Which of the following best describes 'iteration' in product development?

Iteration in product development refers to a continuous process where designs are refined and improved based on user feedback and testing. This approach allows teams to prototype, test, gather insights, and make necessary adjustments to the product in a cyclical fashion. By incorporating feedback in each cycle, designers and engineers can ensure that the final product is more aligned with user needs and market demands, ultimately leading to a better quality product.

This iterative process is crucial in adaptive design methodologies, such as Agile and Design Thinking, where the emphasis is on responsiveness to feedback and ongoing improvement rather than following a linear, rigid development path. The ability to repeatedly revisit and adjust aspects of a product facilitates innovation and can help in identifying issues that may not have been apparent in initial design phases.

In contrast, a single phase of the design cycle denotes a static stage in the process rather than an ongoing improvement method. Similarly, describing the process as non-repetitive does not capture the essence of iteration, which is inherently about repetition and refinement. Lastly, a formal approval of the final product design suggests a conclusion to the process rather than the ongoing nature of refinement that iteration entails.