Project, operations and supply chain management - Essay Example

In this respect, projects adopting the traditional approach are designed in a way that the exact results expected from the project are defined with precision. As such, definite results are agreed upon between the project team and the client. On the other hand, projects adopting the agile approach start with the expectation that there may be changes in the features and requirements of the project over time. As opposed to the traditional approach, the only agreement that is set between the project team and the client is the time to the taken as well as the resources in order to deliver the most optimal results (Carroll, 2012, p. 8). Differences between the two approaches can also be noted in the implementation phase.

That is, the traditional approach follows a route that is predictable and linear; the tools and techniques that are used in sequencing, organizing and assigning various tasks in the project are very inflexible. On the contrary, the agile methodology is more adaptive and follows a less linear route. Emphasis in this project management approach is put in on the people, collaboration, effective communication and customer solutions, while seeking to bring about dynamism in the project aimed at adapting to the external environment (Singh, 2012, p. 205). The leadership and management styles that are applied in projects while using the two approaches also differ greatly.

In this respect, the traditional approach to project management adopts a bureaucratic, top-down approach to leadership. The leaders in such projects rely on control and command in passing instructions to their subordinates, while having clearly set roles for each of the project members. On the other hand, the agile methodology adopts a transformational leadership style whereby leaders seek to inspire their subordinates in carrying out their respective tasks. The assigning of duties among