{"id":59662,"date":"2021-10-28T14:00:05","date_gmt":"2021-10-28T19:00:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.projectmanager.com\/?p=59662"},"modified":"2026-04-28T14:35:21","modified_gmt":"2026-04-28T19:35:21","slug":"rolling-wave-planning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.projectmanager.com\/blog\/rolling-wave-planning","title":{"rendered":"What Is Rolling Wave Planning?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sometimes the whole picture isn\u2019t clear when you\u2019re planning a project.<\/span> But with a traditional project management methodology, such as waterfall, you set everything up first and then you\u2019re stuck with it.<\/p>\n

But the waterfall methodology is only one way to manage a project. Other project managers prefer a more iterative process, like scrum. Others still prefer forms of agile software development where they have room to adjust their project plan<\/a>. That type of agile project management is called rolling wave planning or wave planning.<\/p>\n

Rolling wave planning might not be for every project, but it could be for yours. Wave planning, project management software<\/a> and a skilled and experienced team might be just the combination to deliver project success for you.<\/p>\n

What Is Rolling Wave Planning?<\/h2>\n

Rolling wave planning is a type of project schedule that focuses on iterative work and frequent updates to the project plan. It’s a project planning technique for projects that don\u2019t offer all the data needed to create a plan or schedule up front.<\/p>\n

That doesn\u2019t mean the project starts without a plan. It begins as most projects do, with a work breakdown structure<\/a> (WBS) to the tasks, work packages<\/a> and deliverables within the project scope. The difference with rolling wave planning is that the WBS is filled only to the project manager’s current knowledge.<\/p>\n

The project plan<\/a> then evolves as more details become clear. This project planning technique is like putting the track in front of the train as you move forward. By doing this, work always moves forward in short sprints throughout the project phases, while project planning occurs in the background to offer guidance once those short-term tasks are done.<\/p>\n

Though most often applied to agile software development<\/a> or new product development, it can be used for other projects that might not move as swiftly.<\/p>\n

Rolling Wave Planning Benefits<\/h2>\n

A rolling wave plan is very helpful when the project plan has a lot of uncertainty. When you need to manage risk, rolling wave planning is set up to let you pivot as needed if any of those risks become issues. This gives you room to address those issues and resolve them before they become problems.<\/p>\n

Outside of risky projects, rolling wave planning lets you ensure you identify all key details for the project scope you\u2019re about to execute. This gives team members a clear picture of the work items they need to do in the immediate future of the project schedule<\/a>. That makes buy-in more likely, as well as accountability.<\/p>\n

Of course, one of the most important benefits of using a rolling wave planning technique is that it gives you wiggle room in the project. With traditional project management methodologies, you\u2019re often stuck with your plan. With rolling wave planning, the plan can change quickly.<\/p>\n

In order to make changes, one must monitor the project progress. ProjectManager<\/a> is a cloud-based project management software that tracks the project in real time allowing you to see issues and address them quickly. Our live dashboard is like an instant status report whenever you want one. Stay up-to-date on project progress and performance by trying ProjectManager for free.<\/p>\n\"Dashboard<\/a>\n

Which Industries Benefit From Using Rolling Wave Planning?<\/h2>\n

Rolling wave planning technique is suitable for projects where all the project planning data isn\u2019t immediately available and when the project execution is risky. Generally, rolling wave planning is mostly used for software development.<\/p>\n

But other projects and industries are a good fit for rolling wave planning and its iterative project management<\/a>. For example, research and development (R&D) projects. These projects are not structured to finish with a knowable deliverable. They\u2019re exploring and hoping to discover new products or services.<\/p>\n

Similarly, high-tech projects lend themselves to rolling wave planning. Any project that is devoted to innovation is going to constantly pivot to take advantage of opportunities. They\u2019re not on a linear path. They require the flexibility to respond as features change, but still provide the control needed to deliver any project successfully.<\/p>\n

Rolling Wave Planning vs Agile Sprints<\/h2>\n

We\u2019ve already mentioned agile sprints<\/a>, which are periods in which you execute tasks. They\u2019re also a highly iterative type of project planning. But are they synonymous with rolling wave plans?<\/p>\n

Well, both are iterative ways to work. They both involve having daily standup meetings before working on the assigned tasks. So there are similarities between rolling wave planning and agile sprints.<\/p>\n

But they are not interchangeable project management techniques. Rolling wave planning is a better fit when you\u2019re working with ordered tasks on a tight project schedule<\/a>. While it\u2019s true that rolling wave planning is only planning in the near term, the tasks are sequential and the deadline is firm.<\/p>\n

Sprints are a way to work in an agile project environment, which is not so focused on task sequences or the critical path.<\/a> Also, deadlines can be more flexible. Therefore, rolling wave planning and scrum agile sprints share some attributes, but they are different, and shouldn\u2019t be applied haphazardly. Find the one that works best within the framework of your project plan.<\/p>\n

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Rolling Wave Planning Steps<\/h2>\n

Rolling wave planning is a great way to keep your project meeting its scope, schedule and budget requirements while staying creative. It is often difficult for project managers to keep those two ideas in their heads. Meeting requirements means having a structure, and creativity is notoriously loose.<\/p>\n

But by learning how to do rolling wave planning, project managers can reduce uncertainties and keep a project planning framework that allows flexibility to work creatively. Project managers can track, schedule and update their plans by following these six rolling wave planning steps.<\/p>\n