Is the V-cycle right for your project management?

Have you heard of the V-cycle, the classic project management model ?

Developed in the industrial sector in the 1980s, this method of organizing activities has gradually spread to other fields, notably IT. And today, many organizations still find the V-cycle functional for the management of certain projects.

Nevertheless, over the years, other project management models have emerged. We've heard more and more about Agility, Scrum... is the V-cycle out of kilter?

However, we'll see that it remains a classic but interesting way of working.

Would you like to know whether the V cycle can meet your project management needs? This article identifies its advantages and disadvantages, and introduces you to suitable software and alternative methods.

But first, let's take a look at the very definition of the V-cycle.

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Using the V-cycle

V-cycle definition

The V-cycle is a project management model consisting of a top-down phase, followed by a bottom-up phase.

Inspired by the waterfall model, it involves the same sequential, linear management principle, minus the back-and-forth (the W-cycle includes feedback adjustments).

Here's what the V-cycle model looks like:

In this diagram, we can clearly see all the stages involved in the complete realization of a product, from the formulation of the need to the final verification of its conformity with that same need.

9 stages

The nine stages can be grouped into three phases, giving us a clearer idea of the project's progress:

Design (the top-down part):

• 1 - expression of requirements and feasibility study,
• 2 - definition of specifications and functional specifications,
• 3 - general/architectural design,
• 4 - detailed design.

Implementation:

• 5 - for example, automotive component manufacturing or computer coding;

Validation (the bottom-up part):

• 6 - unit testing, for each component or functionality,
  ✅ this stage echoes detailed design and is opposite it on the V diagram;
  
  
• 7 - integration and integration tests, on the finished product,
  ✅ this stage verifies the operation of the system defined in the general design stage;
  
  
• 8 - validation, i.e. the functional conformity of the product or software with the specifications communicated by the customer,
  ✅ this stage validates compliance with the specs defined in the top-down phase;
  
  
• 9 - acceptance testing by the customer,
  ✅ this stage validates compliance with the expression of requirements.

You've now grasped the principle, but you're probably wondering what the advantages of the V cycle are?

The different roles

Here are the different parties involved

• the project owner, i.e. the decision-maker or customer,
• the prime contractor, or MOE, the project team,
• the third-party consultant, the service provider speaking on behalf of the customer,
• the steering committee, and representatives of the project owner and project owner at meetings.

Advantages of the V-cycle

First of all, let's look at the reasons why the V-cycle has developed as opposed to the traditional waterfall model:

• It avoids the need to go back and forth during the project lifecycle: if problems are encountered, each step in the bottom-up process can draw on the documentation produced during the corresponding step in the top-down process (see illustration above).
  
  
• It provides further clarification during its test phase.

On the other hand, the V-cycle seems fairly intuitive and simple to put into practice:

• All it requires is a few regular meetings to manage the project and monitor the budget. Documentation can be created from existing templates.
  
  
• It requires less training and prerequisites than other methods such as Scrum.
  
  
• It adapts easily to projects involving multi-site structures, unlike project management models requiring daily meetings.

So is the V-cycle the miracle recipe for masterful project management?

But here's the thing...

Disadvantages of the V-cycle

In recent years, the V-cycle has come under increasing scrutiny.

Here are the main criticisms:

• It doesn't tolerate change well.
  Its sequential, linear construction makes backtracking impossible. However, it is not uncommon to encounter conceptual problems during the realization and validation phase. Should the V-cycle be restarted from the beginning? Or wait until the next V-cycle to make the changes?
  
  

• It requires extensive documentation, which some people see as a major waste of time.
  What's more, if it turns out to be imperfect, we can't rectify it in the intermediate stages provided for that purpose.
  
  

• It is difficult to adapt to certain types of project.
  Software development, for example, has difficulty coping with the lack of responsiveness and the separation between design and implementation.
  
  

• It can be lengthy.
  There's a risk that the final version of the product won't be able to adapt to the changes that occurred during the design phase. This is the paradox of a model that doesn't accept change, even though its duration makes it impossible to avoid it.

