4/4/2020 Project Life Cycle Iterative and Adaptive: Ultimate Guide

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 December 10, 2019  Seema Sonkiya Contact No. *

 Organizational In uences and Project Life Cycle, PMP®  21 Comments
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All projects across industries follow a life cycle approach.
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Often I have seen there are so many questions in mind for
many PMP® Certi cation aspirants on di erent types of life
cycles. Why do we need anything other than a predictive life Submit
cycle, which goes quite sequential and looks perfect? What
are these buzz words, i.e., iterative & adaptive? What these
new life cycles do di erently? Let’s clarify all these doubts in
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according to the PMBOK® Guide: What’s New In SAFe 5.0 –

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Predictive Life Cycle: A form of project life
cycle in which the project scope, time, and Bug Vs Improvement in S/W
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the life cycle.
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In summary, in this life cycle, we can predict the full ow of and scrum post certi ed scrum
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4/4/2020 Project Life Cycle Iterative and Adaptive: Ultimate Guide

have to work to deliver the right product. Earning Leadership PDUs for
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In this way, we can follow a sequence of work like:
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We start with requirement analysis and then move to the
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Here in this life cycle, each phase focus on one type of work.
And at the end of the last phase,  we deliver the nal product *Materials in this page are
to the customer. based on the A Guide to the
Project Management Body of
You can see we are sequencing phases of work. And, If we Knowledge, (PMBOK® Guide) –
need any feedback, it comes from the successor phase to the Sixth Edition, Project
Management Institute Inc., 2017
previous one.  Like Requirement Analysis gets feedback from
the design phase.

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4/4/2020 Project Life Cycle Iterative and Adaptive: Ultimate Guide

In this predictive life cycle, expected changes are minimal

because work is quite predictive and known. We can say the
life cycle is quite foretelling like technology is proven; the
team is matured in estimation techniques. Etc.

In other words, the team knows where they are heading? And
what they need to follow the sequence.  It is a plan-driven life
cycle, where we plan work upfront, and we make changes as
an exception. It’s like a yearlong project will have Planning,
Analysis, Design, Code, testing phases one by one and then
the nal result is delivered over a year.

We don’t expect the long feedback cycle where testing is

giving feedback to requirement analysis. If it happens, this life
cycle is not right for us.  This long feedbacks introduces a lot
of waste as we need to lot of rework in requirement analysis,
design, and development also. When we are developing some
new recipes, this long feedback is common, and we should
avoid the predictive life cycle. Here, we can see in this new
recipe, as things are not predictable, and we need a di erent
approach.  Now the question is, which life cycle is suitable
when requirements are abstract? The answer is the iterative
life cycle. We will discuss this life cycle later in this blog.

Now we are clear how this most common life cycle work. Let’s
go to the next step. What is an iterative life cycle?

Based on PMBOK® Guide:

“Iterative Life Cycle: A project life cycle

where the project scope is generally
determined early in the project life cycle,
but time and cost estimates are routinely
modified as the project team’s
understanding of the product increases.
Iterations develop the product through a
series of repeated cycles, while increments

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4/4/2020 Project Life Cycle Iterative and Adaptive: Ultimate Guide

successively add to the functionality of

that product”

This life cycle believes in creating multiple learning

opportunities. So, here, the goal is to take frequent feedbacks
before reaching the nal product. This feedback helps the
team to learn about the customer’s and other stakeholder’s
expectations. This life cycle understands that requirements
are abstract. And, real feedback comes when the customer
and other stakeholders can see some deliverable or part of
the product.

In summary, this life cycle says –

We cannot create a complete product using the approved
requirements only; we need to show and take feedbacks
frequently.  We need to learn continually and re ne the
product base on these learnings.

It is an example of repeatedly development and re nement

and makes this life cycle iterative. We move to the nal
product after continuous re nements or iterations. And, as a
result of feedback, we are open to the changes to any
developed part of the product. Changes are not an exception
here. these are welcome in iterative development.

We move to the next iteration after adapting the backlog

based on learnings that come from the feedbacks.

We deliver a result at the end of each iteration; we don’t wait

to provide a complete result or product at the end of the
project. We develop and re ne iteratively and demo it to get
learning opportunities. In this way, this process helps in
delivering the right product.

Like a yearlong project will have three months iterations. And,

each iteration will execute Planning, Analysis, Design, Code,
testing phases, and deliver the result at the end of the

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4/4/2020 Project Life Cycle Iterative and Adaptive: Ultimate Guide

iteration.  This delivered result may not be usable, but it is

shown to give a feel for the nal product. This feeling
encourages a discussion of a product that will really solve the
problem.

This discussion generates feedback and Based on this

feedbacks; the backlog is adapted. This creates a re ned
product using further iterations.

Now, the question is – when do we need this iterative

development?

We need it when requirements are abstract. And, we are not

con dent what exactly customer requirements are? We need
this life cycle where changes in the scope need to be
managed. To manage the scope, as we move based on
continuous learning, changes in this life cycle are naturally
implemented in upcoming iterations rather than an
exception.

