Which planning approach is characterized by a flat cost of change throughout the project?

The planning approach characterized by a flat cost of change throughout the project is iterative planning. In an iterative planning environment, work is completed in repetitive cycles or iterations, and this structure inherently accommodates changes more fluidly than in other planning approaches.

As iterations progress, habits develop around redefining requirements, and teams can respond to feedback and emerging insights with minimal friction. The agreements established in the earlier cycles can be reviewed and adjusted in subsequent iterations, leading to a scenario where the cost of implementing changes remains relatively stable. This flexibility is one of the core advantages of iterative planning, making it particularly suitable for projects where requirements are expected to evolve over time.

In contrast, other planning approaches such as predictive, incremental, or adaptive planning do not inherently offer the same level of cost stability for changes throughout the project lifecycle. Predictive planning typically involves a more rigid structure that may lead to higher costs for adjustments once the plan is established. Incremental planning focuses on delivering a product in portions, but this can also come with varying costs for changes, dependent on the stage of increment delivery. Adaptive planning emphasizes responsiveness to change but may not maintain a flat cost structure as project needs shift.