When starting a new project, one of the initiating processes is to decide which developmental approach to use with the project. A developmental approach is a “method used to create and evolve the product (Schwalbe, 2021).” Regardless of the project, a whole continuum of development approaches is available to choose from.
Type of Approaches
- Predictive project management requires the specifications up front, without chances to change before completion. This method is also known as the “waterfall method” because each step must be completed before the next can begin.
- Agile/Adaptive is following the Agile Manifesto (find and add). Agile is more focused on the mindset than the actual framework, which has resulted in many Agile frameworks to be developed. Overall, Agile frameworks are better for projects where the scope cannot be fully defined up front (Schwalbe, 2021). Agile frameworks have shorter sprints of work where everything is stopped and reviewed periodically to allow for stakeholders to continue to approve the project as it develops.
- Hybrid project management combines aspects from both Predictive and Agile management frameworks. A 2021 study found that over half of the projects they surveyed used a hybrid model for their management approach (Schwalbe, 2021).
Incremental vs Iterative
Additionally, development approaches can be described as either incremental or iterative. This image is a good visual representation of the difference between the two.
- Incremental is completing a working component at a time, building on top of the previous one.
- Iterative is completing the whole thing at the same time, with feedback from stakeholders after each iteration (sprint).
Choosing the Process
This process needs to be decided upon early on the project life cycle, ideally during initiating stage. A lot of the decision comes down the project manager’s and stakeholders’ WOW (way of working) preferences (Schwalbe, 2021). Other considerations should include the size of the project, the number of team members, and cadence.
In another study that surveyed projects between 2011 and 2015, only 11% of the predictive managed projects succeeded, as opposed to 39% of the Agile projects (Schwalbe, 2021). Agile makes more sense for most cases, but a small or specific project may have or need more structure.
Works Cited
Schwalbe, K. (2021). An Introduction to Project Management, Seventh Edition. Minneapolis: Schwalbe Publishing.
The book cited is also available directly from the author at this link.
Also check out part one (about my Scrum certification!) of this series here.