User Experience
Iteration
Plain English
Improving something step by step.
Definition
Iteration is the glossaryProcessA process is a defined sequence of steps used to achieve a specific outcome.Open glossary term of repeatedly improving a product through cycles of testing, glossaryFeedbackFeedback is the system response that informs users about the result of their actions. It helps users understand what has happened and what to do next.Open glossary term, and glossaryRefinementRefinement is the ongoing work of clarifying, breaking down, and sizing backlog items before they enter development. It is where ambiguity gets resolved while resolving it is still cheap.Open glossary term.
In practice
Used in glossaryAgileAgile is an approach to product development focused on iterative delivery, collaboration, and adapting to change.Open glossary term development to continuously evolve products.
In context
It requires something to iterate against. Teams that change things every glossarySprintA sprint is a fixed time period where a team completes a set of planned work.Open glossary term without a measure are not iterating, they are redecorating.
The reality
Iteration is often mistaken for constant change without clear direction.
Compared with
Iteration vs Redesign
Iteration makes glossaryIncremental ChangeIncremental change is the practice of improving something through small, continuous steps rather than large replacements. It lowers risk and compounds over time, and cannot on its own move past a structural limit.Open glossary term with measurable effect. A redesign replaces the approach. Iteration compounds and is safer; only redesign gets you past a limit the current approach has reached.
FAQ
Common questions
A few practical answers to the questions that usually come up around this term.
What is iteration?
It is improving something through repeated cycles.
Why is iteration important?
It allows continuous improvement.
What does iteration involve?
Testing, glossaryFeedbackFeedback is the system response that informs users about the result of their actions. It helps users understand what has happened and what to do next.Open glossary term, and glossaryRefinementRefinement is the ongoing work of clarifying, breaking down, and sizing backlog items before they enter development. It is where ambiguity gets resolved while resolving it is still cheap.Open glossary term.
What is a common mistake?
Changing things without clear purpose.
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