In agile software development, an iteration is a set amount of time reserved for development. Typical iterations last 1-2 weeks, however, some may go as long as 4 weeks. Most agile development teams agree on the length of their iterations and proceed to operate on an iteration-by-iteration basis. Show
Even though sprints and iterations have a lot in common and are often used interchangeably, there is a difference between them. Both terms are linked to scrum, a modern project management framework, and follow a specific timeframe during which planned work should be completed, but they're not the same. Sprints are more focused on productivity techniques developed by a group of individuals working on the same project. Iterations describe a development and planning process where a project is developed in small sections. In this article, we will dive into the comparison between iteration vs. sprint and thoroughly explain them. What is an iteration in scrum?An iteration in agile is a time-box during which development takes place. The duration may vary, usually between 1-4 weeks, and in most cases, it's fixed for the duration of a particular project. A crucial aspect of the agile approach is the underlying assumption that a project is exclusively made of a sequence of iterations, maybe except for a very brief "planning and vision" phase before the development process takes place. Generally, iterations follow calendar weeks, starting on Mondays ending on Fridays. We should mention that this is more convenient than a recommendation, but different teams adopt different conventions. The fixed length of an iteration provides teams an opportunity to get, based on the amount of work remaining, an accurate estimate of how long it takes until the project is completed. Throughout decades, the scrum community has used the term "sprint", but iteration and sprint are applied interchangeably on projects nowadays, without a specific connotation attached to one or another. Iteration offers a predictable, regular cadence for teams to increment value and improve those previously developed increments. These short periods assist product managers, product owners, and stakeholders to frequently evaluate and test business and technical hypotheses in a working system. Iteration lengthThe agile community still hasn't agreed on the ideal iteration length. The Scrum method suggests up to four weeks, while others imply 1-2 weeks. When choosing a standard iteration length, you should think about how well your team is compatible with agile. For instance, teams that are new to the agile method should begin with longer iteration, and those who are well familiar with agile can choose shorter iterations. Beware - the shorter the iteration is, the more teams need to rely on automated tools to help them with their project. The value that teams receive through shorter vs. longer iteration length is another thing to consider. Suppose you have limited opportunities to get in touch with the stakeholders and sponsors to capture feedback or make end-of-iteration demonstrations. In that case, a longer length might be more suitable.
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Sorry, we could not subscribe you at this moment. please double check your email address. If issue still persist, please let us know by sending an email to On the other hand, suppose you are dealing with a sponsor who's very concerned about minimizing the project's risks, or you want to build trust by delivering value rapidly in the early stage of the project. In that case, you might go for shorter iterations. You must consider how to optimize your delivery of business value via iteration length. We measure business value in dollars, but it can also involve other elements such as rapid learning, improvements in service levels, risk reduction, strengthening relationships, and many more. What is a sprint?Now that we know what iterations are, we can explain sprints more easily. A sprint is a single time-boxed iteration of a continuous development cycle. When it comes to sprints, the team needs to complete all the planned work within a designated time frame and prepare it for a review. Sprint means a short race at full speed. That's why teams usually define a short duration of the sprint, mostly up to four weeks. Together, team members and product owners set their sprint goals. As soon as this race starts, the team works tirelessly to finish the planned work and prepare it for a review. What happens during a sprint?Sprint planningSprint planning is the beginning of the sprint process. The development team, scrum master, and the product owner all participate during this stage. Others may join as well when both team and product owner agree it's appropriate. The scrum master will provide data on the team's most recent and average velocity during this meeting. The product owner will focus on the product backlog, and they may also suggest a draft sprint goal, which could be revised through the planning process. Daily scrumThe daily scrum is a daily meeting in which team members synchronize their efforts. Daily scrums ensure that the right people are doing the right thing at the right time. Each participant will address the following topics:
Each daily meeting is limited to 15 minutes, and it has the goal to synchronize efforts and provide an update. Sprint reviewThe sprint review usually occurs on the last day of the sprint, and the product owner, development team, scrum master, and any appropriate stakeholders should attend this meeting. During the sprint review, all the product backlog items that are completed should be presented. The team usually doesn't show work that's still in progress. The goal of this review is to obtain feedback on what was built during the sprint. The product owner will consider all feedback and make appropriate changes if needed. What is a sprint cadence?Cadence is often defined as rhythmical flow or a pulse. Therefore, we can say that sprint cadence is the pulse of sprint start, finish, and outcome. Sprint cadence contains the following crucial parameters:
While the first two are fairly obvious, the 3rd and 4th are significant points. If the sprint deliverables don't accomplish the definition of done, then cadence project management doesn't have a purpose, and it won't help. Only if all four parameters are met, the sprint cadence will be beneficial. What is the difference between iteration and sprint?Even though many people are confused by these terms and consider them the same, they are slightly different. A sprint is a short, time-boxed period, during which the scrum team needs to complete a designated amount of work. Sprints are the very heart of agile and scrum methodologies, and getting sprints right will assist your agile team in shipping a better product with fewer headaches. On the other hand, an iteration is a defined time-box applied in an iterative project model. In this case, the entire solution is developed throughout a project. Simultaneously, snapshot views or "work in progress" are presented to stakeholders or sponsors for feedback at the end of each time cycle or iteration.
