PM and Construction

Matteo , Waterfall is good for that scenario as most large development projects such as roads have very detailed and precise requirements, risks, resources etc. and the requirements are not likely to change. We don't want to see daily scrums on the road with people saying what they did yesterday and what they will do tomorrow, as the answer will invariably be "um, keep laying the asphalt for another 10 miles".

In fact ! I perfectly agree with you. In large projects you need stable requirements. The later you change them the more costs rocket. Agile is also not suitable for the development of complex medical devices (my field) in which a minimum req. change induces enormous impacts on the regulatory side.

Stéphane, in that highway 50 example, is that really Agile or just planned in advance knowing that future traffic would require it?

As per my over 20 years experience in construction and different EPC projects, Agile Approach is required when you did not do bellow 10 major activity:

1- Bidding properly
2- Having the detail schedule
3- Monitoring and Controlling the procedure
4- Assigning weak project manager
5- Having Qualify Vendor for major procurement
6- Forecasting of major components such as oil price,etc. and impact on project
7- Value Engineering
8- Available Qualified Resource / Asset
9- Pre-Arrange for permits
10- Proper Histogram and Cash Flow study

Mounir

I have mentioned that Agile Approach is helpless in construction project. If you did not plan properly at beginning then you need agile approach but it is required to get authorization from sponsor / shareholders to implement as expenses can not be controlled...