A Modern Guide to IT Project Management

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.

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 director-level project management professional, Agile coach and author, with a background in post secondary education. 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. At the time of this book’s publication, she served as a Business Transformation Project Director for a non‑profit organization, supporting the implementation of its strategic priorities. In that role, she contributed to governance structures, guided project execution, and provided consulting on project management practices. 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’s 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.