The art of being wrong, faster.
Author:Sambath Kumar Natarajan(Connect)Version:1.0
Iterative Development
Iterative development accepts that your first draft is garbage. The goal is to improve it.
The Design Loop
- Sketch: Build a throwaway prototype.
- Critique: Put it in front of a user.
- Refine: Build the real thing based on what they actually did, not what they said they would do.
Why Companies Fail at This
Ego. Executives want to launch "Perfect" products. They view iterations as "Rework" or "Waste".
"Why didn't you get it right the first time?"
Answer: Because nobody knows what "Right" is until they touch it.
Iterative vs Traditional
| Dimension | Traditional | Iterative |
|---|---|---|
| Launch Criteria | All Features Complete | Core Value Usable |
| Feedback Loop | Months (Post-Launch) | Days/Hours |
| Cost Profile | Heavy CapEx upfront | Continuous OpEx |
Where to Use
- Consumer Apps: UI/UX requires feel, not specs.
- AI/ML Models: You essentially train (iterate) until accuracy is acceptable.
- Innovation Labs: Where the problem statement itself is unclear.