A Modern Guide to IT Project Management: Agile Waterfall Approaches

A Modern Guide to IT Project Management: Agile Waterfall Approaches offers a comprehensive and practical introduction to managing projects in today's fast-paced and ever-evolving technological landscape. As organizations strive to innovate and remain competitive, effective project management has become an essential skill in both IT infrastructure and software development.

This book explores core project management principles with a focus on real-world examples and practices specific to the IT industry. It provides a balanced overview of both traditional Waterfall and modern Agile approaches, helping readers understand the key differences, processes, tools, and best practices associated with each. Whether using a formal, structured methodology or a more adaptive, informal approach, readers will find valuable guidance for managing projects successfully.

In addition to technical knowledge, the book emphasizes the importance of soft skills such as communication, leadership, and collaboration. These skills are often the key to successful project outcomes and are illustrated through practical examples and case studies.

Each chapter is organized around a core knowledge area of project management, beginning with general concepts and concluding with insights into how both Waterfall and Agile frameworks apply. An ongoing case study is used throughout the book to reinforce learning and show how theory translates into practice.

Written in clear, accessible language, this guide is ideal for students, early-career professionals, and aspiring project managers looking to build a solid foundation in IT project management.

Preface
Acknowledgements

Part I Introduction
Chapter 1 IT Project Delivery: The Essentials
Chapter 2 Overview of Waterfall and Agile Approaches

Part II Conceptualization and Ideation
Chapter 3 Strategic Project Selection and Alignment
Chapter 4 Initiating IT Projects from Concept to Kickoff

Part III Design
Chapter 5 Stakeholder Relationships in IT Projects
Chapter 6 Project Scope Definition and Management
Chapter 7 Time Management and Scheduling Techniques
Chapter 8 Cost Estimation and Budgeting
Chapter 9 Building Effective Project Teams
Chapter 10 Risk Management Strategies

Part IV Development
Chapter 11 Leadership Dynamics in ITPM
Chapter 12 Project Execution: Delivering the Work
Chapter 13 Project Review and Analysis: Ensuring Quality and Improvement
Chapter 14 Vendor Management
Chapter 15 Production Readiness: Strategies for Successful Implementation

References

Dave C. Barrett is a retired professor and academic lead for Project Management education at Conestoga College in Kitchener, Ontario. He joined Conestoga's School of Business in 2004 as the first dedicated PM professor, leading the development of the college's project management offerings. Prior to his teaching career, he worked in private industry for 21 years, where he began as a software developer and rose through the ranks to lead large-scale IT integration programs in the financial services sector. Barrett holds a Bachelor of Math (University of Waterloo), a Master of Business Administration (Athabasca University), and a Project Management Professional designation. In spite of his technical roots, Barrett places great emphasis on the humanistic aspects of project management. Stakeholder management and engagement have been key to his success, inspiring others—whether students or team members—to remain motivated to deliver maximum value for business partners. After several years of teaching, he found that introductory project management textbooks were written at an elevated level of technical complexity, which made them less approachable for students new to the project management discipline. This led to his writing of Understanding Project Management: A Practical Guide in 2018, now in its third edition. This book emphasizes straightforward and approachable language while providing a solid foundation in project management. This same approach has been brought to A Modern Guide to Project Management: Agile Waterfall Approaches. Barrett lives in Waterloo, Ontario. When not teaching and writing, he values time spent with family and friends. He and his wife enjoy travelling and spending time on Georgian Bay.

Simone Craig is a college professor, Agile coach, and author, originally from Germany. She holds a bachelor's degree in business from Wilfrid Laurier University and an MBA from the Australian Institute of Business. Over the years, Simone has blended her industry experience as a project manager, people leader, and Agile coach with part-time teaching at the post-secondary level. As an Agile coach, Simone has successfully mentored teams in adopting Scrum and Kanban practices. She is an Accredited Kanban Trainer (AKT) and has delivered training and certifications to many professionals in the Kanban method. Her expertise spans both Agile and Waterfall approaches, giving her a well-rounded project management toolkit. In 2024, Simone published her first book with Canadian Scholars, titled Agile Coaching and Transformation: The Journey to Enterprise Agility, which explores practical strategies for guiding teams through Agile change and organizational transformation. Eventually, her passion for teaching led her to become a full-time professor at Conestoga College. To stay connected with industry and bring fresh stories into the classroom, she founded her own consulting company, The Agile Lens, offering Agile coaching and corporate training across North America. Simone holds certifications in Project Management (PMP), Scrum (CSM), Kanban (KMP, AKT), and Scaled Agile (SAFe), which reflect her deep commitment to professional development and Agile excellence. Outside of work, Simone enjoys spending time with her family. She is a proud mom of two young adults and often finds herself at baseball diamonds, hockey rinks, or relaxing at her cottage. She also enjoys reading, travelling, and finding new ways to bring creativity into her teaching and coaching practice.

"Barrett and Craig deliver a clear, insightful, and practical guide to modern IT project delivery. The Waterfall structure, seamlessly blended with Agile adaptability, provides an accessible roadmap for students and practitioners. The featured case study, contemporary IT trends, neat infographics, self-assessment quizzes, and straightforward language make complex concepts easy to grasp while fostering both technical capability and an adaptable project management mindset." —Fatehjit S. Kochar, PMI-ACP, PMP, MBA, Professor, Douglas A. Smith Family School of Business, Cambrian College

"A Modern Guide to IT Project Management does something unique by connecting IT project management theory to practice in a clear and meaningful way. It reflects the skills employers actually expect from IT project managers—not just processes, but decision-making, collaboration, and adaptability. A practical and current resource grounded in real project environments with relevant examples, case studies, and exercises designed to support effective teaching and learning." —Kateryna Ivanchuk, Professor and Program Coordinator, School of Applied Computer Science & Information Technology, Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning

"A Modern Guide to IT Project Management offers clear structure and real‑world relevance, making key project management concepts accessible and engaging. Its unique approach—considering both Agile and Waterfall methodologies—supported by thoughtful instructional design, helps readers build strong understanding and practical confidence needed in today's evolving IT project management landscape." —Catherine Maharaj, Project Management Professional, Higher Education

"A Modern Guide to IT Project Management is a comprehensive introduction to project management concepts. It weaves Agile and Waterfall into the project framework and uses an ongoing case study and recent news to illustrate key ideas while bringing a modern relevance to the content. Its logical organization, simple language, and helpful elements—like summary questions and key concept highlights—make it an excellent choice for both independent learners and instructors wanting a fresh, easy-to-understand resource." —Ian Adare, Professor of Project Management, PEng., PMP