Game The Project Management System Using Hybrid Methodologies

Thesis: The Healthiest Projects Change Methodologies Throughout Their Lifecycle

Supporting Point 1: Over many different projects and with many different teams I've deployed a wide range of creative and production methodologies, and found that the best results come from tailoring your current methodology to your current production phase (and team structure).

In practice this involves breaking your overall production into distinct phases, each of which employs the methodology most applicable to the macro goals (e.g. conceptualization vs. scaling existing elements). This is further supported by a strong overarching greenlight process used as a gating mechanism for each phase, ensuring that these phases are timeboxed and don't get derailed by endless iteration loops or lack of clear macro level objectives.

Supporting Point 2: Seasoned developer and professor David Mullich came up with a new plan for teaching a hybrid methodology when teaching at the Los Angeles Film School Game Production program. Per Professor Mullich, "This new plan is based upon a hybrid methodology that is more typically used in the game industry. The hybrid approach is built upon a so-called Waterfall, or sequential, approach in which the team delivers the game in stages according to predetermined milestones, but with the Scrum methodology being used in the time interval between each milestone."

Supporting Point 3: Some of the most successful companies put a high priority on digital skills and knowledge, and couple it with a commitment to a strong project management culture. Project Managers at these companies demonstrate a strong ability to shift their way of getting work done. Data from PMI's Pulse of the Profession 2019 report shows that these PM's were far more likely to report "always" or "often" using a variety of project management approaches. In fact, 89% of the project professionals surveyed in 2019 said that their organization implemented hybrid project management practices. To achieve true digital sustainability in the new future of work, organizations will need a ready-for-anything team that knows their technology as well as their project management.

Fun Fact: Think Hybrid methodologies are a fringe thing and too cutting edge for you to adopt? Think about this… both IBM and the US Federal Government have utilized hybrid project management methodologies to successfully generate better results. If behemoths like these organizations can benefit from blending various styles, then just imagine the benefit to your own efforts (small or large).

Conclusion: For optimal production results you should use a blend of project management methodologies, creating a hybrid system that matches your unique project and team. Click here for a great primer on how to blend methodologies, and keep in mind that this approach can be expanded to include more than simply blending Waterfall and Agile. Take a look at incorporating elements of Lean Sigma Six, Kanban, Scrum, and others; while remembering… "one size does not fit all" when it comes to project management.

Extra Credit: Join your colleagues in sharing your own experiences with various project management methodologies; what's worked and what hasn't. Help us all become better leaders and team members.

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About Chris Hewish

Chris Hewish is a veteran game developer, executive and entrepreneur who's helped many great teams ship over 50 games earning over $1B. You can follow him on LinkedIn and his website www.GameCraft.games.

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