What Is a Project Management Framework?

Components of project management frameworks

The project management framework can be broken into three parts:

1. Project life cycle

The project life cycle outlines the progression of a project from conception to conclusion, effectively guiding teams through the project management framework. The project lifecycle is segmented into five key phases:

• Initiation 
• Planning
• Execution
• Performance Monitoring
• Project closure 

This structured approach helps teams manage the project management process efficiently, allowing for clear milestones that link to overall project goals. Let’s define each of the phases in detail:

• Initiation: This is where you define what the project actually is. You can outline your objectives in a project charter and identify any potential risks.
• Planning: In this phase, you list all the project tasks in a detailed roadmap. Estimate how long each one will take, create deadlines, and add assignees. You can use a Gantt chart to visualize the entire project timeline and sequence of activities in this phase.

• Execution: Put the plan into action. Teams commence work on project tasks and align their schedules to achieve key deliverables.
• Performance monitoring: Project managers oversee progress by tracking team performance, creating reports, and readjusting priorities if necessary.
• Project closure: The final phase incorporates the results achieved when all project tasks are completed. 

Manage all five phases of your project management plan with Wrike.

2. Project control cycle

The control cycle is the entire process of monitoring and controlling the project. It ensures that the project adheres to its set timelines, budgets, and scope outlined in the project management plan. Effective project monitoring involves regular status updates, performance reviews, and the strategic use of project management tools to proactively handle any deviations from the plan.

3.  Tools and templates

Project plans, project management reports, and risk logs are common tools and templates for managing projects. There are templates in Wrike that help you simplify the initial plan of a project and support it throughout the project lifecycle. For example, you can use the:

• Action plan template to outline clear steps and responsibilities for team members
• Project performance template to monitor the project’s progress
• Project risk analysis (RAID) template to identify potential risks before they become big issues

Project framework examples

There are many project management frameworks you can choose to use. Here are 12 of the most common ones:

1. PRINCE2

This framework is highly structured with a heavy emphasis on upfront planning.

Pros:

• Offers a clear, template-driven process that facilitates effective project management
• Focuses on alignment with business objectives and project goals

Cons:

• Can be too rigid, especially in projects requiring flexibility
• High overhead due to its comprehensive documentation requirements

2. Critical Chain Project Management (CCPM)

Critical chain project management focuses primarily on resource allocation across the project.

Pros:

• Helps in handling project uncertainties with its buffer management technique
• Improves overall project progress efficiency by focusing on critical resources

Cons:

• Can be complex to implement due to its shift from traditional scheduling methods
• Requires buy-in from all stakeholders due to its unconventional approach

3. Lean

A Lean framework focuses on minimizing wasted effort and resources. Process improvement techniques are often incorporated into this framework. This framework aims to continuously improve efficiency by eliminating waste and optimizing processes.

Pros:

• Enhances project lifecycle efficiency by reducing waste, leading to faster delivery and lower costs
• Facilitates clearer communication and continuous feedback loops
• Focuses on delivering value to the customer, enhancing satisfaction and project outcomes
• Adaptable to changes in project scope and client requirements

Cons:

• May not cover all aspects of project planning, particularly in large-scale projects
• Can be difficult to implement in environments resistant to change
• Requires a deep understanding of Lean principles and practices
• Lean’s focus on speed can sometimes compromise the depth of detail

4. XPM

Extreme project management was designed for complex projects that occur in fast-changing environments. Emphasis is on stakeholder management as plans and schedules are rapidly changing.

Pros:

• Highly adaptive to changes, allowing project teams to respond quickly
• Emphasizes strong stakeholder engagement
• Promotes innovation and creative problem solving
• Encourages leadership and decision making at all levels

Cons:

• Risk of scope creep due to frequent changes
• Can be demanding for teams due to the constant changes and fast pace
• Can lead to project instability and confusion without clear boundaries or structure
• High risk of misalignment without consistent objectives

5. SCRUM 

This framework was also designed for industries undergoing rapid change. Using this framework, projects are often broken down and planned in 2-4 week sprints. Scrum is ideal for projects requiring iterative and incremental development, used extensively in software development.

