Development Approach

The selected way to build and progressively enhance the product, service, or result across the project life cycle, such as using predictive, iterative, incremental, agile, or a hybrid mix.

Key Points

  • Defines how work is planned, executed, and adapted to create the deliverable.
  • Can be predictive, iterative, incremental, agile, or a hybrid tailored to context.
  • Influences scope planning, scheduling, estimating, governance, and risk management.
  • Should align with uncertainty, stakeholder needs, and organizational standards.

Example

A hospital software project uses a hybrid approach: predictive planning for compliance documentation and release milestones, while agile sprints deliver patient portal features in increments.

PMP Example Question

Early in a project, the team decides to deliver the UI in two-week iterations while managing integration testing with a fixed, phase-based plan. What is this decision formally called?

  1. Development approach
  2. Project life cycle
  3. Organizational process assets
  4. Work breakdown structure

Correct Answer: A — Development approach

Explanation: The development approach specifies how the product will be built and evolved (e.g., hybrid use of iterative and predictive methods).

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