The standard for project management

  

Annex A3

A3.5 CRYSTAL METHODS

Crystal is a family of methodologies. Crystal methodologies are designed to scale, and provide a selection of 

methodology rigor based on project size (number of people involved in the project) and the criticality of the project.

Figure A3-3. The Crystal Family of Methods

Life

(L)

Essential

Money

(E)

Discretionary

Money

(D)

Comfort

(C)

Criticality

(Defects cause loss of...)

Crystal Clear                    Crystal Yellow                    Crystal Orange                    Crystal Red

L3

E3

D3

C3

L10

E10

D10

C10

L30

E30

D30

C30

L80

E80

D80

C80

L150

E150

D150

C150

L300

E300

D300

C300

L600

E600

D600

C600

Number of People Involved

(Total staffing sizes +–20%)

1-4

6-20

20-40

5-100

100-200

200-500

500

LEGEN

D

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107

Crystal Methodology realizes that each project may require a slightly tailored set of policies, practices, and processes 

in order to meet the project’s unique characteristics. The family of methodologies use different colors based on “weight” 

to determine which methodology to use. The use of the word crystal comes from the gemstone where the various 

“faces” represent underlying core principles and values. The faces are a representation of techniques, tools, standards, 

and roles listed in Table A3-4.