Adaptive Approach

An adaptive approach is a way of running a project in which the requirements are expected to be uncertain and to change as the work proceeds, so the plan is refined continuously rather than fixed up front. Work is delivered in short, iterative cycles, and each cycle’s feedback shapes what comes next.

Adaptive approaches are the home of agile methods such as Scrum and Kanban. In the PMBOK Guide (8th edition) the adaptive approach is contrasted with the predictive (plan-driven) approach; many real projects combine the two in a hybrid approach, choosing the mix that fits the level of uncertainty.

Related: predictive approach, hybrid approach, agile.

Last updated: 4 July 2026 · By Tom, PMP-certified since 2004

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