HKSM

An approach to managing a project where scope, schedule, and budget are defined and baselined early in the effort, and the work then proceeds according to that plan.

Key Points

• Scope, time, and cost are set early and used as baselines.
• Work follows a planned, sequential path through phases.
• Best suited when requirements are stable and well understood.
• Changes are tightly controlled through formal change management.

Example

A municipality commissions a fixed-price contract to build a bridge. The design, timeline, and budget are finalized upfront, and construction proceeds through defined stages (design, procurement, build, test) with formal approvals for any changes.

PMP Example Question

A project has clear, stable requirements and a mandated fixed budget and deadline. The manager wants to lock scope, schedule, and cost early and control changes strictly. Which life cycle is most appropriate?

1. Predictive life cycle
2. Iterative life cycle
3. Incremental life cycle
4. Agile (adaptive) life cycle

Correct Answer: A — Predictive life cycle

Explanation: Predictive planning establishes scope, schedule, and cost early and manages the work against these baselines, which fits stable requirements and fixed constraints.