Iterative Design Process
The iterative design process is a methodology that relies on small, progressive cycles of prototyping, testing, and refining to create products that improve functionality. This method is at the heart of both design thinking and Scrum and Agile project management methodologies.
It’s a process that allows teams to build a product from the ground up without relying on predetermined plans and specifications, which saves time and money by reducing the amount of work done upfront. It also helps teams identify potential problems early on, so they can be addressed before they spiral out of control.
Each iteration of a design focuses on one specific aspect of the product and includes an analysis, design, and testing phase. During the design phase, designers produce a prototype that demonstrates how a feature will function and present it to a group of users to evaluate. This information is then used to make changes to the prototype and then test it again. This cycle continues until the team reaches a deliverable that satisfies user needs and project objectives.
What Are the Stages Involved in the Iterative Design Process?
The process is ideally conducted with the help of a user researcher to ensure that the team has accurate and up-to-date information about what the users need. The Iterative design process also encourages teams to work in parallel and allows the whole team to focus on different aspects of the product at any given time, resulting in faster project completion times.
As a result, the iterative design process is also more cost effective than non-iterative models of development. In the case of software projects, the iterative model can be utilized for each individual component of the program, allowing developers to make changes throughout the development and testing phases that would otherwise have to wait until the complete application was ready to be released.
In addition, the iterative design process keeps users at the center of the design process by involving them in each design cycle. This approach also increases the usability of digital products by ensuring that they meet user expectations, which is especially important as the number of devices users have access to continues to grow. While it may seem counterintuitive to show a rough prototype of a design to stakeholders, it’s actually easier for them to get on board with the concept if they can see how much progress has been made, and that each iteration is based on research, testing, and feedback. It can be challenging for perfectionists, but if you explain that the design will never be finished and that each iteration is intended to provide valuable insight, they’re likely to understand. They may even ask for more feedback! Maksym is a UI/UX designer at Eleken and is an avid advocate of the iterative design process and Figma. He enjoys sharing his knowledge with others to help them grow as designers and improve their skills. Check out his blog for more tips on working in Figma!