Pros:

• Highly flexible and responsive, promoting adaptive planning, evolutionary development, and continuous improvement
• Enhances transparency and collective accountability
• Regular sprints allow for rapid adjustments based on feedback
• Promotes close collaboration among team members
• Clear roles and rituals foster a structured yet adaptable workflow

Cons:

• Not suitable for teams new to Agile without proper training
• Requires frequent meetings, which can be seen as an overhead
• Less effective for projects with fixed requirements and scope
• Dependence on the team’s self-management skills can be risky
• Can struggle in larger, more hierarchical organizations

6. Waterfall

One of the oldest project management frameworks characterized by a sequential (linear) approach. Here, progress flows downward like a waterfall through the phases of concept, initiation, analysis, design, construction, testing, implementation, and maintenance. 

Pros:

• Provides a clear, linear path of progression, which simplifies understanding
• Facilitates thorough documentation, helpful for future reference
• Enables early design freezes, which can stabilize feature sets
• Ideal for projects that require meticulous records, such as in regulated industries

Cons:

• Inflexible response to change, which can lead to significant issues if requirements evolve
• Delays in testing until after completion can lead to higher costs in fixing issues and longer delivery times
• Risk of client dissatisfaction if initial requirements are not thoroughly understood
• Not suitable for projects where end-user feedback is crucial for the project’s success

7. Kanban

Kanban focuses on reducing the time it takes to take a project (or user story) from start to finish. It uses Kanban boards to give a visual overview of all tasks and their current status, which facilitates immediate adjustments and improvements.

Pros:

• Helps identify bottlenecks in real time, allowing for quick adjustments
• Limits work in progress, helping teams focus better and reduce burnout
• Easy to reprioritize tasks based on evolving project needs

Cons:

• Not ideal for complex projects that require more structure, like PRINCE2
• Overreliance on boards can sometimes neglect non-visual aspects of project management
• Without strict deadlines, some tasks can lag indefinitely

8. Agile

Agile is more of an overarching methodology than a framework. Based on continuous iteration, it incorporates frameworks like Scrum, Kanban, and Lean.

Pros:

• Enhances product quality by enabling frequent assessment and adjustments
• Promotes client involvement, which can lead to higher satisfaction
• Enables quicker releases and continuous improvement, keeping projects dynamic and adaptable
• Empowers teams to make decisions, which can boost morale and improve outcomes
• Adapts easily to changes in project requirements, reducing the costs associated with late changes

Cons:

• Can demand more time and energy from teams due to its iterative nature
• Scope can expand unchecked due to ongoing changes
• Success heavily relies on the team’s ability to self-manage
• Focus on speed can sometimes lead to inadequate documentation
• Can be hard to predict in terms of final costs and delivery dates

9. Hybrid 

Hybrid frameworks integrate Waterfall’s structured approach with Agile’s flexibility, suitable for projects requiring both stability and adaptability.

Pros:

• Combines proactive risk management of Waterfall with the iterative testing of Agile
• Well-defined milestones help in monitoring and controlling project progress
• Meets the need for upfront project planning while allowing for feedback and changes

Cons:

• Requires a project culture that can adapt to both structured and Agile approaches
• Properly integrating the outputs of Agile sprints into a Waterfall timeline can be difficult
• Teams need training in both methodologies, which can be resource-intensive

10. Six Sigma

Six Sigma is a data-driven framework for management and control in SPM (software project management) that aims to improve the quality of output by identifying and removing defects and minimizing variability.

Pros:

• Focuses on quality control, which can substantially reduce defects 
• Minimizes waste, which significantly reduces costs over the project life cycle
• Improves final product, leading to higher customer satisfaction
• Provides a systematic approach to problem solving that yields predictable results

Cons:

• As a project management framework in software engineering, it requires a deep understanding of statistical methods
• Needs significant resources and training for implementation
• Takes time to see results, which can be a drawback in fast-paced environments
• May overlook qualitative aspects of project success

11. Dynamic Systems Development Method (DSDM)

DSDM is an Agile project management framework in SPM, designed for rapid software delivery.

