What is meant by "incremental delivery" in the context of systems acquisition?

Incremental delivery refers to the practice of breaking down the development and deployment of systems into smaller, more manageable portions or increments. This approach allows for capabilities to be delivered piece by piece, enabling users to start utilizing some functionalities while additional features are still being developed.

By focusing on delivering capabilities incrementally, stakeholders can receive feedback throughout the development process, which allows for adjustments based on user experiences and requirements. This method enhances adaptability and responsiveness to changing needs, ultimately improving the quality and usefulness of the final product.

Additionally, incremental delivery helps manage risks by allowing teams to test and validate components of the system earlier rather than waiting for a complete system to be developed and tested all at once. This increases the likelihood of identifying issues sooner in the project lifecycle, facilitating faster troubleshooting and improved overall project success.