Final answer:
Incremental development is a methodology where the core functionality of a program is established and then expanded upon through continuous iterations, which include prototyping, testing, and refinement to meet the customer's needs.
Step-by-step explanation:
A popular development methodology called incremental development, starts by getting core functionality of a program working, then expands on it until the customer is satisfied with the results. This process involves repeated refinement through the six steps: developing a detailed design, prototyping, testing, refining based on feedback, implementation, and evaluating the results. These steps are crucial in iterating the design process to improve product quality gradually.
In the context of the design process, the spiral design process is akin to incremental development, allowing for continuous improvements and refinements. The design architecture plays a significant role during development, and after each iteration, lessons are learned, which are then applied to enhance the next version. Innovation, therefore, is seen as incrementally modifying a product or process to enhance its functionality or performance.