Iterative and incremental development

Iterative Process Diagram

Agile Project Management by Planbox

Development-iterative

Iterative and Incremental Development is a software development methodology that combines the iterative design process with the incremental build model for software product development. This approach allows teams to break down the software development process into smaller segments, facilitating more manageable and flexible development cycles. It emphasizes repetition, where each iteration involves both development and refinement stages, allowing for continuous feedback and adjustments throughout the life cycle of the project.

Overview

Iterative and Incremental Development is characterized by the development of a software product through repeated cycles (iterative) and in smaller portions at a time (incremental), allowing software developers to take advantage of what was learned during the development of earlier parts or versions of the system. This methodology is beneficial in managing the complexity of software projects and accommodating changes in user requirements, even late in the development process.

History

The concepts of iterative and incremental development can be traced back to the 1950s, although they were not widely recognized or named as such until much later. The formal recognition of these methodologies began to emerge in the 1970s and 1980s with the introduction of various software development models that incorporated iterative and incremental principles.

Principles

The core principles of Iterative and Incremental Development include:

• Start with Simple Implementations: Begin with a simple implementation of a subset of the software requirements and iteratively enhance the evolving versions until the full system is implemented.
• Iterative Planning: Re-evaluate project priorities and plans at the beginning of each iteration.
• Flexible and Adaptive Design: Remain open to changing requirements and adapt plans as the project progresses.
• Early System Integration: Integrate and test the system early and often to identify and fix problems as they arise.

Advantages

Iterative and Incremental Development offers several advantages over traditional, linear development models, such as the Waterfall model. These advantages include:

• Flexibility in Requirements: It accommodates changes in requirements as the project evolves.
• Reduced Risk: Early identification and resolution of issues reduce overall project risk.
• Increased Quality: Continuous testing and feedback improve the quality of the software product.
• Customer Satisfaction: Regular demonstrations of progress and the ability to adjust features based on feedback increase customer satisfaction.

Disadvantages

Despite its benefits, there are also challenges associated with Iterative and Incremental Development, including:

• Management Complexity: It requires more management attention and effort to coordinate iterations.
• Scope Creep: Without proper control, the scope of the project can expand uncontrollably.
• Increased Overhead: The iterative process can introduce additional work and overhead compared to linear approaches.

Applications

Iterative and Incremental Development is widely used in various industries and for different types of projects, especially where requirements are expected to change or evolve. It is particularly prevalent in the software industry, but its principles can also be applied to the development of hardware, consumer products, and services.

See Also

• Agile Software Development
• Scrum
• Extreme Programming
• Rapid Application Development