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Incremental Delivery vs Incremental Development

publish date: 2026/05/31 04:41:4.493769 UTC

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What is the key difference between incremental delivery and incremental development?

Incremental development uses sprints; incremental delivery does not

Incremental delivery applies only to web systems; incremental development applies to all systems

There is no difference — the two terms mean exactly the same thing

In incremental delivery, developed increments are actually deployed for use in an operational environment; in incremental development, a system may be developed incrementally but not necessarily deployed with each increment

Correct Answer

Explanation

The key distinction is deployment. In incremental delivery, increments are actually deployed for use in an operational environment. You can develop a system incrementally and expose it to customers for comment without actually delivering it and deploying it — that is incremental development without incremental delivery.

Reference

Software Engineering, Ian Sommerville, 9th edition

Quizzes you can take where this question appears

Incremental Delivery