Life Cycle and Development Approach Selection as Tailoring

PMBOK v8 Definition

Deciding on a life cycle and its phases is an example of tailoring; additional tailoring can be done while selecting the development approach for the project. Tailoring begins by selecting a development approach (e.g., predictive, adaptive, or hybrid), tailoring it for the organization and project, and finally, implementing its ongoing improvement. A suitability filter is a decision-making tool that helps project teams evaluate their unique circumstances and determine the best fit among predictive, adaptive, or hybrid approaches.

Why It Matters for the Exam

This concept appears frequently in situational PMI exam questions where you must determine which development approach fits a given project context. Questions typically present project characteristics (e.g., clear requirements, high uncertainty, or mixed deliverables) and ask you to identify the appropriate life cycle or development approach. The exam also tests your understanding that selecting a life cycle and development approach is fundamentally a tailoring activity, not a one-size-fits-all decision.

Key Points to Remember (for the exam)

• Tailoring Definition: Deciding on a life cycle and its phases IS an example of tailoring—this is a direct PMBOK v8 statement tested on the exam

• Three Aspects to Tailor: Life cycle and development approach selection, Processes, and Engagement (memorize these three categories)

• Four Steps of Tailoring Process: (1) Select Initial Development Approach, (2) Tailor for Organization, (3) Tailor for Project, (4) Implement Ongoing Improvement

• Suitability Filter: A decision-making tool (not a rigid method) that helps teams analyze project characteristics and determine the best fit among predictive, adaptive, or hybrid approaches

• Hybrid Example Tested: Building a new data center can involve predictive approaches for physical construction AND adaptive approaches for computing capabilities—this exact example appears in PMBOK v8

• Benefits of Tailoring: More commitment from team members who helped tailor, customer-oriented focus enhancements, and more efficient use of project resources

• Tailoring Begins with Analysis: Prior to tailoring, the project environment should be thoroughly analyzed and understood

Typical PMI Exam Example

A project involves constructing a physical building with well-defined specifications AND developing custom software with uncertain requirements. The project manager decides to use a predictive approach for the building construction and an adaptive approach for the software development. According to PMBOK v8, this is an example of tailoring the life cycle and development approach selection.

PMI Exam Traps

• Trap: Thinking "life cycle selection" and "tailoring" are separate activities

  • Reality: Deciding on a life cycle and its phases IS an example of tailoring—they are the same process

• Trap: Believing a suitability filter is a rigid methodology or procedure

  • Reality: A suitability filter is a decision-making tool, not a rigid method or procedure

• Trap: Assuming all projects must use only one development approach

  • Reality: Hybrid approaches are valid—a single project can use predictive for some deliverables and adaptive for others (e.g., data center example)

• Trap: Confusing "tailoring for organization" with "tailoring for project" as interchangeable steps

  • Reality: These are sequential, distinct steps: first tailor for the organization, then tailor for the specific project

Important PMI Connections

Quick Review Questions

1. According to PMBOK v8, what are the three project aspects that can be tailored?

2. A project manager is deciding whether to use a predictive, adaptive, or hybrid approach for a new project. What tool does PMBOK v8 describe for making this decision?

3. What are the four sequential steps in the tailoring process as described in PMBOK v8?

4. A project involves constructing a physical facility AND developing custom software. Which development approach combination does PMBOK v8 use as an example for this scenario?

5. Prior to beginning the tailoring process, what must the project team do first?

PMBOK v8 Reference

Section 3.3.1 - Life Cycle and Development Approach Selection
Section 3.4 - Tailoring Process (Steps 3.4.1 through 3.4.4)