PMI CAPM (Certified Associate in Project Management) Examination Content OutlineProject Management Fundamentals and Core ConceptsMedium
A project manager is leading a project to develop a new, innovative product. Due to the highly uncertain nature of the technology and rapidly evolving market demands, the project team frequently revisits and refines requirements, and delivers functional components in short cycles. Which project life cycle approach is being utilized here?
- APredictive
- BHybrid
- CIncremental
- DAdaptive
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Adaptive
Adaptive life cycles (Agile) are characterized by high uncertainty, evolving requirements, and iterative/incremental delivery, allowing for flexibility and rapid response to change. This aligns perfectly with 'highly uncertain nature,' 'rapidly evolving market demands,' and 'frequently revisits and refines requirements' with 'short cycles.'
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Predictive life cycles are for stable requirements and low uncertainty.
- B. Hybrid life cycles combine elements, but the scenario strongly points to a pure adaptive approach with its emphasis on high uncertainty and continuous refinement.
- C. Incremental life cycles deliver functional components frequently, but adaptive explicitly addresses high uncertainty and evolving requirements through iterative refinement.
Adaptive Life Cycle
A project life cycle that is agile, iterative, or incremental. The scope is defined and approved before the start of an iteration, but detailed requirements for later iterations are developed only as the project proceeds.
- High uncertainty and evolving requirements.
- Frequent feedback and adjustments.
- Value delivered in small, usable increments.
Memory trick: Adaptive adapts to constant change.