Sanplex provides a Hybrid Waterfall project management model that integrates the structured discipline of Waterfall with the flexibility of Agile. Within this model, teams can create Iterations and Kanban boards inside Waterfall stages, allowing for a customized approach that fits specific project lifecycles.

I. Creating a Hybrid Waterfall Project

When creating a new project, navigate to the project management method selection page and select Hybrid Waterfall.

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Fill in the required project details and click Save to create the project.

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II. Maintaining Stages

In a Hybrid Waterfall project, you first define the top-level (primary) stages. These primary stages function similarly to standard Waterfall stages and cannot directly host Iterations or Kanban boards at the first level.

After project creation, you are automatically directed to the stage setup page.

• Stage Types: You can choose from seven types: Comprehensive, Story, Design, Development, Test, Release, and Review. The available functional menus change dynamically based on the selected type.
• Templates: To streamline setup, you can configure default templates via Admin > Company > Model Configuration > Hybrid Waterfall Model > Stage List.
• Sorting: Stages at the same level can be reordered via drag-and-drop.

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III. Maintaining Sub-stages

The defining feature of the Hybrid Waterfall model is that sub-stages support the creation of Iterations (Agile) and Kanban boards (Kanban).

To add these, click the Create Sub-stage button in the action bar.

• In the creation interface, you can choose to continue creating a standard Stage or switch to creating an Iteration or Kanban board.
• Note: Once a sub-stage is defined as an Iteration or Kanban board, it cannot be further subdivided into lower-level stages.

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IV. Using Iterations and Kanban Boards

• Iterations: The functionality and workflow for iterations within this model are identical to those in standard Agile projects. For detailed instructions, please refer to the Agile Iteration Management guide: https://www.zentao.pm/book/sanplexguides/project-executions-1273.html
• Kanban Boards: The board management and card operations are identical to standard Kanban projects. For detailed instructions, please refer to the Kanban Project Management guide: https://www.zentao.pm/book/sanplexguides/kanban-project-1408.html

V. Key Functional Differences

Iterations and Kanban boards within a Hybrid Waterfall project are influenced by their Stage Type. This ensures that the Agile tools remain aligned with the overall Waterfall phase.

• Type Inheritance: The stage type of an Iteration or Kanban board must match its parent stage (unless the parent is the "Comprehensive" type). If the parent is "Comprehensive," there are no restrictions on the child’s stage type.
• Story and Review Types: These stages focus on planning and evaluation; therefore, R&D Story, Test, Code, and Release functions are disabled.
• Design Type: This stage focuses on architecture and UI/UX; therefore, Test, Code, Document, and Release functions are disabled.

VI. Other Integrated Features

All other supporting modules in Hybrid Waterfall projects follow standard Waterfall protocols. You can find detailed documentation for these features in the following sections:

• Project Design and Matrix: See Waterfall Design Management.
• Project Review and Configuration: See Configuration Management.
• Reporting and Earned Value Management (EVM): See Project Analytics and EVM.
• Investigation and Estimation: See Project Planning and Estimation.
• Issues, Risks, and Opportunities: See Risk Management.
• Processes, Metrics, and Test (formerly QA): See Process Improvement and Quality Assurance.
• Training and Meetings: See Team Collaboration.