PMP · Question #238
A project manager has been assigned with initiating a large project to deliver complex equipment. Part of the project will be the result of a long research process, but once this is completed, the oth
The correct answer is B. Hybrid. A project requiring an initial long research process followed by incremental deliveries necessitates a hybrid approach to combine the structured nature of research with the flexibility of iterative development.
Question
A project manager has been assigned with initiating a large project to deliver complex equipment. Part of the project will be the result of a long research process, but once this is completed, the other part of the project must be incrementally delivered to the customer. Which approach should the project manager choose for this project?
Options
- AAdaptive
- BHybrid
- CPredictive
- DAgile
How the community answered
(24 responses)- A8% (2)
- B83% (20)
- C4% (1)
- D4% (1)
Why each option
A project requiring an initial long research process followed by incremental deliveries necessitates a hybrid approach to combine the structured nature of research with the flexibility of iterative development.
Adaptive approaches are fully iterative and incremental, which does not suit the initial 'long research process' that implies a more defined, sequential start.
A hybrid approach combines elements of both predictive (waterfall) and agile methodologies, making it ideal for projects where some phases require a stable plan (like research) and others benefit from iterative development and delivery (like incremental customer delivery). This allows the project to leverage the strengths of each approach for different project segments.
Predictive (waterfall) approaches are characterized by a sequential flow with all planning upfront, which is unsuitable for the 'incrementally delivered to the customer' part.
Agile is a form of adaptive approach, focusing on iterations and flexibility, which would not be the best fit for the initial long, defined research process.
Concept tested: Project lifecycle approaches (Hybrid, Agile, Predictive)
Topics
Community Discussion
7
Dervla O.Jul 5, 2026B is correct. The long research phase up front is your predictive piece, and the incremental deliveries after that are your adaptive piece, so hybrid is the only approach that covers both halves of this project.
Bao N.Jul 1, 2026B is correct here. The long research process is the predictive piece and the incremental delivery to the customer is the adaptive piece, so hybrid is the only answer that covers both.
Mateus R.Jul 4, 2026Bao N. nailed the split, and a plain way to remember it is a tailor fitting a custom suit: the measuring and cutting is the long predictive upfront work, while the fittings and alterations are the adaptive incremental delivery, which is exactly why hybrid fits and not some pure waterfall or pure agile answer.
Brenda K.Jul 5, 2026B is correct and the two-part stem is your giveaway, but I quibble with how they word it because mixing research with incremental delivery is practically the textbook hybrid case. D will tempt you since incremental screams agile, but the long research phase up front is the predictive chunk that makes this hybrid and not pure adaptive.
Mateus R.Jul 5, 2026I first leaned toward A because of the incremental delivery part, but the key is that the project has two distinct halves with different needs. Think of it like building a custom house where the foundation requires a long engineering study up front, but then the interior rooms get designed and built room by room with the homeowner choosing finishes along the way. That mix of predictive for the research phase and adaptive for the incremental delivery is exactly what a hybrid approach is, so B is the answer.
Lena V.Jul 5, 2026B is correct. The long research process is predictive, the incremental delivery to the customer is adaptive, so hybrid covers both halves of this project.
Mateus R.Jul 7, 2026Right with you on B, and the way I always frame it for folks is think of it like building a custom house where the foundation and framing plans are locked in upfront but the finish work like paint colors and fixtures gets decided room by room with the homeowner as they see the space come together.