---
title: "IT project management methodology"
subject: "ICT Project Management"
chapter: 14
key: "semester_7/ict_project_management:it-pm-methodology"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/ict_project_management/it-pm-methodology
site: BCT Engineering
---

# IT project management methodology

ICT Project Management · Chapter 14: Developing Custom Processes for IT projects

- Asked in: year not given; year not given
- Video: [7 Important Project Management Methodologies You Need To MASTER](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVgStx8aMqs) — Psoda
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/ict_project_management/it-pm-methodology
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_7/ict_project_management/chapter-14

## Question

Explain the IT project management methodology. What are developing project management methodology in developing custom IT projects?

## Short answer

An IT project management methodology is a standardized set of processes, phases, templates, and tools for planning and managing IT projects. For custom IT projects, it is developed by studying organizational needs, selecting a base life cycle (waterfall, agile, or hybrid), defining processes and templates, piloting, training, and continuously improving.

## Answer

An **IT project management methodology** is a standardised set of processes, phases, deliverables, tools and templates which an organisation uses to plan and manage its IT projects, covering both management and technical work. Schwalbe describes it as tailoring general project management practice (PMBOK) to the nature of IT work: intangible products, rapid change and evolving requirements.

#### Typical components
- Life cycle phases (e.g. concept, requirement, design, build, test, deploy, support).
- Process groups and knowledge areas used in each phase.
- Roles and responsibilities.
- Templates (charter, WBS, test plan, status report, change request).
- Tools (scheduling, version control, defect tracking).
- Governance: reviews, approvals, stage gates.

#### Developing a project management methodology for custom IT projects
1. **Study the organisation and its projects**: size, type (development, infrastructure, integration), clients, risk level, culture.
2. **Review existing standards**: PMBOK, PRINCE2, agile frameworks, ISO, CMMI.
3. **Choose the base life cycle**: predictive (waterfall), iterative or agile, or a hybrid, depending on requirement stability.
4. **Define the processes** needed in each knowledge area (scope, schedule, cost, quality, risk, communication, procurement, change).
5. **Develop templates, checklists and guidelines.**
6. **Define scalable levels** (small, medium, large projects), so that documentation matches project size.
7. **Pilot the methodology** on a project; gather feedback.
8. **Train staff** and give management support.
9. **Implement, measure and improve** (lessons learned; maturity models).

```text
Study needs -> Select framework -> Define processes
  -> Templates/tools -> Pilot -> Train -> Roll out
        ^________ improve ________|
```

#### Customisation factors
| Factor | Effect |
|---|---|
| Requirement stability | Agile if volatile |
| Project size | More governance for large |
| Customer type | Contract and reporting needs |
| Team location | Tools for distributed teams |

#### Benefits
Consistency, faster start, reduced risk, better quality, easier training and measurement.

**Example:** A Kathmandu software firm uses a hybrid method: a short waterfall initiation for scope and contract, followed by two-week agile sprints for development, with standard templates for status and change control.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. What is an IT project management methodology?
   A. A single tool for scheduling
   B. A standardised set of processes, phases, deliverables, tools and templates for planning and managing IT projects
   C. A programming language
   D. A contract type
   Answer: B. It is an organisation's standard set of processes, deliverables, tools and templates for IT projects. (Key point: Definition)

2. When requirements are volatile, which life cycle is best?
   A. Strict predictive waterfall
   B. Agile or iterative
   C. No life cycle
   D. Procurement-driven
   Answer: B. Requirement stability drives the choice; volatile requirements favour agile. (Key point: Choosing life cycle)

3. Why define scalable levels for small, medium and large projects?
   A. So documentation matches project size
   B. To avoid templates
   C. To skip pilots
   D. To remove governance
   Answer: A. Scalable levels keep documentation and governance proportionate to size. (Key point: Scalable levels)

4. What should be done before rolling out the methodology organisation-wide?
   A. Nothing
   B. Pilot it on a project and gather feedback
   C. Cancel existing projects
   D. Outsource it
   Answer: B. A pilot with feedback and training precedes rollout and continuous improvement. (Key point: Pilot)

## Related in ICT Project Management

- [Project management methodology](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fict_project_management%3Apm-methodology) — ICT Project Management, chapter 7
- [Baseline management in project plan](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fict_project_management%3Abaseline-management) — ICT Project Management, chapter 7
- [Project management body of knowledge](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fict_project_management%3Adefine-pmbok) — ICT Project Management, chapter 2
- [Project management knowledge areas](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fict_project_management%3Apm-knowledge-areas) — ICT Project Management, chapter 2
- [General management skills and project management](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fict_project_management%3Ageneral-management-skill) — ICT Project Management, chapter 2
- [Project portfolio management](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fict_project_management%3Aportfolio-management) — ICT Project Management, chapter 3

## Related in other subjects

- [Types of projects; effect of project management](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fproject_engineering%3Aproject-types-effect-of-management) — Project Engineering, chapter 1
- [Procedure for developing a project proposal](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fproject_engineering%3Aproposal-procedure-develop) — Project Engineering, chapter 2, asked 4×
- [Risk in construction projects and its management](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fproject_engineering%3Arisk-define-more-chance-construction) — Project Engineering, chapter 5
- [Function of project management in Nepal](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fconstruction_management%3Acpm-function-nepal) — Construction Management, chapter 1