Rolling wave planning is a process where project planning occurs in iterative waves as a project progresses and more details become available. In agile project management, rolling wave planning allows requirements to be enhanced for each iteration, enabling adjustments as needed. Agile uses multiple planning events at different levels from strategic goals to daily standups to iteratively scope solutions and deliver customer value through prioritized increments while maintaining flexibility.

1. Rolling Wave Planning
in
Agile Project Management
Candi Rai
Tim Welker
@ PDD Columbus 2016

2. Agenda
 Rolling Wave Planning
 Agile project management
 Rolling wave planning in Agile
 Case Study

3. Rolling Wave Planning
Rolling Wave Planning is the process of project planning in waves as the project
proceeds and later details become clearer.[1]
Work to be done in the near term is based on high level assumptions; also, high
level milestones are set. As the project progresses, the risks, assumptions, and
milestones originally identified become more defined and reliable.
References
1. Larman, Craig (2004). "Chapter 11: Practice Tips". Agile and Iterative Development: A Manager's Guide. p. 253. ISBN 9780131111554. Retrieved Oct 14, 2013.

4. Rolling Wave Planning
One would use Rolling Wave Planning in an instance where there is an
extremely tight schedule or timeline to adhere to; whereas more thorough
planning would have placed the schedule into an unacceptable negative
schedule variance.

5. Rolling Wave Planning
This is an approach that iteratively plans for a project as it unfolds, similar to the
techniques used in Scrum (development) and other forms of Agile software
development. The concepts of Rolling Wave Planning and Progressive
Elaboration are techniques within the PMBOK Define Activities process[1] and it
also describes how the Project Management Plan evolves.
References
1.. "A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge", section 6.1.2.2 pg 135".

6. Key Agile Principles
 Focus on Customer Value
 Small Working Increments
 Integrated Team
 Continuous Improvement

7. Agile Project Management
Enable project team to rapidly and reliably deliver customer value
 Designed-to-fit with flexibility to change
 Iterative and incremental delivery
 Light-weight efficient processes
 Continuous Improvement

8. Layers of Agile Planning
Make decisions at the last responsible moment, when the most possible
information is available to maximize flexibility and planning accuracy
Level of Planning Planning Event
Strategic business goals Project Rapid Alignment
Specific problems to solve Iterative Solution Scoping
Intermediate business goals Release Planning
Incremental functional goals Iteration Planning
Tactical organization & execution Daily Standup

9. Rapid Alignment
 What business objectives will the project fulfill?
 How to deliver these values incrementally?
 Focus on quick alignment of expectations, solution, stakeholders,
and technical design

10. Iterative Solution Scoping
 Use story
 Architectural design
 Focus on priority of customer value

11. Planning Releases
 Story maps
 Key customer milestones
 Dependencies

12. Inspect & Adapt
 Velocity
 Predictability

13. Takeaways
 Rolling Wave Planning is the process of project planning in waves as
the project proceeds and later details become clearer.
 Agile project management enables the project team to rapidly and
reliably deliver customer value
 Rolling wave planning in Agile allows for the iterative cycle in
developing code as the requirements are enhanced for the next
cycle, enabling adjustments to be made as needed.

14. Q&A