CAPM Practice: Explain when it is appropriate to use an adaptive approach

Software development adopted adaptive/agile methods most widely because software requirements are inherently uncertain, customer needs evolve, and software can be modified relatively easily compared to physical products. Agile methods originated largely in software development and remain most prevalent there, though they are now used in many other domains.

**Why not A:** Civil engineering projects like bridge construction have well-defined physical specifications, predictable material behaviors, and strict safety regulations that favor detailed upfront design. The high cost and physical irreversibility of construction makes frequent iteration impractical.

**Why not C:** Oil refinery construction involves highly regulated, capital-intensive physical infrastructure where safety standards, engineering codes, and sequential construction phases make adaptive iteration both impractical and potentially dangerous.

**Why not D:** Drug manufacturing and clinical trials are governed by strict regulatory frameworks — including FDA regulations and Good Manufacturing Practice — requiring validated, documented processes. The linear nature of clinical trial phases and the regulatory demand for formal documentation make adaptive iteration unsuitable for pharmaceutical manufacturing, though agile methods are used in pharmaceutical IT and internal process improvement.