You are working with your project team in a way that ensures you analyze the requirements, then design, build and test for those requirements. You repeat this cycle, adjusting your product or approach as necessary, before releasing in one large feature at the end. Which project development approach are you using?
What It Not Correct?
The approach is not predictive or waterfall. While predictive approaches do release in one go, they generally do not improve and iterate over time. Requirements are locked in upfront and the solution is built once.
It is not adaptive or incremental. Both adaptive (agile) and incremental approaches deliver in small increments along the way. Users see and use features throughout the project, not just at the end.
What It Actually Is
You are using an iterative project management approach, iterating towards a single, successful release. Think of it like prototyping multiple models of a new car design before locking one in and manufacturing it.
The Defining Characteristics
Iterative development gathers feedback on the approach and the product during the project, learning from what you built to refine the product before release.
The key difference from predictive is that you are iterating and improving continuously. Each iteration builds on lessons learned from the previous one.
The key difference from incremental or adaptive is that you release everything in one final release rather than delivering features incrementally throughout the project.
The Timeline
Requirements → Design → Build → Test → Feedback → Refine → Repeat → Final Release
You cycle through this multiple times before the final release.
Why It Matters
Iterative approaches work well when you need to refine the solution based on feedback but you have a clear end point where everything is released together. It balances continuous improvement with a defined delivery timeline.
Know the difference between iterative, incremental and adaptive approaches and you can identify project life cycles confidently.
– David McLachlan
You can see what people are saying about David McLachlan here: REVIEWS
Navigate to Free Project Management and Leadership Articles through the links on the right (or at the bottom if on Mobile)
Also available are my Project Management Templates – they’re a great way to save 100s of hours when you’re first starting out:
 50+ Project Management Templates in Excel and PowerPoint (Excel Gantt Chart, Risk Matrix, RACI, Stakeholder Matrix and more!) |
 Pre-made Project Management Plan Templates: Save 100 HOURS! |