PMP · Question #460
A project for a new product launch is in a very initial stage and the requirements are evolving. Due to stiff competition in the market, the customer would like to launch the product keeping the scope
The correct answer is A. Execute it as a Scrum project. The project is for a new product with evolving, flexible scope and a need for rapid launch in a competitive market, making an adaptive approach most suitable. A Scrum project excels in such environments by embracing change and delivering value incrementally.
Question
A project for a new product launch is in a very initial stage and the requirements are evolving. Due to stiff competition in the market, the customer would like to launch the product keeping the scope flexible. The project team intends to start the work based on the forecast of a similar project delivered last year. Which project approach suits the scenario?
Options
- AExecute it as a Scrum project
- BExecute it as a predictive project
- CExecute it using the same approach as the reference project
- DExecute it as a project with stage gates
How the community answered
(50 responses)- A72% (36)
- B2% (1)
- C8% (4)
- D18% (9)
Why each option
The project is for a new product with evolving, flexible scope and a need for rapid launch in a competitive market, making an adaptive approach most suitable. A Scrum project excels in such environments by embracing change and delivering value incrementally.
A Scrum project, as an agile framework, is specifically designed for environments where requirements are evolving, scope is flexible, and rapid delivery of value is critical due to market competition. It uses iterative development with short sprints, allowing for continuous feedback and adaptation to change.
A predictive project (Waterfall) is unsuitable for evolving requirements and flexible scope, as it relies on detailed upfront planning and resists change, which would hinder rapid market launch.
While referencing a similar project for forecasting is useful, simply using the "same approach" as a reference project is not guaranteed to be appropriate if that project was not agile and this one clearly needs an adaptive approach.
A project with stage gates can be used in both predictive and agile contexts, but it's a control mechanism rather than a specific project approach that addresses evolving requirements and flexible scope directly like Scrum does.
Concept tested: Agile framework selection (Scrum)
Source: https://www.scrum.org/resources/what-is-scrum
Topics
Community Discussion
6
Zlatan X.Jan 10, 2026A is correct. Evolving requirements plus flexible scope and a competitive market pressure point directly to an adaptive, iterative approach. Scrum fits because it allows the team to refine requirements through sprints and deliver incremental value while keeping scope adjustable. B and D lock you into predictive planning, which contradicts the flexible scope requirement, and C is a trap since a reference project's approach is irrelevant when the conditions call for agility. The giveaway is that the customer wants flexibility, not a plan-driven delivery.
Brenda K.Jan 30, 2026I first leaned toward C because they literally tell you a similar project exists, but that is a trap to burn 45 seconds on. The real keywords are evolving requirements and flexible scope, which screams agile, and among the choices only Scrum fits. A is the quick win here, flag C if it trips you up, and move on in under 30 seconds.
Samuel O.Jan 25, 2026I first leaned toward C because using a similar past project as a forecast is what we do all the time when starting new initiatives, but the evolving requirements and flexible scope are the giveaway that you need an agile approach, making A the right call.
Orla P.Jan 26, 2026Agreed on A, and the other tell is that if it were just analogous estimating they would not bother mentioning evolving requirements at all, since that detail is irrelevant to a forecast based on past projects.
Orla P.Jan 27, 2026I first leaned toward C because the team was referencing a similar project from last year, but the keywords "evolving requirements" and "flexible scope" point to an agile approach, making A the right call.
Brenda K.Jan 29, 2026Agreed on A, and the similar project reference is a trap designed to burn your clock, so train yourself to skip straight to the agile keywords and move on in under 30 seconds.