PMP lesson · Delivery Approach · Choosing how to deliver · lesson 1 of 4 · about 7 minutes
Choosing the delivery approach: predictive, agile or hybrid
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Goal: After this lesson you can choose a delivery approach from the level of uncertainty, and explain predictive, iterative, incremental and agile life cycles.
1The situation
One project, two kinds of work
The robot cell has two very different parts. The steel frame, guarding and electrical panels are well understood: drawings exist, and changing them late means cutting steel. The MES integration software is different: users will only know what they need when they see the first screens.
Should the whole project be run the same way? No. The right approach depends on how uncertain the work is and how expensive late changes are.
2The key question: how uncertain?
Two kinds of uncertainty drive the choice:
Requirements
Do we know what is needed?
Clear and stable → predictive. Unclear or changing → agile.
Technology
Do we know how to build it?
Proven → predictive. New → agile/iterative.
Cost of change
Is late change expensive?
Steel, concrete → plan up front. Software → can change cheaply.
Exam shortcut: clear + stable → predictive · unclear, evolving, users will refine → agile · both kinds of work → hybrid.
3Uncertainty decides the approach
The more uncertain the requirements and the technology, the more adaptive the approach.
4How it looks on the exam
Exam-style question 1. Requirements for a new reporting system are unclear, and users say they will refine them as they see results. Which approach fits BEST?
A. Predictive
B. Agile
C. Waterfall with detailed upfront requirements
D. No formal approach
Show the answer and the decode
Answer: B.
In simple English
Unclear requirements that will evolve with feedback.
What is the question really asking?
The best approach.
Key words / trigger
“refine them as they see results”
PMP logic
High requirements uncertainty and value from feedback → agile.
Why the wrong answer looks attractive
Detailed upfront requirements would be written before anyone knows what is needed.
5Remember this
Your memory card
Choose by uncertainty (requirements, technology) and cost of change