Thread by @swardley

X : Are you against agile?
Me : Eh, what? I'm a huge fan of XP, been using it since before the Agile Manifesto.
X : But you often say other techniques are more appropriate.
Me : They can be. Depends on context i.e.

... so when you build a large project, you often find yourself using mutliple methods at the same time. That's a good thing.
X : Isn't that complex. Won't one method be better?

Me : No. You can never have one method apply across the lot. The problem is that the meaning of project management covers multiple competencies which have evolved to be good in specific contexts (instances of an evolving thing) ...

... so we constantly puruse the "one" project management method but it simply will never exist because we're talking materially different instances with different characteristics. Hence the principle - "use appropriate methods"

X : Principles are like values?
Me : No. But let us not complicate things too much. Values are things we believe. Principles are practices that have turned out to be universally useful.

Me : There are about 40 principles that I know of, which I've put together in this handy doctrine table ... doctrine being a collection of principles. I've even marked off "use appropriate methods" for you. I'd recommend doing the lot. In order ... phase I then phase II etc.

X : What about strategy,
Me : A few minutes ago I was having to explain to you why one method doesn't work everywhere. Trust me, you're a decade away from touching the subject of strategy. You've a lot of learning to do.