Iterative planning is continuous throughout the entire project, and every iteration signifies a distinct phase of the project that is sequentially repeated until the end-product is completed. The Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) examination emphasizes the competency of project managers in planning project iterations.
Defining Iterative Planning
Iterative Planning is an approach to project management where the work is divided into smaller iterations or cycles. These little sections of the project are planned and delivered throughout the project’s lifecycle. Iterative planning’s primary advantage is that it allows project teams to learn and improve as they progress through the project lifecycle.
Determine how to plan project iterations:
- Set the Iteration Length:
The length of each iteration could vary from one week to one month or more, depending on the project. The value of setting an iteration length comes from the ability to predict with reasonable accuracy what can be achieved in a fixed amount of time.
- Determine the Iteration Plan:
Each iteration should have a well-structured plan defined at the beginning. Often, this plan is finalized during an iteration planning meeting. Here, the project manager and team members select the features or tasks to be performed during the iteration from their backlog – an organized list of tasks yet to be done.
- Create measurable milestones:
To facilitate smooth project progress tracking and to engender a sense of accomplishment within the team, it could be beneficial to establish measurable milestones to be reached at the end of each iteration.
- Incorporate Feedback:
The end of each iteration also signifies a period for learning and making improvements. Project teams should take feedback from stakeholders regarding the outcome of each iteration, and use this to improve future iterations.
Iteration Planning Meeting
The Iteration Planning Meeting is an essential component in planning project iterations. In this meeting, the project team meets to decide on the tasks that will be undertaken in the next iteration. The project manager, in conjunction with the team, estimates the effort needed for each chosen task and prioritises them based on their dependencies and impact on the project deliverables.
Table: An Example of Iteration Planning
| Iteration | Tasks | Duration | Effort Required | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iteration 1 | Task A, Task B, Task C | 1 Week | 45 Man-Hours | High |
| Iteration 2 | Task D, Task E | 1 Week | 40 Man-Hours | Medium |
| Iteration 3 | Task F, Task G | 1 Week | 60 Man-Hours | Low |
The Importance of Review and Retrospectives
Having a review and retrospective at the end of every iteration forms an integral part of the learning and improvement process. During the review, the project team presents the work done to stakeholders, while in the retrospective, the team reviews their performance, identifies areas for improvement, and decides on actions to implement those improvements in the subsequent iteration.
Once completed, the project team begins planning for the next iteration, and this process continues until the project goals are achieved.
Plan your project iterations thoughtfully, incorporate feedback, and continuously improve. In doing so, you can be sure to maximize the effectiveness of your project management, geared towards a successful outcome in your CAPM examination.
Practice Test
True or False: An iterative planning approach involves planning and executing the project in small chunks or segments.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: In an iterative project management approach, the project scope and requirements are defined and redefined through the collaborative effort of self-organizing and cross-functional teams.
CAPM outlines which of the following as cornerstones of project planning in iterative models?
- a) Stakeholder desires
- b) High level work scope
- c) Estimated Project timeline
- d) Resource Allocation
- e) All of the above
Answer: e) All of the above
Explanation: CAPM outlines all the mentioned things as cornerstones of project planning in iterative models.
True or False: Each Iteration in an iterative project should be treated as an individual project.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Each Iteration should be treated as an individual project, capable of standing alone and adding value to the overall project.
What should be the key focus in planning an iteration in a project?
- a) Defining the end goal
- b) Detailing requirements
- c) Assigning tasks
- d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the Above
Explanation: Planning an iteration includes defining clearly the end goal, detailed requirements, and assigning tasks among other things.
True or False: Iterative planning provides more flexibility in managing changes compared to traditional planning.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Unlike traditional planning, iterative planning allows for changes and adaptability during the project, making it easier to manage changes while keeping the project on track.
CAPM advocates the use of which approach for iterative planning of a project environment with high uncertainty?
- a) Unstructured Approach
- b) Waterfall Approach
- c) Agile Approach
- d) Lean Approach
Answer: c) Agile Approach
Explanation: Agile approach is typically used in a high uncertainty environments as it supports iterative planning and can adapt to frequent changes.
