📘 Horizon Planning in Agile PgM
Horizon Planning in Agile Programme Management is a way of planning at different levels of detail over time, accepting uncertainty and enabling change—while still maintaining control and alignment to the programme vision.
In simple terms:
> Plan in detail only what is near, and keep the future flexible.
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🔠The Three Horizons (most commonly used)
Horizon 1 – Near Term (Detailed Planning)
Covers short-term delivery
High level of certainty
Capabilities to be enabled soon
Detailed planning is appropriate
Projects and tranches are clearly defined
👉 “Only those capabilities to be enabled in the short term can be planned in detail.”
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Horizon 2 – Medium Term (Outline Planning)
Covers upcoming capabilities
Moderate uncertainty
Planned at high level
Priorities may change based on:
Early benefits realised
Lessons learned
Changes in business strategy
👉 Focus is on options, sequencing, and dependencies, not detail.
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Horizon 3 – Long Term (Vision-Level Planning)
Covers future direction
High uncertainty
No detailed planning
Driven by:
Programme vision
Business strategy
Expected benefits
👉 Acts as a strategic intent, not a commitment.
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🎯 Why Horizon Planning is used in Agile PgM
Horizon planning helps to:
Deliver benefits incrementally and early
React to changes in business environment
Avoid over-planning and waste
Maintain continuous alignment to business strategy
Balance control and agility
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🧠Exam-ready one-liner
> Horizon planning in Agile PgM plans near-term work in detail, mid-term at high level, and long-term at vision level, enabling early benefits while remaining adaptable to change.
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🔑 Key takeaway to remember
Near = Detail
Mid = Outline
Far = Vision
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