With this life cycle, project phases proceed through sequential

or overlapping mode in every iteration. And, the end result is
delivered at the end of each iteration.

So, if we are doing something new and we need to see where

we are moving and how this product is going to look and how
will it solve –
We allow using that half-cook product before investing
further.

Now come to the incremental life cycle:

“Incremental Life Cycle: An adaptive

project life cycle in which the deliverable is
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produced through a series of iterations

that successively add functionality within a
predetermined time span. The deliverable
contains the necessary & sufficient
capability to be considered complete only
after the final iteration.”

In simple words, it is like we need to develop ten things, we

develop them one by one instead of picking all in one go. This
life cycle delivers features incrementally, and whatever we
develop, it is usable and consumable.

Ok, we now understand these three bits, i.e. Predictive,

Iterative and incremental.   This is pretty much everything one
can do, then what this adaptive life cycle is?

Based on PMBOK® Guide:

Adaptive Life Cycle: The project life cycle

that is iterative and incremental.

It means this life cycle is a mix of iterative and incremental

development. We add features incrementally, but they can be
changed based on received feedback.

Using this life cycle, whatever is we deliver–

It is usable like incremental, but we are open for feedbacks

and re nements based on those feedbacks. These
re nements can be done either in iterations or we can follow
a kanban or lean based approach.

For more details, on how incremental and iterative

development goes together in Agile, or what does iterative
mean in agile?

Do refer Incremental Or Iterative – Taking A Pragmatic

Approach

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4/4/2020 Project Life Cycle Iterative and Adaptive: Ultimate Guide

If you have a question about an example of an adaptive

strategy?

Then we can see, an adaptive life cycle is a change-driven. It is

an Agile way of doing things as it is intended to the high level
of changes. It needs on-going stakeholder’s involvement.
Here iterations are very rapid usually with a duration of 2 to 4
weeks and are fixed in time and cost.

This life cycle is used for projects where rapid changes are
expected and scope is not possible to de ne upfront. So,
change during the project is naturally handled in rapid
iterations.

Also, the end result is delivered at the end of each 2-4 week
iteration.

Like, a yearlong project will have multiple 2-4 week iteration

and each iteration will execute Planning, Analysis, Design,
Code, testing phases and deliver the result at the end of the
iteration.

Here is the comparative analysis between predictive, iterative,

and adaptive:

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4/4/2020 Project Life Cycle Iterative and Adaptive: Ultimate Guide

Let’s quickly recap the similarities and di erences of all these

three types of life cycles

Particular Predictive Iterative Adaptive

Stages/ Can happen Can Can happen

Phases sequentially or happen sequentially or
overlap sequentially overlap
or overlap

Stages/Phases Planning/ Planning/ Planning/

Analysis/ Analysis/ Analysis/ Design/
Design / Code/ Design/ Code/ testing all
testing all takes Code/ takes place
place testing all
takes place

Scope Defined upfront Defined for The scope is set

at the beginning upcoming in the form of
iteration features from
and high- which features
level vision are picked for the
for the rest current iteration

Change At initial Taken care Taken care even

phases/stages with less more rapid
can be cost impact changes every 2-

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4/4/2020 Project Life Cycle Iterative and Adaptive: Ultimate Guide

accommodated. during the 4 weeks with less

Cost overruns planning of cost impact
as late it comes the next during the
up during iteration planning of the
project next iteration
Lifecycle

Risk The risk of The risk of The risk of

change/ change/ change/
feedback is feedback is feedback is least
huge at later less as as iterations are
stages/ phases iterations too small and
reduce it reduce it
naturally naturally

Customer Customer Customer Customer

Feedback feedback is feedback is feedback is
received at the received at received at the
end of the the end of end of each rapid
project only and each iteration.
customer iteration Customers are
involvement is with which involved/engaged
more at the customers continuously
beginning and are
end involved
multiple
times
during the
project

Complexity Used for Used Used in a rapidly

projects where where a changing
the product to change in environment,
be delivered is objectives/ where scope/
well understood scope need requirements are
and to be difficult to define
complexities managed in advance and
and
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4/4/2020 Project Life Cycle Iterative and Adaptive: Ultimate Guide

are not there to complexity possible to define

handle reduction is small increments
required as
the project
progresses

Delivery/Value Delivery Delivery Delivery happens

happens at the happens at very rapidly after
end only once the end of every 2-4 weeks
and the each and customer get
customer gets iteration the value
value at the end and delivered very
customer frequently
gets value
early in the
project

This is how the world is moving, especially in the software

industry. The transition is happening from predictive to
iterative to adapt ve I .e.an agile way of working. PMBOK®
Guide also included avors of Agile in it in the form of the
adaptive life cycle. The ever-changing needs of customers and
the inability to foresee the market and predict the behavior
are the key driver to make this transition.

