HKSM
Iteration
A short, fixed-duration development cycle in which the team completes all activities needed to create and deliver value for a product or deliverable.
Key Points
- Has a predefined length (timebox), typically 1 to 4 weeks.
- Includes end-to-end work: analysis, design, build, test, and integration.
- Aims to produce a usable increment or clear, validated value at the end.
- Starts with planning and ends with review and retrospective for inspection and adaptation.
Example
A product team runs a 2-week iteration to deliver a new search filter. They refine the stories, design the UI, implement the code, write automated tests, integrate with the API, demo the result to stakeholders, and capture feedback for the next iteration.
PMP Example Question
Which statement best describes an iteration in agile project management?
- A continuous, pull-based flow with no defined end date.
- A fixed-duration cycle in which the team completes all work needed to deliver value.
- A single meeting used to review performance metrics.
- A multi-month release that bundles many increments for deployment.
Correct Answer: B — iteration (a fixed-duration cycle delivering value)
Explanation: An iteration is timeboxed and covers all necessary work to produce value. The other options describe flow-based work, a meeting, or a release.
