What does the “Incremental Development” approach aim to reduce?

The "Incremental Development" approach is designed primarily to manage and reduce the risk associated with changes to requirements throughout the development process. By implementing the system in phases and delivering functionality incrementally, stakeholders are given the opportunity to assess progress, provide feedback, and adapt requirements accordingly before the entire system is deployed. This gradual approach allows for adjustments based on user needs or changing conditions, which is crucial in complex projects where initial requirements might evolve as understanding deepens during development.

This method contrasts with more traditional development processes that often attempt to finalize all requirements upfront, which can lead to significant issues if those requirements change later in the process. By breaking down the development into manageable increments, teams can better handle uncertainties and mitigate risks associated with unmet or shifting requirements. This focus on phased deliverables ultimately leads to a more flexible and responsive development cycle.