HKSM

A blended way of working that mixes adaptive (agile) and predictive (plan-driven) practices, chosen to handle projects where requirements are uncertain or risky.

Key Points

• Combines agile/adaptive and predictive methods within one project or product lifecycle.
• Use predictive for stable, well-defined, or regulated work; use adaptive for areas with evolving or unclear needs.
• Integrates governance from both styles, such as stage gates with sprints, backlogs, and roadmaps.
• Success depends on clear roles, interfaces, and metrics so teams do not work at cross-purposes.

Example

A company builds a connected medical device. Hardware and compliance documentation follow a predictive plan with stage gates, while the mobile app and analytics are delivered in two-week sprints to respond to user feedback. The overall release plan ties both tracks together with integrated milestones.

PMP Example Question

A project has highly regulated components with fixed specifications, but customer-facing features are likely to change as feedback is gathered. Which approach should the project manager choose?

1. Pure predictive approach
2. Pure adaptive approach
3. Hybrid approach
4. Rolling wave planning only

Correct Answer: C — Hybrid approach

Explanation: A hybrid approach lets the team use predictive methods for regulated, stable work while applying adaptive practices to evolving features.