Delivery Cadence: Single, Multiple, Periodic, and Continuous Deliveries

PMBOK v8 Definition

Delivery cadence refers to the timing and frequency of deliveries in a project, determined by the selected development approach. Based on the development approach, projects can have single delivery, multiple deliveries, periodic deliveries, or continuous deliveries. Single delivery produces all outcomes at the end of the project. Multiple deliveries have components or elaborations delivered at different times throughout the project, which may be sequential or developed separately in parallel. Periodic deliveries follow a regular and fixed delivery schedule, commonly used in adaptive approaches. Continuous deliveries release value incrementally and frequently.

Why It Matters for the Exam

Delivery cadence appears frequently in PMI exam questions testing your understanding of how development approach (predictive, adaptive, hybrid) drives delivery strategy. Questions often present a scenario describing project characteristics and ask you to identify the appropriate delivery cadence or recognize which cadence best fits a given situation. Expect 2-3 questions on this concept in the Planning and Execution domains.

Key Points to Remember (for the exam)

• Single Delivery: All outcomes produced at end of project. Example: process-reengineering project with no deliveries until final rollout.
• Multiple Deliveries (Sequential): Components delivered at different times in a specific order. Example: new drug development with preclinical submissions, Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, regulatory approval, then launch.
• Multiple Deliveries (Parallel): Deliveries developed separately without requiring a specific order. Example: building security update with physical barriers, new badges, new key code pads developed simultaneously.
• Periodic Deliveries: Regular, fixed delivery schedule (monthly, semimonthly). Common in adaptive approaches. Example: software application with internal deliveries every 2 weeks and periodic market releases.
• Key Principle: All deliveries must be concluded to meet or exceed target business objectives, regardless of cadence type.
• Common Confusion: Confusing multiple deliveries with periodic deliveries. Multiple deliveries may be irregular and event-driven; periodic deliveries follow a fixed calendar schedule.
• Development Approach Link: Predictive approaches often use single or sequential multiple deliveries; adaptive approaches favor periodic or continuous deliveries.

Typical PMI Exam Example

A project to develop a new pharmaceutical drug requires preclinical submissions, followed by Phase 1 clinical trial results (safety), Phase 2 (effectiveness on 100-300 volunteers), Phase 3 (efficacy against standard treatments), regulatory approval, and launch. Each phase depends on the previous one. What type of delivery cadence does this project use?

Answer: Multiple deliveries (sequential)

PMI Exam Traps

• Trap: Assuming all multiple deliveries are sequential

• Reality: Multiple deliveries can be sequential (drug development) OR parallel (building security update with independent components)

• Trap: Confusing periodic deliveries with multiple deliveries

• Reality: Periodic deliveries have a fixed, regular schedule (every 2 weeks); multiple deliveries occur at different times but may not follow a regular cadence

• Trap: Thinking single delivery means no intermediate value

• Reality: Single delivery produces all outcomes at project end, but stakeholders may still receive status updates and interim reports

• Trap: Assuming all adaptive projects use continuous delivery

• Reality: Adaptive approaches commonly use periodic deliveries (fixed schedule) as well as continuous delivery

Important PMI Connections

Quick Review Questions

1. A software development team releases new features to customers every 2 weeks on a fixed schedule. What type of delivery cadence is being used?

2. A construction project completes the entire building before any occupancy occurs. What type of delivery cadence does this represent?

3. A project to upgrade office security involves installing new locks, updating access card systems, and adding surveillance cameras—all tasks can proceed independently. What type of multiple delivery is this?

4. What is the key difference between multiple deliveries and periodic deliveries regarding their schedule?

5. A pharmaceutical company must complete preclinical testing before starting Phase 1 trials, then Phase 2, then Phase 3, then seek regulatory approval. What delivery cadence characteristic is most important here?

PMBOK v8 Reference

Section 4.4 - Delivery Cadence