SDLC – Iterative vs Incremental

The iteration and increment terms are very confusing when reading the SDLC models based on Incremental or Iterative or incremental and iterative methodologies such as Incremental or evolutionary software development life cycle. In this article, I will try my best to clarify the main difference between these two terms.

Iteration

A iteration consists of all the phases, including the requirement, design, coding, unit testing, integration & system testing, and deployment of a standard classical waterfall model.

1. In the first iteration, the development team develops the solution based on the requirements and gives it to the users. After receiving feedback from the customer, they further enhance the first iteration and start work on the requirements for the release of the next iteration.
2. Each iteration output is like a minor release. However, the customer doesn’t need to use minor releases. They can use it internally and get feedback and start working on the next minor release.

Increment

1. It is like a major release of the software, and customer involvement is mandatory. A major release subsumes a set of requirements that were developed using multiple iterations.
2. In other words, we can say that each increment consists of multiple iterations.
3. At the end of the increments, the final software product will be released.

In conclusion, Iterations are minor releases of the software product, whereas increments are the major releases of the software product. These terms’ definitions are very suitable to understand Agile methodologies such as Incremental or evolutionary models.

In short: Incremental and Iterative approach: (Software Development Life Cycle Process Models): It means that the features or the requirements had to be identified beforehand. The software is developed over several iterative developments and each time deployed at the client-side, and the client feedback is obtained and refinement. Increment means the major release, and iterative means the minor release of the software product.

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Reference

1. Fundamentals of Software Engineering Book & NPTEL Video Lectures by Rajib Mall.

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