The standard for project management

Figure 3-6. Agile Development Followed by a Predictive Rollout

3.1.7 COMBINED AGILE AND PREDICTIVE APPROACHES

Another approach is to use a combination of agile and predictive approaches throughout the life cycle.

Figure 3-7. A Combined Agile and Predictive Approach Used Simultaneously

In Figure 3-7, a combination of both predictive and agile approaches are used in the same project. Perhaps the team is 

incrementally transitioning to agile and using some approaches like short iterations, daily standups, and retrospectives, 

but other aspects of the project such as upfront estimation, work assignment, and progress tracking are still following 

predictive approaches.

Using both predictive and agile approaches is a common scenario. It would be misleading to call the approach agile 

since it clearly does not fully embody the agile mindset, values, and principles. However, it would also be inaccurate to 

call it predictive since it is a hybrid approach.

Agile

Predictive

Agile

Predictive

Agile

Predictive

Agile

Agile

Agile

Predictive Predictive Predictive

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Section 3

3.1.8 PREDOMINANTLY PREDICTIVE APPROACH WITH SOME AGILE COMPONENTS

Figure 3-8 shows a small agile element within a chiefly predictive project. In this case, a portion of the project with 

uncertainty, complexity, or opportunity for scope creep is being tackled in an agile way, but the remainder of the project 

is being managed using predictive approaches. An example of this approach would be an engineering firm that is 

building a facility with a new component.