What is the essence of iterative development?

The essence of iterative development lies in the process of developing software in cycles, allowing teams to refine their products progressively through repeated iterations. Each cycle involves designing, implementing, and testing a portion of the software, which provides opportunities for feedback from stakeholders. This feedback is essential as it helps developers understand user needs better and make necessary adjustments before moving forward.

Iterative development encourages continual improvement and adaptation, leading to a final product that is more closely aligned with user expectations and requirements. This methodology contrasts sharply with creating software in a single large release, which can result in significant issues if the final product does not meet user needs, as there’s less opportunity for adjustment throughout the development process. Additionally, while documenting requirements and involving external developers can be part of a broader development strategy, they do not capture the core concept of iterative development, which prioritizes cyclical refinement and user engagement throughout the process.