Rolling Wave Planning
Rolling wave planning is an iterative planning technique where near-term work is planned in detail while future work is planned at a higher level, with details added as the project progresses.
Explanation
Rolling wave planning acknowledges that detailed planning is most accurate for work that will occur in the near future, while work further in the future should only be planned at a summary level until more information becomes available. As the project progresses and uncertainty decreases, future work is elaborated in greater detail through successive iterations of planning.
This technique is a form of progressive elaboration applied specifically to project scheduling and planning. Near-term activities are decomposed into detailed work packages with clear estimates and assignments, while more distant activities remain as summary-level planning packages. As the project moves forward, the planning horizon shifts, and previously high-level work is decomposed and detailed.
Rolling wave planning is widely used in both predictive and agile environments. In agile, it manifests through sprint or iteration planning where only the next iteration is planned in detail. In predictive projects, it allows teams to begin execution while acknowledging that not all requirements and activities are fully known upfront.
Key Points
- •Near-term work is planned in detail; future work remains high-level
- •Details are progressively elaborated as the project advances
- •Reduces wasted effort on planning work that may change
- •Used in both predictive and agile project environments
Exam Tip
Rolling wave planning is a form of progressive elaboration for scheduling. If the question describes detailed near-term planning with high-level future planning, this is the answer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Topics
Progressive Elaboration
Progressive elaboration is the iterative process of increasing the level of detail in a project management plan as more information becomes available and estimates become more precise.
Agile Estimation Techniques
Agile estimation techniques are lightweight methods used by agile teams to estimate the size, effort, or complexity of work items, including story points, planning poker, T-shirt sizing, and relative estimation.
Design Thinking
Design thinking is a human-centered problem-solving approach that uses empathy, ideation, and experimentation to develop innovative solutions that meet user needs.
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