In order to continue enjoying our site, we ask that you confirm your identity as a human. Thank you very much for your cooperation. Think of iterations as post-it notes on a timeline. Each one will have small, specific, time-restricted tasks that help organize a project and create a rhythm for your teams to follow. This is often achieved using working stories, where developers define:
Once these are outlined, a process can be developed that will incorporate the functions of specific iterations. With that process, development teams will be able to check an iteration and look at reports to determine if it is completed - and troubleshoot if it’s not. The good news is that there won’t be any consequences for incomplete tasks. They can simply be moved over to the next iteration and act as an insight into where future processes can be improved. How do iteration reviews function?When you need to build a digital product, Agile development processes and iteration reviews can be an integral part of bringing your idea to life. Also, feedback from the reviews will help your development teams to show product owners and stakeholders how each iteration is performing in real-time (using working stories).
Using iteration reviews allows everybody involved to have an overview of the product as it moves forward, assess its progress, and highlight any areas that may need adjustment. From here, additional planning and backlog reviews can be made for further iterations. Preparing for an iteration reviewWhen defining iterations, your team should sit down and take into account how each one will be demonstrated. When you promote an environment that has the end goal of the task at the forefront of planning, you will be cultivating a more detailed understanding of what’s needed to achieve the level of quality and functionality that you expect. What a review entailsFirst of all, the development team, the Scrum master, the product owner and shareholders are required to attend iteration reviews and these should be undertaken at the end of a product’s milestone. Typically, they should last an hour (depending on the length of the iteration timeline; so a two-week sprint should take two hours) and measure the team’s progress. You can decide the nature of your meeting. It should suit the needs of the working environment you hope to establish, and the business goals you hope to accomplish. The meeting should cover:
During the review, your development team and Scrum master should be encouraged to interact with stakeholders and the product owner and take note of their feedback. When answering the question, ‘an iteration review – what is it for?’ important metrics to consider are:
Next steps to take after iteration reviewThe main purpose of an iteration review is to inspect the outcome of the iteration and determine future adaptations; feedback from stakeholders is crucial. Your development teams should use the feedback to reflect upon the positive and negative aspects of their performance during iterations. This should take place during a phase known as the iteration retrospective, which should be initiated after the meeting has finished. This is also the time to commend your teams for the hard work they’ve put in, and acknowledge the contributions they have made and the value they have brought, to both the product and your business. Why do you need iteration reviews? The benefitsBy breaking things down into small, bite-sized time frames, technical and business theories can be put to the test in real time and in a way that won’t put unnecessary pressure on your development teams. Areas such as functionality, the usability of specific processes and even quality of work can all be assessed at incremental stages. Top tips to get the best out of iteration reviewsNobody likes to sit through meetings, so in order to ensure the highest level of worthwhile feedback these reviews are designed to be interactive and to the point. With this in mind, it can be a good idea to:
Important features of Agile and Scrum methodologies
Taking a new approach to how businesses function, Agile development is less restrictive for teams and promotes a more self-organizing, interactive environment for product building. Agile frameworks give a greater sense of teamwork and how each individual feels about their role within your business. The systems used in Agile development promote flexibility and an active roadmap, and often streamlines product creation for faster, higher-quality end results. It also works to better align your business goals with your customer’s requirements, to ensure all needs are met throughout the entire development of the product. Iteration reviews often fall into the bracket of Scrum frameworks. These are pivotal in Agile, to manage development both repetitively (to promote workflow and highlight issues faster) and incrementally (to keep everything on track and ensure the correct aspects are being taken care of at the right time). As the working environment and clientèle are becoming more demanding, it’s important for your business to adapt, and stay up to date with trends. At Boldare, our digital product development teams aim to share expert knowledge, so that you have access to worthwhile support, advice and more that can elevate the entire process of product development from start to finish. If you are interested in learning more about how we work, feel free to contact us. |
What is the purpose of iterations?
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