What is rolling wave planning?

Rolling wave planning is an approach used in project management that involves progressive detailing of future work. This method allows project managers to plan detailed tasks for the immediate phase of the project while maintaining a broader outline for future activities that are not as clearly defined at the outset.

The essence of rolling wave planning lies in its flexibility; as a project progresses and more information becomes available, additional details can be added to the plan. This is particularly useful in complex projects where uncertainty is high, and specifics may not be known until later stages. By focusing on what needs to be done in the near term while keeping future tasks general, project teams can more effectively respond to changes and new insights as the project evolves.

In contrast, the other options refer to different concepts. Detailed planning of completed work is more about documenting what has already been accomplished rather than looking forward. A method of cost estimation is focused solely on evaluating project costs, lacking a direct connection to planning and scheduling. A scheduling technique generally refers to methods used to arrange tasks over time but doesn't encapsulate the iterative nature of refining a project plan, which is central to rolling wave planning.