Factors that Affect the Adoption of the Hybrid Project Management Approach: A Systematic Literature Review

The hybrid project management approach, which combines traditional waterfall methodologies with agile practices, has emerged as an essential approach that helps modern organizations balance project management with flexibility. As projects become increasingly complex and stakeholders have simultaneously been asking for predictability and adaptability, hybrid approaches are pragmatic solutions that realize strengths from many methodologies. This systematic literature review investigates the factors influencing the adoption of hybrid project management approaches that blend elements of traditional and agile methodologies. By applying the PRISMA methodology, 31 peer-reviewed relevant articles published between 2020 and 2024 were reviewed. Based on a review of the literature, six key factors were determined to be the most influential in the adoption of hybrid project management approaches: project complexity, team characteristics, project requirements, organizational culture, technological factors, and budget constraints. Project complexity was the most common driver, which forces organizations toward a hybrid approach that balances structure and flexibility. The findings show a relationship between these factors, and the adoption of hybrid project management needs to be holistic. This is crucial for organizations seeking to optimize project management practices in the face of growing complexity and dynamics.