CAPMHard

CAPM Practice: Demonstrate an understanding of the various project life cycles and processes

Question 62 of 95 in Demonstrate an understanding of the various project life cycles and processes

Pick an answer below — you'll get the explanation instantly, no signup.

Samir Cardenas is leading a construction project with a fixed design and detailed plans created upfront. Hiro Nasser is leading a mobile app development using short iterations with frequent customer feedback. The team discovers requirements as they build each feature. Which statement BEST describes these approaches?

Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: Samir is using a predictive approach with detailed upfront planning, while Hiro is using an adaptive approach with iterative discovery

Explanation

Predictive (plan-driven) approaches define scope, schedule, and cost upfront with detailed planning before execution. Adaptive (change-driven) approaches use iterative cycles where requirements and solutions evolve through collaboration and feedback. Construction with fixed design is predictive; iterative development with emerging requirements is adaptive.

**Why not A:** This option reverses the correct classifications. Construction with fixed designs and detailed upfront plans is predictive, not adaptive. Software development with iterative feedback and evolving requirements is adaptive, not predictive. The reasoning provided in this choice contradicts the fundamental definitions of each approach.

**Why not B:** Not all modern projects use adaptive approaches. The approach should match the project's characteristics. Construction projects with fixed designs are well-suited to predictive approaches, while software with evolving requirements benefits from adaptive methods. Claiming both are adaptive ignores the fundamental differences in how these projects operate.

**Why not D:** Not both projects are using predictive approaches. While both have project plans, the nature of their planning differs fundamentally. Samir's detailed upfront planning with fixed design is predictive, but Hiro's iterative development with evolving requirements is adaptive. Having a plan does not make an approach predictive — it is the level of upfront definition and flexibility to change that distinguishes them.

Key Concept

This question covers Demonstrate an understanding of the various project life cycles and processes under Demonstrate an understanding of the various project life cycles and processes (Project Management Fundamentals and Core Concepts).

All 1,500+ CAPM questions are free