Iterative design: Difference between revisions

InterativeIterative design has long been used in engineering fields. One example is the [[plan–do–check–act]] cycle implemented in the 1960s. Most [[New product development]] or existing product improvement programs have a checking loop which is used for iterative purposes. [[DMAIC]] uses the [[Six Sigma]] framework and has such a checking function.

One approach to iterative design is to use the highest level of abstraction for developing an early generation product. The principle here is that rapid development may not produce efficient code, but obtaining feedback is more important thatthan technology optimization. Examples of this approach include use of non-functional code, object databases, or low code platforms - these allow quick testing of designs before issues of optimization are addressed.

When properly applied, iterative design will ensure a product or process is the best solution possible. When applied early in the development stage, significant cost savings are possible.<ref>{{Cite journal |doi = 10.1145/42404.42408|title = Cost/Benefit analysis for incorporating human factors in the software lifecycle|journal = Communications of the ACM|volume = 31|issue = 4|pages = 428–439|year = 1988|last1 = Mantei|first1 = Marilyn M.|last2 = Teorey|first2 = Toby J.|s2cid = 2031965|doi-access = free}}</ref>

Observation and studies of participants show that kindergartners are regularly able to build higher structures, in comparison to groups of business school graduates. This is explained by the tendency for children to at once stick the marshmallow on top of a simple structure, test the prototype, and continue to improve upon it. Whereas, business school students tend to spend time vying for power, planning, and finally producing a structure to which the marshmallow is added.<ref>{{cite web|last=Jerz |first=Dennis G. |url=http://jerz.setonhill.edu/weblog/2010/05/the_marshmallow_challenge/ |title=The Marshmallow Challenge - Jerz's Literacy Weblog |publisher=Jerz.setonhill.edu |date=2010-05-10 |access-date=2010-08-10}}</ref> The challenge helps to build and develop prototyping, teamwork, [https://www.experientiallearning.org/the-marshmallow-challenge-a-facilitative-approach/ leadership and innovation skills] and is a popular [[Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics|STEM]] activity. The challenge was invented by Peter Skillman of [[Palm, Inc.]] and popularized by Tom Wujec of [[Autodesk]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Cameron |first=Chris |url=http://www.readwriteweb.com/start/2010/04/marshmallows-and-spaghetti-how-kindergartners-think-like-lean-startups.php |title=Marshmallows and Spaghetti: How Kindergartners Think Like Lean Startups |publisher=Readwriteweb.com |date=2010-04-23 |access-date=2010-08-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100821031127/http://www.readwriteweb.com/start/2010/04/marshmallows-and-spaghetti-how-kindergartners-think-like-lean-startups.php |archive-date=2010-08-21 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://engineeringrevision.com/302/the-marshmallow-challenge/ |title=The Marshmallow Challenge |publisher=Engineeringrevision.com |date=2010-05-02 |access-date=2013-08-10}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.selfishprogramming.com/2010/04/28/the-marshmallow-challenge/ |title=The Marshmallow Challenge |publisher=Selfish Programming |access-date=2013-08-10}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ucalgary.ca/science/node/1578 |title=Marshmallow challenge &#124; Faculty of Science &#124; University of Calgary |publisher=Ucalgary.ca |date=2010-12-13 |access-date=2013-08-10}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|last=Original Design Challenge|title=Peter Skillman Marshmallow Design Challenge|date=2014-01-27|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1p5sBzMtB3Q |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211213/1p5sBzMtB3Q| archive-date=2021-12-13 |url-status=live|access-date=2017-09-12}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

* {{cite documentweb|last=Kruchten|first=P.|title=From Waterfall to Iterative Development – A Challenging Transition for Project Managers|type=White paper|publisher=Rational Software Corporation|year=2000|url=https://sceweb.uhcl.edu/helm/RationalUnifiedProcess/papers/pdf/tp173a.pdf|access-date=2019-08-17}}