HKSM
Iterative Life Cycle
A way of working where incomplete deliverables are created in cycles, reviewed early, and refined based on feedback until the result meets expectations.
Key Points
- Produces partial versions of the product in repeated iterations.
- Seeks stakeholder feedback on unfinished work to drive improvements.
- Design and scope are progressively elaborated based on what is learned.
- Helps manage uncertainty by testing ideas early and reducing rework risk.
Example
A project team drafts a basic user interface for a new claims portal, reviews it with end users, gathers comments, and then iterates to refine navigation, wording, and flow. This cycle continues until the design stabilizes, after which development proceeds with higher confidence.
PMP Example Question
Which scenario best reflects an iterative life cycle?
- The team builds a rough prototype, reviews it with stakeholders, and revises it repeatedly before completing the final design.
- The team delivers fully tested features to production at the end of each time-boxed sprint.
- The team defines complete requirements up front, then executes the plan once with minimal change.
- The team limits work in progress and pulls items through a continuous flow without time-boxes.
Correct Answer: A — Review and refinement of unfinished work through repeated cycles
Explanation: Iterative life cycles emphasize early feedback on partial outputs and repeated refinement before finalizing the solution.