True or False: In an iterative model, scope changes are welcomed and can be accommodated without major disruptions.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Since iterative models break down the project into smaller chunks, they can better accommodate scope changes without major disruptions to the project.
Iterative planning requires continuous interaction with stakeholders. These interactions include:
- a) Requirement definition
- b) Feedback management
- c) Resource allocation
- d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
Explanation: Iterative planning is a dynamic process that requires continuous interaction with stakeholders. This includes requirement definition, feedback management, and resource allocation.
True or False: In an iterative project, each iteration is planned at the beginning of the project.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: In an iterative project, each iteration is planned at the start of the iteration, not at the beginning of the entire project.
In an iterative planning technique, the iterations are characterized by:
- a) The same length
- b) Different lengths depending on the complexity
- c) Unplanned length
Answer: a) The same length
Explanation: In an iterative planning technique, each iteration is typically of the same length to maintain consistency and rhythm.
Interview Questions
What is the primary purpose of planning project iterations?
The primary purpose of planning project iterations is to break down the project into manageable parts, or iterations, to ensure efficiency, higher productivity, and timely delivery of project deliverables.
How does risk management factor into planning project iterations?
Risk management is crucial in planning project iterations. Possible risks should be identified, assessed and handled for each iteration. This allows for better risk mitigation and ensures that risks do not derail the entire project.
How does the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) guide describe the process of planning project iterations?
According to the PMBOK guide, planning project iterations is a part of the Project Schedule Management process. It requires identifying the activities and durations, developing a schedule model, and setting up sequence of iterations.
What role does Scope Baseline play in planning project iterations?
The Scope Baseline, including the project scope statement, WBS and WBS dictionary, guides the planning of project iterations. It helps in determining what deliverables will be completed in each iteration and ensures that all scope elements are accounted for.
What approach can be utilized to understand and assess the complexity of the project when planning iterations?
The Iterative Life Cycle Model can be a useful approach when assessing project complexity. The model allows the project to develop in stages or iterations and enables the project team to revisit and revise parts of the project based on learning from previous iterations.
How do resource capabilities influence the planning of project iterations?
The capabilities and availability of resources directly influence the planning of project iterations. Assessing resource capabilities allows for a more accurate estimation of the duration of each iteration, which can impact the overall project schedule.
What is the value of feedback in planning project iterations?
Feedback helps in learning from past iterations and refining future ones. It can provide insights into what worked well and what needs improvement, and allows the project team to adjust plans and strategies as needed.
How are performance reviews used in planning project iterations?
Performance reviews are used to evaluate the success of previous iterations and to make necessary adjustments for future ones. They can identify gaps, challenges, and successes, which can inform iteration planning and improve project execution.
What’s the importance of Iteration Burndown Charts in planning project iterations?
Iteration Burndown Charts are a valuable tool to track progress and visualise work remaining in the current iteration. This promotes transparency and aids in better management and planning of upcoming iterations.
Define Velocity in the context of planning project iterations?
In the context of project iterations, velocity refers to the amount of work a team can handle in one iteration. It’s used to estimate the duration of future iterations, helping in effective scheduling and resource allocation.
How can Quality Management techniques be integrated while planning project iterations?
By integrating Quality Management techniques, each iteration can be evaluated against quality standards. This supports continuous improvement and ensures the final product meets the quality expectations.
How does Change Management play a role in planning project iterations?
Change Management helps control changes that may occur during the execution of an iteration. By planning for changes, project managers can better manage their impact, keep iterations on track, and minimise project disruptions.
How does the concept of ‘minimal viable product’ impact planning of project iterations?
Minimal Viable Product (MVP) helps in planning project iterations by focusing on the most valuable features first. This allows for quicker realization of benefits, possibility of early feedback, and the capacity to enhance or revise in future iterations based on lessons learned.
How does stakeholder engagement impact the planning of project iterations?
Stakeholder engagement is crucial as their feedback can guide iterations planning. It helps in prioritizing deliverables, setting scope for each iteration and aligning the project with stakeholder expectations.
What is the role of project iteration retrospectives?
Iteration retrospectives are a way to reflect on the past iteration, discussing what worked well, what didn’t, and how the team can improve for the next iteration, leading to continuous improvement in the planning and execution of project iterations.
extutorials.com