Is agile incremental or iterative? cover image
Delivery Management

Is agile incremental or iterative?

Explaining the difference between increments and iterations and their implications for agile delivery.

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David Michel
Sep 29, 2019 • 9 min read
4.72 (32)
Product Management
Delivery Management
Product Vision
Product Increment
User Stories
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Summary

Incremental and iterative development are not the same thing. Here is an explanation of the key difference and why agile is both, using Jeff Patton's famous example of the Mona Lisa and Karl Scotland's concept of fidelity.

Takeaways

  • A company or team will need to decide if incremental, iterative, or both should be utilized when developing a new procedure or product. Incorporating both in the process will allow flexibility and enhance the chances that the process will be successful.

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