cadence
The consistent, repeating pace of work activities and events that continues across the entire project.
Key Points
- Establishes predictable intervals for planning, review, and delivery.
- Synchronizes teams and stakeholders on when work happens and value is demonstrated.
- Enables forecasting, transparency, and continuous improvement.
- Can be timeboxed (e.g., 1- to 4-week iterations) or aligned to regular events.
Example
An agile team operates on a two-week sprint cadence: sprint planning on day 1, daily stand-ups each morning, a sprint review on the last afternoon, and a retrospective right after. That predictable rhythm guides delivery throughout the project.
PMP Example Question
In an agile project, the team follows a two-week cycle with recurring planning, daily stand-ups, reviews, and retrospectives. What does this regular pattern primarily represent?
- The project's critical path
- The consistent schedule of recurring activities that guide delivery
- The backlog prioritization method
- The resource leveling technique
Correct Answer: B - cadence
Explanation: Cadence is the regular rhythm of activities that repeats across the project and structures how and when work is performed and inspected.
