Rolling wave planning is an iterative planning technique where work that will occur sooner is planned in more detail, while future work is planned at a higher level. It involves decomposing work packages into more detailed activities as more information becomes known about upcoming near-term events. Rolling wave planning uses techniques like decomposition and iterative scheduling with a backlog and allows for progressive elaboration of work packages, planning packages, and releases whether using agile or waterfall approaches.

1. Project Management
Key Concepts

2. Rolling Wave Planning

3. What is it?
Rolling wave planning is an iterative planning technique in
which the work to be accomplished in the near term is
planned in detail, while work further in the future is
planned at a higher level.
Rolling Wave Planning

4. Techniques include:
• Decomposition
• Iterative Scheduling with a backlog
Rolling Wave Planning
Rolling wave planning is a form of progressive elaboration
applicable to work packages, planning packages, and
release planning when using an agile or waterfall approach.

5. Why do we do it?
• During early strategic planning when information is
less defined, work packages may be decomposed
to the known level of detail.
• As more is known about the upcoming events in
the near term, work packages can be decomposed
into activities.
Rolling Wave Planning