Every project has a unique set of constraints that come up during each phase of the project lifecycle. There are very few Salesforce projects that are completed without any issues along the journey from kickoff to completion.
As a project manager at CRM Science, I constantly deal with all types of CRM project management challenges calmly and efficiently. That’s because I have the right project management tools for the right projects.
Some issues are resolved easily as part of day-to-day execution and others can have potential impact on the project’s overall success. As always, reach out to a Salesforce-recognized consulting partner for assistance with the most challenging and complex Salesforce projects.
In this blog, I’ll share best practices for choosing the most practical project management methodology for different types of Salesforce projects.
Selecting a Salesforce Project Management Methodology
I understand the uniqueness of each project and client, and I work with clients during the beginning stages of each project to build a Salesforce project roadmap that is tailored to the project’s specific requirements.
Selection of the right software development lifecycle (SDLC) methodology is one of the most important decisions project managers can make. Project teams must have all the right tools and standards to follow while managing Salesforce projects that call for distinct actions.
Executing a project without selecting a methodology, considering all the key constraints, will increase the risk of failure or rework that must be completed and impact both project time and cost. However, you can prevent possible setbacks by giving your project the right foundation in the form of a project management methodology.
Factors to consider when choosing a project management methodology
To decide on the correct methodology, I work with an array of success factors to map unique projects and identify the best project management methodology to ensure successful implementation.
These are the factors I consider when determining the best Salesforce project management methodology to use:
Project objectives
Team deliverables
Level of stakeholder involvement
Industry vertical
Flexibility of timeline
Flexibility of allotted budget
Type and number of teams working on the project
External dependencies
Project complexity
Matching Project Management Methodology to Each Project
Different projects call for specific methodologies. These are the most common methodologies I have used in the past and the types of projects for which they are best suited.
Waterfall
In Waterfall methodology, each piece of the project is planned linearly and builds upon the last.
Waterfall project management methodology is best suited for projects with fixed budgets and limited stakeholder involvement and where requirements remain the same throughout the project lifecycle.
Agile
Agile project management methodology is best suited for projects with flexible budgets and requirements.
This methodology follows an incremental and iterative approach for continuous improvement that delivers better quality.
Adaptive
Adaptive project management methodology is a hybrid of Waterfall and Agile.
Adaptive methodology:
Works best for projects with fixed budgets, requirements, and greater availability of stakeholders.
Combines the best of waterfall for planning and agile for execution.
Is perfect for small- to medium-sized projects for high-quality delivery with a defined scope and budget.
Scrum
Scrum project management methodology is ideal for feature-driven work with big release goals or milestones. Scrum allows work to be delivered in a predictable pattern.
Kanban
Kanban project management methodology is great for incoming small pieces of work such as defect fixes or small enhancement requests that require a smooth flow of work.
Scrumban
I use this hybrid methodology for projects that require backlog prioritizations and short delivery sprints along with Kanban’s workflow and continuous improvements.
Scrumban project management methodology is ideal for scenarios where defined sprints include a combination of new product features and small support and maintenance work.
Extreme Programming (XP)
XP project management methodology is used with projects involving multiple development teams with high collaboration and fast response time as stakeholder needs change.
Feature Driven Development
Feature Driven Development project management methodology is used for highly complex projects by decomposing bigger functional areas into features and developing fast, repeatable processes in collaboration with multiple teams
Rapid Application Development (RAD)
Taking a POC-based approach, RAD project management methodology focuses on user input based on testing.
Agile Model Driven Development (AMDD)
AMDD project management methodology is used on projects that focus on the upfront creation of complex business architecture or use cases by utilizing standard domain and visual modeling techniques.
Choose a Project Management Methodology Early and Thoughtfully
It is very important to decide on the SDLC methodology at the beginning of the project. By analyzing all the project constraints and understanding that every project is unique and requires a different approach, you’ll ensure the project is executed successfully on time, in budget and that it meets all goals to get true ROI on the system.
Contact CRM Science Salesforce Consultants
CRM Science project managers are seasoned experts when it comes to choosing the right project management methodology.
Every CRM Science Salesforce consulting client gets a dedicated project manager who leads all interactions between the teams. This main point of contact also provides status updates and reporting, coordinates client acceptance testing, and communicates information about key planning and development stages.
Contact CRM Science Salesforce consultants to start building the CRM org of your dreams.
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