Hybrid Approaches

Hybrid methodologies combine elements of traditional (predictive) and Agile (adaptive) approaches. This pragmatic approach recognises that no single methodology fits all situations.

Why Hybrid?

Best of Both

Governance when needed, flexibility where it matters

Tailored Fit

Adapt the approach to your specific context

Transition Path

Bridge between traditional and Agile adoption

Common Hybrid Patterns

1. Water-Scrum-Fall

Traditional phases with Agile delivery in the middle.

flowchart LR subgraph W1[Waterfall] D1[Discovery\n& Design] end subgraph A[Agile/Scrum] D2[Development\nMultiple Sprints] end subgraph W2[Waterfall] D3[Deploy\n& Release] end W1 --> A --> W2 classDef blue fill:#108BB9,stroke:none,color:#fff class D1,D2,D3 blue

When to use:

  • Fixed contract with defined scope
  • Regulatory approval needed at start and end
  • Hardware/software integration
  • Organisational constraints on structure

2. PRINCE2 Agile

Official hybrid combining PRINCE2 governance with Agile delivery.

flowchart TB subgraph gov["PRINCE2 Governance"] G1["Business Case, Stage Gates, Tolerances"] end subgraph del["Agile Delivery"] D1["Scrum, Kanban, Lean within stages"] end gov --- del classDef blue fill:#108BB9,stroke:none,color:#fff class G1,D1 blue

Key concepts:

  • Fix time and cost, flex scope
  • Use MoSCoW prioritisation
  • Sprints within PRINCE2 stages
  • Product Owner works with Project Board

3. Agile with Governance Overlay

Agile at the core with traditional controls layered on.

flowchart TB subgraph outer["Governance Layer"] direction TB G1["Reporting, Risk, Compliance"] subgraph inner["Agile Delivery"] A1["Sprint cycles, self-organising"] end end classDef blue fill:#108BB9,stroke:none,color:#fff class G1,A1 blue

When to use:

  • Agile team in traditional organisation
  • Regulatory or audit requirements
  • Portfolio-level reporting needs
  • Risk-averse stakeholders

4. Phased Approach by Domain

Different approaches for different project elements.

Domain Approach Reason
Requirements Agile Evolving, need feedback
Architecture Waterfall Foundational, planned
Development Agile Iterative, frequent delivery
Testing Agile Continuous, automated
Deployment Waterfall Controlled, scheduled
Infrastructure Waterfall Long lead times

PRINCE2 Agile Deep Dive

PRINCE2 Agile is the most formalised hybrid approach, officially supported by Axelos.

Core Concept: The Agilometer

Assess your project’s suitability for Agile on a scale:

Factor Low Agile High Agile
Flexibility on requirements Fixed scope Flex scope
Team collaboration Distributed Co-located
Customer involvement Limited Embedded
Ease of communication Formal Informal
Acceptance of Agile Resistant Embracing

Tailoring PRINCE2 for Agile

PRINCE2 Element Agile Tailoring
Business Case Lighter, benefits-focused, updated frequently
Project Board Empowered to make decisions quickly
Stages Shorter, aligned with releases
Work Packages Replaced by sprints/timeboxes
Quality Definition of Done, continuous testing
Plans Release plans + sprint backlogs
Progress Burn charts, velocity, visual boards

MoSCoW and PRINCE2 Agile

Prioritisation is critical in PRINCE2 Agile:

Priority Meaning Target
Must have Essential, non-negotiable ~60%
Should have Important but not vital ~20%
Could have Desirable if time permits ~20%
Won’t have (this time) Out of scope for now 0%

The “Should” and “Could” items provide the contingency. If things go wrong, these can be dropped.

Implementing Hybrid

Step 1: Assess Your Context

Consider:

  • Organisational culture and maturity
  • Project characteristics
  • Team experience
  • Stakeholder expectations
  • Regulatory requirements

Step 2: Select Base Approach

If you have… Start with…
Strong governance culture Traditional + Agile elements
Agile-experienced teams Agile + governance overlay
Mixed project types Pattern-based selection
Transitioning organisation Water-Scrum-Fall

Step 3: Define Boundaries

Clearly establish:

  • What is fixed (governance, reporting, approvals)
  • What is flexible (delivery approach, iteration length)
  • Escalation points and tolerances
  • Roles and responsibilities

Step 4: Document Tailoring

Record your decisions:

  • Why hybrid was chosen
  • Which elements from each approach
  • How they integrate
  • Any exceptions or special rules

Challenges and Solutions

Challenge Solution
Culture clash between teams Training, shared language, co-location
Unclear accountability RACI matrix, clear role definitions
Reporting mismatches Translate Agile metrics to traditional reports
Governance overhead Automate where possible, right-size documentation
Inconsistent processes Playbooks, templates, coaching
Stakeholder confusion Clear communication plan, education sessions

Hybrid Metrics

Blend traditional and Agile metrics:

Traditional Metrics

  • Milestone achievement
  • Budget variance
  • Schedule variance
  • Earned Value

Agile Metrics

  • Velocity
  • Sprint burndown
  • Cycle time
  • Escaped defects

Combined View

Stage Traditional Agile
Gate approval ✓ -
Sprint 1 velocity - 24 points
Sprint 2 velocity - 28 points
Budget at stage end On track -
Features delivered - 85% Must, 60% Should
Gate recommendation Proceed -

Hybrid Certifications

Certification Focus
PRINCE2 Agile Foundation Basics of combining approaches
PRINCE2 Agile Practitioner Applying PRINCE2 Agile
PMI-ACP Agile practices (supports hybrid)
Disciplined Agile (DA) Toolkit-based hybrid approach
SAFe Scaled Agile (enterprise hybrid)
Last updated: 13 January 2026