Agile-EPM: A Framework for Adaptive Environmental Project Management in Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030

Saudi Arabia’s ambitious Vision 2030 demands a rapid transformation of its environmental infrastructure, creating a unique paradox: the need for extreme velocity in project delivery clashing with the inherent complexity and long-term horizons of ecological systems. Traditional linear project management methodologies, while offering control, often lack the necessary agility to respond to emergent biophysical data and evolving stakeholder needs in this dynamic context. This paper proposes an "Agile-Environmental Project Management (EPM)" framework, tailored specifically for the Kingdom's ecological and regulatory landscape. Synthesizing principles from Agile delivery, adaptive environmental management, and local policy constraints, the framework introduces a cyclic, iterative approach structured around five core processes: Strategic Articulation, Iteration Scoping, Tactical Synchronization, Reflective Analysis, and Stakeholder Integration. This dynamic core is supported by three enabling pillars: Adaptive Governance structures, Agile Leadership competency, and Digital Integration. The framework's feasibility was validated through an expert panel of 15 senior Saudi Arabian practitioners, who confirmed its logical coherence while identifying contracting reform as a critical prerequisite. By shifting from rigid, upfront planning to an empirical, evidence-based delivery model, this framework offers a pathway to de-risk complex environmental initiatives. It provides strategies for navigating regulatory rigidity through adaptive contracting and empowering cross-functional teams to respond proactively to ecological feedback. Ultimately, suggesting a paradigm shift toward "adaptive sustainability," where project management methodologies are not just tools for execution but active drivers of resilience and long-term ecological value in the face of rapid national transformation.