Choosing Your Approach — Predictive, Agile, or Hybrid

The PMP exam tests all three. Modern PMs must know when to use each.

Predictive (Waterfall):

Scope, schedule, and cost defined upfront

Sequential phases; each phase completed before the next begins

Best for: construction, manufacturing, regulated industries, well-understood scope

Change is costly and discouraged

Agile (Adaptive):

Scope emerges over time; continuous feedback

Iterative sprints; working product delivered frequently

Best for: software development, R&D, creative projects, unclear requirements

Change is expected and welcomed

Hybrid:

Mix of predictive and agile elements

Example: plan the overall project with waterfall; execute phases with sprints

Best for: large complex projects with both stable and variable elements

Tailoring: Every project is unique. The PM tailors the approach to fit the project context — industry, organizational culture, team experience, stakeholder expectations, regulatory requirements.

The modern PMP exam: As of 2021, ~50% of questions are agile/hybrid. Must be fluent in both worlds.

Reference:

Wikipedia: Waterfall Model

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waterfall_model