- 2069 Poush · 3 marks
Short note: Iterative development cycles
Short answer
Iterative development builds a system in short, repeated cycles (2–6 weeks), each performing analysis, design, coding, and testing to produce a tested, partial system. Features include handling risky requirements first, using feedback for adaptation, and welcoming change, enabling early problem detection and steady, visible progress.
Write a short note on Iterative cycles of development.
Iterative development builds a system through repeated cycles (iterations), each one a short, fixed-length mini-project (typically 2 to 6 weeks) that includes analysis, design, coding and testing. At the end of each iteration a tested, partially working, integrated system is produced, and the next iteration adds more features.
Larman recommends it as the basis of the Unified Process: development is divided into iterations, each with its own requirements, design, implementation and testing, and the system grows incrementally.
Iter 1 Iter 2 Iter 3 Iter n
+-----+ +-----+ +-----+ +-----+
|Anal.| |Anal.| |Anal.| |Anal.|
|Des. | -> |Des. | -> |Des. | ... |Des. |
|Code | |Code | |Code | |Code |
|Test | |Test | |Test | |Test |
+-----+ +-----+ +-----+ +-----+
small bigger bigger final
system system system system
Features
- Early, risky and high-value requirements are handled first.
- Feedback from users and testers is used to adapt the next iteration.
- Requirements are not frozen at the start, so change is welcome.
Advantages: early detection of risk and problems, early working software, easier change, steady progress that is visible, and learning from each cycle.
Difference from waterfall: waterfall does all analysis, then all design, then all coding once; iterative repeats a small version of all activities many times.
✓ Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort)
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