iterative
Done in rounds
Iterative describes a process that repeats in cycles, with each pass building on or refining the previous one.
Software development is often iterative—you release a version, gather feedback, improve, and release again.
The iterative approach let us catch problems early.
In grammar, iterative verbs express repeated action: "flutter" implies iteration where "fly" does not.
Brief maximum-speed runs
- scrumContested pack restart
- backlogAccumulated unfinished work
- prototypingMaking preliminary models
- kanbanVisual workflow signal card
standup · retrospective · planning · velocity · product owner · test-driven · MVP · feedback loop
Curve closing on itself
- recursionProcess invoking itself
- convergenceProcess of approaching sameness
- optimizationMaximizing efficiency or performance
- computationMathematical processing work
heuristic · search · converge · sequence · termination · variable · pseudocode · complexity
Smoothing by friction
- improvementPositive change in quality
- tweakingSlight adjustment process
- fine-tuningSmall precise optimization adjustments
- revisionAltering to improve
adjustment · enhancement · correction · reworking · redrafting · honing · drafting · editing
Developing slowly over time
- stepwiseProceeding by degrees
- progressiveFavoring reform and innovation
- sequentialOccurring in succession
- phasedIntroduced or removed incrementally
cumulative · successive · additive · layered · modular · building · enhancing · bit-by-bit
First functional specimen
- wireframeEdge-only geometric model
- mockupPreliminary design representation
- feedbackReturned response data
- sketchHasty informal drawing
user testing · concept · revision · usability · A/B testing · user research · design thinking · rapid prototyping
sprints
Brief maximum-speed runs
- scrumContested pack restart
- backlogAccumulated unfinished work
- prototypingMaking preliminary models
kanban · standup · retrospective · planning · velocity · product owner · test-driven · MVP · feedback loop · release cycle
loop
Curve closing on itself
- recursionProcess invoking itself
- convergenceProcess of approaching sameness
- optimizationMaximizing efficiency or performance
computation · heuristic · search · converge · sequence · termination · variable · pseudocode · complexity · efficiency
polishing
Smoothing by friction
- improvementPositive change in quality
- tweakingSlight adjustment process
- fine-tuningSmall precise optimization adjustments
revision · adjustment · enhancement · correction · reworking · redrafting · honing · drafting · editing · calibration
gradual
Developing slowly over time
- stepwiseProceeding by degrees
- progressiveFavoring reform and innovation
- sequentialOccurring in succession
phased · cumulative · successive · additive · layered · modular · building · enhancing · bit-by-bit · piecemeal
prototype
First functional specimen
- wireframeEdge-only geometric model
- mockupPreliminary design representation
- feedbackReturned response data
user testing · sketch · concept · revision · usability · A/B testing · user research · design thinking · rapid prototyping · human-centered
- repetitionagain, repeated, recurring, recurrence, redo
- tech methodsagile, debugging, scrum, testing, kanban
- technical adjectivesadjustable, modular, portable, durable, automated
- complex patternsfractals, recursion, chaos, turbulence, spirals
- algorithmsalgorithm, algorithms, DFS, binary search, A star
- methodologiesScrum, incremental, spiral, RAD, XP
iterativeone-shot
Occurring just once
one-time · nonrepetitive · linear · non-recurring · unrepeated
iterativewaterfall
Descending river over precipice
big bang · sequential · linear · phased · top-down
iterativefinal
Last and decisive
definitive · conclusive · ultimate · finished · complete
- iterative designRefining through repeated cycles
- new iterationSuccessive modified version
- iterative processMethod of successive refinements
- design iterationRepeated refinement of concept
iteration, reiteration, iterations, iterating, iteratively, reiterations