A predictive planning approach (also known as waterfall or plan-driven) emphasizes upfront

planning, thorough documentation, and clearly defined stages of work. One of its key characteristics

is that information is captured in standardized templates, ensuring consistency, traceability, and

formal approvals at each stage.

Other characteristics include:

Sequential task execution

Emphasis on documentation and traceability

Clear role definitions and responsibilities

Reduced flexibility to accommodate change mid-project

This is different from adaptive or Agile approaches, which rely on iterations, minimal documentation,

and continuous stakeholder feedback.

BABOK® Reference:

Detailed in the Business Analysis Planning and Monitoring knowledge area under “Approaches and

Techniques,” where predictive approaches are contrasted with adaptive approaches based on their

structure, documentation, and flexibility.