What is hybrid delivery?
Hybrid projects combine traditional/predictive methods with agile approaches.
The source material presents hybrid as a fit-for-purpose approach that can be shaped according to project risk and the need to deliver value.
Why use hybrid?
Some parts of a project may have:
- stable requirements,
- predictable procedures,
- fixed regulatory constraints,
while other parts may have:
- high uncertainty,
- changing requirements,
- frequent feedback,
- significant discovery.
Using one approach for every part may not fit the work.
Four example patterns
The hybrid material illustrates several patterns:
Pattern 1
Agile development followed by a predictive rollout.
Pattern 2
Agile and predictive approaches used simultaneously.
Pattern 3
A predominantly predictive approach with selected agile elements.
Pattern 4
A predominantly agile approach with selected predictive elements.
Selecting the approach
Consider:
- certainty of requirements
- stability of scope
- degree of change
- complexity
- risk
- delivery constraints
- stakeholder feedback needs
- regulatory or operational requirements
Practical example
Imagine a commerce platform migration:
Predictive
- contractual milestones
- data migration plan
- production cutover
- compliance requirements
Agile
- storefront UX
- iterative feature development
- stakeholder demos
- customer journey experiments
The project can use both approaches without treating the entire project as purely Agile or purely predictive.
Portfolio artifact
Create a one-page Hybrid Delivery Decision Canvas:
Project area | Uncertainty | Need for feedback | Constraints | Chosen approach | Reason