Iterative and Incremental models - BogdanViblyy/Buketov GitHub Wiki

The Iterative Model emphasizes continuous refinement through repetition. Development begins with a basic, often minimal, version of the system or a specific feature. This version is then reviewed and enhanced through multiple cycles, each aiming to improve quality and performance.

• Cycle: Build → Test → Improve → Repeat.

• Focused on enhancing the quality and accuracy of the system over time.

• Each cycle delivers a more developed version, although not necessarily ready for release at early stages.

The Incremental Model emphasizes progressive system growth. The overall system is broken into smaller units or increments. Each increment introduces additional functionality and builds upon previously delivered parts.

• Cycle: Build → Deliver Increment 1 → Build → Deliver Increment 2 → and so on.

• Functionality is added step by step.

• Each increment provides a functional, though partial, version of the final product, with core features typically delivered early.

	Iterative Model	Incremental Model
Main Objective	Improve and refine existing elements	Expand functionality over time
Approach Focus	Refinement, depth, and quality	Functionality growth and breadth
Result of Each Step	Enhanced version of existing system	New, working components added
Role of Feedback	Used to refine current components	Used to guide the next functional addition

Modern development methods, like Agile, often blend both: delivering software in increments while using iterations within or across those increments to refine and improve features based on user feedback.

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