Lifecycle Time-Boxed Iterations
From Mp
Contents |
Pattern Type
Practice
This pattern is a practice pattern, since it defines how work is broken up within an existing structured pattern. It defines the approach to dividing chunks of work based upon a time line.
Description
There are a number of different types of "iterations." See Iteration for an explanation of what it is. The Lifecycle Time-Boxed iteration is a specific type of iteration that is defined by two fundamental things: first, iterations are time-boxed. That means that for each iteration within the overall process, a fixed amount of time is defined. Typically, this is between two weeks and a month, though, technically, there is no pre-defined limit (note, however, that a Phased Pattern may be more appropriate for when iterations are very long (greater than three months)).
Second, each iteration is typically taken through a "lifecycle." A lifecycle, in this case, really means that the iteration contains all the aspects of The Core Process. For example, there's typically a small amount of requirements (whether that's analysis, elaboration, gathering, or whatever), building, and a publishing of what was built at the end. How much is done of each aspect is not defined; though, in some cases, it can be very little for some (i.e. very little requirements definition) and a significant amount of another (i.e. building).
