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?
- Development approach
- Project life cycle
- Organizational process assets
- 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).
