Iteration

Definition

Iteration is a common technique consisting of the repetition of a work unit on an existing work product in order to improve it.

Discussion

Because application development is largely a human activity and humans are not infallible, we make mistakes that must be corrected. We are also not omnicient, so we do not know everything about the endeavor when we start it. Also, applications are typically so large and complex that they would be obsolete due to changes in requirements when completed if they were produced using a waterfall development cycle. Thus, defects are unavoidable and the development process must provide a means of dealing with these defects.

Objectives

The typical objectives of iteration are to:

• Fix existing defects in the work product.
• Adapt the work product to changing requirements.

Preconditions

Iteration can typically begin when the following preconditions hold:

• A (potentially incomplete) work product exists.
• Either a defect has been detected in the work product or the requirements for the work product have changed.

Completion Criteria

Iteration is typically complete if the following postconditions hold:

• The work unit has been repeated (i.e., performed).
• The work product has been improved.

Steps

During iteration, various rolls typically perform the following steps:

• TBD

Work Products

Brainstroming typically results in the following work products:

• TBD

Limitations

Iteration is typically subject to the following limitations:

• TBD

Guidelines

• TBD