Guide: Responding to Variability in Adaptive Planning (PMI-ACP)

What is Responding to Variability?
Responding to Variability is a core concept in Adaptive Planning. It refers to the ability to make changes or adjustments to the project plan as environmental factors and project realities evolve. This is critical in project management because projects seldom go exactly as planned.

Why is it important?
It is crucial because having a flexible and adaptable plan allows for a more resilient project management approach. This aids in mitigating risks, accommodating changes, and seizing new opportunities that may come up during execution.

How does it work?
Responding to Variability often involves revising plans, reshuffling priorities, and making informed decisions on the fly. It's about maintaining a balance between maintaining the course and making necessary adaptations.

Exam Tips: Answering Questions on Responding to Variability
May include real world scenarios where you have to choose the best course of action to handle a sudden change. Understanding the principles that guide Adaptive Planning overall, and how responding to variability plays into those, will be beneficial. Remember the goal of adaptive planning is to deliver value and deal with changes effectively. Hence, look for answers that highlight value delivery, flexibility, contingency plans, risk mitigation, or seizing new opportunities. Also, note that it's ok to change the plan if new information indicates it's the best course of action.