HKSM
Adaptive Life Cycle
A type of project life cycle that delivers outcomes through repeated cycles and incremental builds.
Key Points
- Work is planned and delivered in short iterations, enabling frequent inspection and adaptation.
- Best suited for environments with evolving or unclear requirements and high uncertainty.
- Stakeholders provide regular feedback, and scope can emerge or change as the product evolves.
- Value is released early and often, reducing risk and improving alignment with business needs.
Example
A team developing a new customer portal runs two-week iterations. Each cycle they plan, build, test, and demo a small set of features, gather stakeholder feedback, and adjust the backlog for the next iteration, gradually expanding the portal’s capabilities.
PMP Example Question
A project has shifting requirements and the sponsor wants usable features delivered early with frequent feedback. Which life cycle should the project manager choose?
- Predictive life cycle with a single, detailed upfront plan and scope baseline
- Adaptive life cycle that delivers in short iterations and incremental releases
- Hybrid life cycle with fixed scope and predictive delivery across all phases
- Phase-gate life cycle emphasizing strict change control before each gate
Correct Answer: B — Adaptive life cycle (iterative/incremental delivery)
Explanation: An adaptive approach delivers value in small increments, welcomes feedback each cycle, and is ideal when requirements are likely to evolve.
