PM methods

Project management methods you can apply right away.

Proven methods explained step by step, each with an example, typical mistakes and answers to common questions. In Tasktopus AI you fill them in right on your project instead of hunting for templates.

Try the methods for free All 102 methods

Explained in detail

Twelve methods that help in almost every project. Each guide follows one running example: a website relaunch.

Pro and upAnalysis

SWOT analysis

Compare strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, then turn them into actions.

Guide with example → Free in StarterTeam

RACI matrix

Clarify for every task who does the work, who is accountable, who advises and who is kept informed.

Guide with example → Free in StarterAnalysis

Stakeholder analysis

Identify everyone involved, rate them by influence and interest, and involve them the right way.

Guide with example → Free in StarterRisk

Risk matrix

Rate risks by probability and impact and tackle the most important ones first.

Guide with example → Pro and upAnalysis

Ishikawa diagram

Sort the causes of a problem by the 6 Ms instead of stopping at the first explanation.

Guide with example → Free in StarterPlanning

SMART goals

Write goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound.

Guide with example → Pro and upPrioritization

Eisenhower matrix

Sort tasks by important and urgent and set one clear action for each.

Guide with example → Free in StarterPlanning

Work breakdown structure (WBS)

Break the whole project down into subtasks and plannable work packages.

Guide with example → Free in StarterPrioritization

MoSCoW method

Divide requirements into Must, Should, Could and Won't and clarify the scope.

Guide with example → Free in StarterPlanning

Kanban board

Show tasks as cards in columns, limit work in progress and spot bottlenecks.

Guide with example → Free in StarterClosing

Lessons learned

Capture what you learned at project end and turn it into recommendations for the next one.

Guide with example → Pro and upRisk

Pre-mortem

Pretend the project has already failed and find the reasons while you can still change course.

Guide with example →

Methods in Tasktopus AI

The toolbox is not a wiki. You fill in each method on your project, save it and print it. Everyone in the project sees it.

Starter: 12 core methods Pro and up: all 102

Fill in on your project

Pick a method, give it a title, fill it in. The method lives on the project, not in a folder. Everyone in the project sees the current state.

Print as a sheet

The “Sheet” view shows the method as in a textbook. SWOT as a four-field matrix, risks in the matrix, Ishikawa as a fishbone. With zoom and print.

Matched to the project phase

The method picker shows what fits right now at the top. At the start, say, stakeholder analysis and SMART goals, later risk matrix and RACI, at the end lessons learned.

Tako pre-fills, risks move to the register

For SWOT, risk matrix and other risk methods, “Tako pre-fills” adds entries from your project data. Risks you find go into the risk register with one click.

All 102 methods in Tasktopus AI

Sorted by group. Methods with a frame already have a detailed guide, more are coming.

also included in Starter

Analysis & Diagnosis 24

  • 5 Whys (root cause analysis)
  • 8D method
  • A3 report
  • Benchmarking
  • Burn-down chart
  • Burn-up chart
  • Business Model Canvas
  • Earned value management
  • Fault tree analysis
  • FMEA
  • Ishikawa / Fishbone
  • KPI dashboard
  • Pareto analysis
  • PESTEL analysis
  • Plan vs. actual comparison
  • Porter’s Five Forces
  • Root cause analysis
  • Scenario analysis
  • SIPOC diagram
  • Stakeholder analysis
  • Status report (template)
  • SWOT analysis
  • Traffic light report
  • Utility analysis

Planning & Structure 19

  • Elevator pitch
  • Gantt overview
  • Goal cross
  • Golden Circle
  • In/out-of-scope matrix
  • Iron triangle
  • Kanban board
  • Milestone plan
  • Network planning
  • PERT estimation
  • Planning Poker
  • Project charter
  • Project fact sheet
  • Roadmap
  • Scope definition
  • SMART goals
  • Sprint planning
  • Story mapping
  • Work breakdown structure (WBS)

Prioritization & Decision 10

Quality & Improvement 24

  • 5S method
  • Acceptance report
  • After Action Review
  • Bow-tie analysis
  • BPMN
  • Customer journey map
  • Definition of Done
  • DMAIC
  • Flowchart
  • Kaizen
  • Lessons learned
  • Opportunity-risk matrix
  • PDCA cycle
  • Post-mortem analysis
  • Pre-mortem analysis
  • Project closure report
  • Retrospective
  • Risk breakdown structure
  • Risk heatmap
  • Risk matrix
  • Risk register
  • Start-Stop-Continue
  • Swimlane diagram
  • Value stream mapping

Creativity & Collaboration 25

  • 6-3-5 method
  • Action item list
  • Affinity mapping
  • Brainstorming
  • Brainwriting
  • Communication matrix
  • Communication plan
  • Conflict matrix
  • Crazy 8s
  • Delegation Poker
  • Design thinking
  • Empathy map
  • How-might-we questions
  • Lean Coffee
  • Meeting minutes
  • Mind mapping
  • Persona method
  • Power-interest grid
  • RACI matrix
  • Sailboat retrospective
  • SCAMPER
  • Six Thinking Hats
  • Team Canvas
  • Team charter
  • Working agreements

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