Introduction
Popular project management methodologies derive from two main development approaches. The waterfall or predictive approach is better suited for the projects that are one-way in nature, such as residential construction. The development phases follow each other sequentially without repetition, similar to water cascading downhill by the force of gravity (Verzuh, 2021). In contrast, the agile or iterative approach is characterized by constant repetition, which adds value to complex products incrementally as the team reviews results after each iteration (Verzuh, 2021). In this regard, agile-based methodologies are better suited for projects in such industries as software development and website design.
Discussion
The Scrum project management methodology is agile-based since it provides efficiency through fast-paced iterations. Team members work in short sprints to produce deliverables quickly and test them to evaluate results (Wrike, n.d.). Tight collaboration within the team makes it possible to detect and fix mistakes promptly. The project becomes more refined with every new iteration, as the team fixes mistakes and implements fresh, useful ideas. According to Verzuh & Frederick (2021), Scrum practices are common in the game development industry since they build team spirit and allow the developers to adopt new requirements from a product backlog. High intensity and relentless pace of iterations can be considered the main drawbacks of Scrum (Verzuh & Frederick, 2021). As such, this methodology should be used sparingly, only to handle the most critical matters.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I see the benefit of Scrum methodology in the video game development process. A complex game, such as a racing simulator, would require frequent testing iterations and constant collaboration between smaller teams within the company. Scrum would be especially helpful during beta testing since incorporating testers’ feedback into the final version is invaluable for making a solid release. Overall, Scrum seems to be a solid choice for situations when quick reaction is paramount.
References
Verzuh, E. (2021). The fast forward MBA in project management. John Wiley & Sons.
Verzuh, E. & Frederick, L (2021). Managing creative projects. In Verzuh, E. (2021) The fast forward MBA in project management. John Wiley & Sons.
Wrike. (n.d.). 16 popular product management methodologies. [Infographic].