You can watch and listen to the live video presentation on

predictive, iterative and adaptive life cycles here:

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4/4/2020 Project Life Cycle Iterative and Adaptive: Ultimate Guide

Project Lifecycle from Agile Practice Guide - by…

by…

You can join the discussion on the same in our Forum. You
can also log in to our YouTube channel watch the video on
the same

Enroll to our FREE PMP® Certification

Introductory Program to learn more about PMP®
certification

ADAPTIVE LIFE CYCLE LIFE CYCLE PMP®

PREDICTIVE LIFE CYCLE PROJECT LIFE CYCLE

21 comments

Seema Sonkiya
FEBRUARY 20, 2020 AT 4:17 AM

Hi Dhilkesh,
Greetings!!

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4/4/2020 Project Life Cycle Iterative and Adaptive: Ultimate Guide

Thanks for your kind words, keep exploring iZenBridge

resources.

Regards,
Seema

Dhikesh
FEBRUARY 18, 2020 AT 5:19 PM

Thanks for the explanation. It is Cristal clear

Seema Sonkiya
DECEMBER 23, 2019 AT 11:35 AM

Thanks Michael, happy to know that blog was valuable to

you!!

Michael
DECEMBER 21, 2019 AT 5:09 PM

Fantastic explanation of the di erent lifecycles my

friend. I love the way you discussed it in terms of meal
preparation and delivery. That makes is so easy to grasp.
Thank you!

Seema Sonkiya
DECEMBER 10, 2019 AT 6:20 AM

Thanks Prateek for your kind words!!

Prateek Mathur
https://www.izenbridge.com/blog/project-management-life-cycle-iterative-adaptive/ 12/17
4/4/2020 Project Life Cycle Iterative and Adaptive: Ultimate Guide

DECEMBER 8, 2019 AT 7:42 AM

so well explained with examples that makes it even

easier to understand. Wonderful video… Thanks for
sharing.

Seema Sonkiya
SEPTEMBER 25, 2019 AT 8:15 AM

Thanks Roae for your kind words 🙂

Seema Sonkiya
SEPTEMBER 25, 2019 AT 4:45 AM

Hi Tinashe,
Greetings!!

These are di erent approaches. When you can predict

your requirements and when you can predict how to
achieve those requirements, you can use predictive life
cycle. In case, you cannot predict your future with 100%
con dence, in that case you need to go with adaptive life
cycles.

Regards,
Seema

Rose Hahn
SEPTEMBER 25, 2019 AT 4:10 AM

Thanks for sharing an informative post.

Tinashe Chikomo
SEPTEMBER 23, 2019 AT 12:45 AM
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4/4/2020 Project Life Cycle Iterative and Adaptive: Ultimate Guide

Thank you for the article. What is the general

relationship between predictive and adaptive life cycles?

Seema Sonkiya
SEPTEMBER 18, 2019 AT 1:43 PM

Hi Ashvini,
Greetings!!

Thanks for contacting us!!

Yes, In Overlapping next phase starts before the
completion of the previous one.

Regards,
Seema

Ashvini
SEPTEMBER 13, 2019 AT 5:01 AM

Iterative , adaptive & incremental as a life cycle is

explained here. I would like to understand the di erence
between iterative & overlapping phase & the de nition
of iterative phase. I came across these terms in PMBOK’s
page 19 as well as in 1 practice question. In overlapping,
more than 1 are active but their start dates & nish
dates are di erent. Is my understanding correct about
overlapping phase

Seema Sonkiya
FEBRUARY 12, 2019 AT 10:30 AM

Thanks Hitesh, good to you you found value in it.

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4/4/2020 Project Life Cycle Iterative and Adaptive: Ultimate Guide

hitesh sethi
FEBRUARY 11, 2019 AT 11:01 AM

Great explanation of the concept which none of the

books seem to provide in this way. Thanks a lot.

Sunil Pandey
SEPTEMBER 29, 2017 AT 3:38 AM

Excellent explanation Sir. Cleared all doubts.

Thanks u so much.

Seng Chye
SEPTEMBER 13, 2017 AT 1:44 PM

Simple & Clear cut. Yet all encompassing explaination.

Thank you very much.

Ashutosh Ghildiyal
DECEMBER 21, 2016 AT 7:28 AM

Thanks, the video did help in making the understanding

better. Also was looking for real example than general
explanation. Example like Construction of a house may
come under predictive life cycle, Construction of a Sports
stadium (in case this example is correct) under iterative
and for adaptive life cycle..?

Seema Sonkiya PMI PBA

DECEMBER 21, 2016 AT 5:51 AM

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4/4/2020 Project Life Cycle Iterative and Adaptive: Ultimate Guide

Please watch following video, it will give many examples

of adaptive life cycle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=mAqHTn7LnOg

Ashutosh Ghildiyal
DECEMBER 21, 2016 AT 5:33 AM

Can someone give a simple example/ilustration

of an adaptive life cycle

Saket Bansal
NOVEMBER 23, 2015 AT 10:37 AM

Thank you for your comment , checkout our discussion

forum for PMP related topics , forum.izenbridge.com

Nitika
NOVEMBER 19, 2015 AT 10:18 PM

Nice explanation. covered with a nice explanation and

perfect pictorial diagram. thanks again

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