How to Apply a Hybrid Management Model in Project Management

Nowadays, it is essential for companies to invest in project management methods that optimize processes, increase productivity, reduce costs, and bring better results to different areas. In this context, the hybrid management model can be an excellent option.

This is because hybrid management combines traditional or predictive methodologies and tools with agile project management approaches in order to meet different organizational demands. The model was created so project managers could use the best of each agile methodology, according to the project’s needs.

Hybrid management is based on the idea that there is no one-size-fits-all formula for project management, so project managers must find the right balance between the benefits of speed brought by agile methodologies and the good documentation brought by conventional methods.

Keep reading to know the benefits and how to apply the hybrid model to the company’s daily activities.

Advantages of the Hybrid Management Model

There are several advantages to investing in this model. For starters, it brings a balance between the processes, techniques, and tools to be used by the business. In this way, it brings flexibility, agility, and optimization to different segments of an organization.

Another point is that the hybrid management model offers a new level of quality, as the company can guide its employees by different principles, helping to reduce errors and delays.

In addition, by defining and monitoring the most interesting metrics for a given project, it is possible to rely on more assertive planning and management.

How to Implement the Method in Organizational Routine

Now that you know the concept and its benefits, you may be wondering how to implement the hybrid management model in the day-to-day areas of project management. With this in mind, we list some best practices:

Understand the Context of Each Project

The first step towards an efficient implementation of the different methods is to understand the context of each one of the projects, including its characteristics and which are the most valuable points.

Prioritize Organizational Culture

For the best methodologies to be used by a business, it is essential to respect the organizational culture. In practice, this means assessing what are the predominant traits in the company’s purpose, policies, and mission.

For example, the more conservative tend to look for more traditional and predictive methodologies, containing fast documentation and more rigid processes, while the more modern ones may look for innovative and less bureaucratic methodologies. In this sense, it is important to keep in mind that there is no right or wrong, but what is more assertive to each type of organization.

Questions that can be raised include how project management is currently considered, how those responsible for new projects are organized, whether a formal process already exists, and whether team members are free to suggest new approaches.

List of Deadlines

After defining the scope of each work, it is necessary to check the deadlines. That is, how long the project must be planned, tested, and started. Thus, it is more to choose which management methodologies are more consistent with the urgency of the project.

Define Which Approaches Will be Used

From the survey of projects, culture, and deadlines, the company must think of several options used. This is because it is common for businesses to have projects of different nature, costs, and risks. On the other hand, different models can be used, but it is important to keep in mind an average of the number of methodologies and which ones are more relevant to the organization’s culture and the characteristics of the projects.

Training and Education

Another essential aspect is to raise awareness and train employees involved with the methodologies so that they understand why they will be used and what differentials they will bring in terms of productivity and efficiency. In addition to helping to reduce errors and rework, the company is promoting greater team engagement, which directly helps in achieving good results.

Start with Small Projects

Before using the hybrid management model in large projects, it is interesting to start with the smaller ones, in order to help the employees to adapt and understand the methodologies to be used thereafter. Furthermore, this prevents errors and failures that harm the organization.

Invest in Assertive Communication

Maintaining clear communication with employees, which informs whenever changes and new methods are introduced into projects, is one of the actions for the success of the process. After all, employees are directly responsible for making this happen.

Provide Feedback

Feedback is important within the context of a hybrid management model. This is because mistakes can be made when implementing new methodologies. Communicating feedback to those responsible for fixing them helps both in motivation and in engagement and search for optimization.

Use Quality Controls

Quality control consists of systems used by an organization to measure the quality of actions, projects, and methodologies, with the aim of making continuous improvements. This is no different with hybrid management models. By monitoring performance within the scope of projects, the company can adapt it in the way that is most convenient and become increasingly efficient over time.

As you can see, the hybrid management model can be a great tool for organization, efficiency, productivity, and profitability in the company. At first, it may require a good deal of effort, but once implemented, the results are certainly rewarding.