All these frustrations have given rise to new working methods.

Alternatives to the V-cycle

There are several alternatives to the V-cycle. But we'll concentrate on the Agile method, and more specifically the Scrum method.

V cycle vs. Agile

We're used to hearing about the Agile method. But in reality, there are many different Agile methods.

In contrast to the cascade model, among others, they are characterized by a :

• iterative: unlike the sequential and linear model, the iterative model involves the repetition of a cycle of operations. The project is refined with each iteration;
  
  
• incremental: the aim is always to produce a little more each time, building the product piece by piece until the final rendering.

The combination of the two "Mona Lisa's" gives us a good insight into the iterative and incremental essence of Agile:

It's also important to stress that Agile methods require everyone to be involved, and to be highly adaptable.

However, one of these methods has become very popular in recent years: the Scrum method, which focuses on :

• 2 forms of division :
  • dividing time into sprints, or development cycles,
  • the division of tasks into user stories, or needs and functionalities to be developed;
    
    
• 3 main roles :
  • the Product Owner, a kind of project manager, the point of contact between the customer and the development team,
  • the Scrum Master, the Scrum team's conductor,
  • the team: accomplishing tasks, producing the product;
    
    
• sprint meetings, called Scrum Ceremonies.

V cycle vs. Scrum, how to choose?

Source : islean-consulting.fr

Ultimately, it all depends on the type of project you're working on and the teams you can call on. Because while Scrum is all the rage, using it doesn't mean you're immune to certain constraints.

• If you're working on a complex project, but have little visibility ;
• you're in a position to actively mobilize teams;

✅ O pt for Scrum. It's the most responsive method.

• If you or your customer have complete control over the project;
• or the project is low-risk ;
• you prefer to rely on the documentation provided;
• you mobilize collaborators who are difficult to bring together on a regular basis;

✅ O pt for the V-cycle. It offers attractive economies of scale, since the entire scope of the project is dealt with in a single block.

So, you've made your choice ;-)? Now let's take a look at the software you'll need.

Software selection for your project management

There are many software packages available to help you manage your projects. Oracle SCM, for example, is ideally suited to product lifecycle projects.

Choose your software according to the nature of your projects and the size of the portfolio you manage. To help you, we present a selection of three market-leading solutions:

• Bubble Plan - simple and graphic
  Whether you're a novice or an expert, Bubble Plan makes it easy to manage your projects.
  Intuitive, graphical and quick to learn, Bubble Plan enables you to apply various project management methods, including the V-cycle and Scrum.
  In addition, Bubble Plan's support team is on hand to help you get the most out of the tool, with personalized training and advice.
  
  
• Planisware Orchestra: PPM for large enterprises
  Planisware Orchestra is a highly visual tool to help PMOs (Project Management Officers) manage, prioritize and plan the various projects of large corporations.
  In fact, Planisware Orchestra combines both a strategic and operational vision, enabling the management of an unlimited number of projects.
  And of course, this solution combines different working methods (agile, V-cycle, state-gate, etc.), to match all objectives.
  
  
• Project Monitor: collaborative and adaptable
  Available in both SaaS and on-premise modes, Project Monitor places particular emphasis on collective performance, encouraging collaborative work and exchange between all project players.
  Adaptable to all professions (IT, strategy, R&D, etc.) and all work methods, Project Monitor provides teams with a library of different project models: V-cycle, Scrum, Prince2, etc., while remaining perfectly simple to use.
  And it's all so easy to use!

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Project management... to each his own method and software

When it comes to project management, everyone has their own method.

While the V-cycle has many detractors today, we've found that it's still relevant in certain circumstances. It's up to you to weigh up the pros and cons.

To help you structure and equip your project office, we offer you this white paper :

One thing is certain, however: managing a large project or a substantial portfolio of projects requires the use of appropriate software. And the good news is that many of them can be customized to suit your needs, your company... and the working methods you've determined in advance.

For your part, do you prefer the V-cycle or the Agile method? Which project management model do you prefer?