Pros:

• Focuses on user involvement, which is essential for aligning the project with customer needs
• Facilitates frequent testing and review, maintaining high quality throughout development

Cons:

• Requires a commitment to significant stakeholder involvement, which can be resource-intensive
• Can be complex to implement due to its comprehensive nature

12. PMI’s PMBOK (Project Management Body of Knowledge)

PMBOK is not quite a methodology but a set of guidelines and terms used in project management. It is a globally recognized standard that provides instructions for managing most projects, incorporating the PMP framework.

Pros:

• Provides a standardized approach that can be universally applied across various industries, helping to maintain consistency
• Supported by a vast array of training and certification options, enhancing the professional credibility of project teams and managers

Cons:

• As a guideline, it requires adaptation to fit specific project needs
• Can be overwhelming due to its scope and detail

How to choose a project management framework

One single framework does not work for all projects, which is why so many of them have been created over the years. When deciding which framework is best for your project, consider the following:

• For industries or technologies that are rapidly evolving, opt for adaptable frameworks like XPM, Scrum, or Agile.
• For projects with intangible deliverables, such as software or digital products, sprint-based approaches like Scrum or Agile are effective.
• For projects that have clear, stable requirements, a framework that allows for comprehensive upfront planning is ideal. Therefore, PRINCE2 or Waterfall are most suitable.
• If reducing waste is a priority, consider a Lean framework.
• If the focus is on high quality and tight control over project variables, Six Sigma might be the best choice, as it emphasizes defect reduction and process improvement.
• Use the DSDM framework if your projects require frequent stakeholder feedback and iterative development.
• If you’re seeking a comprehensive and standardized approach that you can customize for your organization, use PMI’s PMBOK.
• Sometimes, the best approach is to incorporate elements of multiple frameworks. Hybrid methodologies leverage the strengths of both adaptive and predictive project management practices.
• Frameworks should be chosen based on what your organization and stakeholders are familiar with. For example, if your company has never completed an XPM project before, introducing one may be difficult.

What are the benefits of following a project management framework?

A framework in project management can be a useful toolkit for teams, enabling them to adapt and apply best practices to each situation. According to Parallel, when a framework is in place, team members are more capable of handling unforeseen changes in a project.

Some other benefits of project management frameworks include: 

• Consistency: With a project management framework, processes are consistent across the organization. This allows for greater precision in planning projects and setting deadlines.
• Clarity: A framework clearly lays out all project tasks and the tools needed to complete them, meaning there is no confusion when teams get to the execution stage. 
• Simplification: When large projects are broken down into smaller tasks, it is easier to delegate tasks and teams to tackle the workload. 
• Optimization: A project management framework can help managers assess how much time and money is spent on each project. This enables them to successfully allocate and optimize resources for future projects.
• Communication: By meeting regularly with teams as outlined in their chosen framework, project managers can effectively communicate with colleagues and boost information flow.

Who outlines the framework of project management?

A project manager chooses the framework for their team. As the person who oversees all project progress, they know best how their colleagues work and are, therefore, best suited to choosing a project management framework that matches the team’s working style. The project manager will outline the framework to be followed, host regular meetings in line with this methodology, and monitor progress to ensure it is the right project management framework to achieve key deliverables.

Build your project management framework with Wrike

By implementing a well-defined framework, organizations can enhance collaboration, improve efficiency, and mitigate risks. However, navigating the complexities of project management requires the right tools and technology. This is where Wrike comes into play.

Wrike offers a comprehensive suite of features designed to align with various project management frameworks, including Scrum and Waterfall. With Wrike’s intuitive interface, customizable workflows, real-time communication, and robust reporting capabilities, businesses can build a project management framework that truly suits their team’s needs. 

Want to explore more? Embrace the power of Wrike and breathe new life into your projects today.

Further reading:

• Scrum for Newbies: How to Use Scrum to Tame Chaos
• What Are the Advantages of Waterfall Project Management?
• What Is Extreme Project Management and Is It Right for Your Team?
• Project Management Basics: PRINCE2 Explained
• Startups Should Lean on Lean Project Management