Iteration is about using incremental, often rapid, approaches in the development of a project, product or service while reducing risks. Developing prototypes, conducting tests and experiments can help identify the best solution.
It is about lowering the barriers for experimentation and allowing projects to fail forward.
- Rapid and incremental development
- Developing and refining prototypes
- Experimentation and testing
Projects should be segmented into clearly defined stages which are time limited and have manageable goals.
Understanding incremental development approaches, where each stage of a project builds on the one before it.
Models, sketches, mock-ups, sample versions of an approach can be used to explore its feasibility, and develop a project incrementally.
Understanding how prototypes can be used to bring abstract ideas to life, and provide a tangible example of how something might work in practice.
Tests and experiments provide a robust way of evaluating whether an approach works.
Understanding how tests and experiments can examine what works and what does not work.
Iterative and incremental approaches allow you to limit risks associated with testing out approaches or methods you may not have used before.
Understanding how iterative project management approaches allows new ideas to be tested on a small scale before trying to implement more widely.
- Business: lean processes
- Design: prototyping
- Software development: Agile