Extreme Project Management (XPM)

Abstract

Extreme project management (XPM) is a modern approach to manage projects this method is used when managing complex and uncertain projects which has a lot of new or changing requirements during the project duration. The methodology is bordering on a tactical operation of an ongoing project with the goal of completing the project ahead of the normal timeline. Extreme project management differs from normal project management with its open and non-deterministic approach and with a larger focus on managing the stakeholders involved in the project. Extreme Project management came about as a consequence of modern situation requiring a method which allows managing constant changes and complexities in more turbulent projects. This nature has led to Extreme Project Management being one of the main methods used in the software development industry. In this article the XPM approach will explained and compared with the traditional approach additionally the leadership skills and stakeholder managements methods will be explored.

Background

There exist many types of project management with different industries using different methods most suitable for their respective challenges. Extreme project management Extreme project management one of the most project management methods used in the software industry due to the large changes and alterations occurring in the industry.

Extreme project management is fast pace working environment which allows the project teams to work in shorter timelines. For the Extreme project management to keep up the accelerated pace it is necessary to for all team members to understand what the work entails this is done by having close thorough communication in the execution of the project, this however should not affect the strategy of the project.

Extreme project management uses a variation of the more often used rapid application development (RAD) called rapid application planning (RAP). In this planning the project manager invites the steak holders to rapid application planning sessions where the planning of the project is made.

Extreme Project Management Vs. Traditional Project Management

Traditional project management

• Fully plan driven
• Manages the known
• Stable and predictable
• Achieve planned result
• Efficiency
• Process driven
• It thrives on managing

Extreme Project Management

• Fully adaptive with short cycles of development
• Manages the unknown
• Chaotic and ever changing
• Self-correcting leading to right result
• Effectiveness
• People and result driven
• It thrives on leading