How do you develop mobile apps iteratively?

1 What is iterative development?

Iterative development is a way of creating software that involves breaking down the project into smaller cycles, called iterations. Each iteration consists of planning, designing, coding, testing, and reviewing the app's features and functionality. The goal of each iteration is to produce a working version of the app that can be evaluated by users and stakeholders, and to collect feedback that can be used to improve the next iteration. Iterative development is based on the idea that you can learn more from testing and experimenting with your app than from following a fixed plan.

2 Why use iterative development for mobile apps?

Iterative development is a suitable approach for mobile apps, especially in today's fast-changing and competitive market. This type of development allows you to respond quickly to user feedback and changing requirements, reducing the risk of wasting resources on features that are not relevant or desirable. Moreover, it improves the quality and usability of your app by identifying and fixing bugs more easily. Lastly, iterative development fosters collaboration and communication among your team members, users, and stakeholders since you can share your progress and get feedback regularly.

3 How to plan your iterations?

Before you start developing your app iteratively, you need to have a clear vision of what you want to achieve, and who your users are. You can use tools such as user personas, user stories, and user journeys to define your app's goals, features, and user experience. Then, you need to prioritize your features based on their value and complexity, and decide how many iterations you need, and how long each iteration will last. You can use frameworks such as Scrum or Kanban to organize your tasks and track your progress. A typical iteration cycle can last from one to four weeks, depending on the scope and complexity of your app.

4 How to design and code your iterations?

The design and coding phase of each iteration is where you turn your ideas into reality. You need to follow the best practices and standards for your chosen platform, whether it is iOS or Android, and use the appropriate tools and languages for your app. You also need to consider the design principles and guidelines for mobile apps, such as responsiveness, accessibility, and usability. You can use tools such as wireframes, mockups, and prototypes to create and test your app's interface and functionality. You can also use code libraries and frameworks to speed up your development process and reuse existing code.

5 How to test and review your iterations?

The testing and reviewing phase of each iteration is where you evaluate the quality and performance of your app, and collect feedback from your users and stakeholders. You need to test your app on different devices, operating systems, and network conditions, and use tools such as emulators, simulators, and real devices to check your app's functionality, compatibility, and security. You also need to test your app with real users, and use methods such as surveys, interviews, and analytics to measure your app's usability, satisfaction, and engagement. You can use tools such as beta testing platforms, feedback forms, and analytics dashboards to gather and analyze user feedback.

6 How to improve your iterations?

The improvement phase of each iteration is where you use the feedback and data you collected to plan and implement changes and enhancements for your next iteration. You need to review your app's goals, features, and user experience, and identify what worked well, what didn't work well, and what can be improved. You also need to prioritize your changes based on their impact and feasibility, and update your tasks and backlog accordingly. You can use tools such as retrospectives, roadmaps, and backlog grooming to refine your app's scope and direction.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?