Hybrid agile is a way of working where iterative and predictive methods, tools and techniques are blended to create a flexible way of managing projects.
The blending could happen within a single project, or across the portfolio. A portfolio can be made up of a mix of projects, some fully predictive or traditional, others fully agile. We’ve found this definition in use by project leaders who use it to talk about the project mix instead of an individual project.
Both agile and traditional, linear approaches have been around for a long time and project managers have taken tools and techniques from various project delivery approaches to create in-house methodologies that work for them, using the techniques flexibly to empower project success.
Many organizations will have multiple methodologies so they can run agile and linear projects in-house as required.
Linear (waterfall) methods are good for low risk projects with clarity over the requirements and deliverables. Typically, making changes to the agreed scope costs more the closer you are to the end of the project.