changes occurring within the phases. So, it's essential to access the hybrid teams with timelines, guidelines, and blueprints during the stages of alteration.

Unnoticed relevant information

In between the project phases, implementing the hybrid measures is not sufficient for the organization's success. The greater solution is to put guidelines and standard points to adhere to and customize as per the necessities. 

Not applying to technological alternatives

There is plenty of project management software to simplify and make the work with hybrid techniques even a lot simpler. 

To take no notice of useful tools and applications is a closed opportunity for greater benefits.

How and When to Use Hybrid Project Management?

Applying the hybrid project management approach depends on the conditions applicable to the project phase. For instance; for complex designs; the PMs can outline and define the needs using the waterfall process and design, test and develop using the agile process.

Based on your work aspects, the hybrid project management approach is fitted to large and complex projects that are necessary to:

- disclose the latest functionality regularly

- modify to unobvious needs and changes

- reach within the set timelines

- manages the customer's needs in the project

You can utilize the hybrid approaches by having all the below outlooks and situations in check:

- That it is doable to describe top-level project phases and their goals,

- There is flexibility in the working process,

- Have an experienced resource in Agile,

- The teams have hands-on knowledge and experience in the Agile working method and many other factors.

Hybrid Project Management Examples

Let us consider that a long-established project is required to modify, define, and adapt to the latest software and improve its infrastructure.

The project managers can use the scrum methodology to modify the software but it's not applicable to the infrastructure portion. And for this situation, the standard waterfall technique takes care of the section of dependencies on infrastructure. Simply put, this gives an idea of how the combination of two approaches can be converted into one approach to solving it. This can be taken as one of the best hybrid project management example. Likewise, a hybrid approach is very effective for complex design and development, manufacturing, construction,  and others.

Conclusion

Hybrid project management basically brings forth the method that is suitable to the aspects, conditions, and needs of your project at its best. Not only does it massively define the project features at their best but manages the processes in the project's flow by having an experienced team working on it. What is even best is the pros of the agile and waterfall that will allow us to make the changes and strengthen the potential pitfalls.

If you are interested in learning about concepts and elevating your career in the field of project management to become an expert, enroll in Sprintzeal’s PMP Certification Training and get certified by PMI - Project Management Institute.

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