In software development, no design choice is set in stone. What seems like the perfect solution today may reveal its flaws tomorrow as requirements evolve or new insights emerge. The key is not to fear iteration but to embrace it. As I told my mentee during a mentoring session: “Sometimes you make a design choice that seems right at the time, and two weeks later, you realize it wasn’t the best. That’s okay — design is an iterative process.” In this article, we’ll explore why iteration is vital in software design and how to approach it effectively.

Why Iteration Matters

  1. Changing Requirements

Software projects rarely stay static. As user needs, business goals, or technical constraints shift, your design must adapt. Iteration allows you to refine your solution to better align with these evolving requirements.

  1. Learning Through Implementation

Theoretical design often falls short when it meets the realities of implementation. As I mentioned: “Sometimes you won’t see the full picture until you’ve lived with the code for a while.” Iteration lets you course-correct based on real-world usage and feedback.

  1. Balancing Simplicity and Functionality

It’s tempting to over-engineer a solution in the pursuit of “future-proofing.” But as I pointed out during the session: “You don’t have to get it perfect on the first try. Start simple and evolve as needed.”

The Iterative Process in Practice

1. Start with the Simplest Solution

When tackling a design problem, begin with the most straightforward implementation that fulfills the immediate requirements. For example, my mentee initially saved an in-memory list to a file at the end of the class lifecycle. While this met the basic need, it introduced risks of losing data during the lifecycle.

As I explained: “It’s like writing a 982-page term paper and only saving it at the very end. A lot can go wrong in the meantime.” Iteration revealed that saving after each critical update was a more robust approach.

2. Evaluate and Refactor

Once you’ve implemented a solution, evaluate its effectiveness. Ask yourself:

  • Is it easy to understand and maintain?
  • Does it align with the core responsibilities of the component?
  • Are there edge cases where it might fail?

In the session, we identified two separate file write operations in the same class. I suggested consolidating them into a single method to reduce redundancy and improve clarity. “I’d prefer there to be one place where we’re writing to the file. That way, you always know where to look.”

3. Involve Others

Code reviews and mentoring sessions are invaluable for spotting design flaws or opportunities for improvement. As I told my mentee: “There’s no wrong choice in design, but some choices are better. And the better ones often come from collaboration.”

When to Refactor

  1. Redundancy

If you notice repeated patterns or logic across your codebase, it’s time to refactor. For instance, consolidating file writes into a single method avoids duplication and reduces the chance of errors.

  1. Shifting Responsibilities

As classes or methods take on new roles, revisit their original design. In our session, we discussed whether the Dispose method should handle file writes. While it initially seemed logical, further reflection revealed it was better suited to immediate updates after each operation.

  1. Performance or Scalability Issues

Early implementations often prioritize simplicity over efficiency, which is fine — until performance becomes a bottleneck. Iteration lets you optimize once you’ve identified real-world pain points. Lessons from Iterative Design

The Foo Manager Example

During our discussion, we worked through a design problem involving a class responsible for managing objects of type ‘Foo’ and synchronizing them with a file. Initially, the design relied on saving the file only during the Dispose method, leaving the in-memory state unsynchronized throughout the class’s lifecycle.

After exploring the risks, we iterated on the design to save the file after every meaningful operation. This change reduced the risk of data loss and better aligned with the class’s responsibility. As I emphasized: “You can’t make assumptions that another component will handle synchronization for you. Every component must take care of its own requirements.”

A Mindset of Improvement

One of the most important takeaways from iterative design is to approach your work with curiosity and flexibility. As I said: “Design is iterative. You’re going to change your mind, and that’s okay.” Each iteration is an opportunity to learn, refine, and build a better system.

Best Practices for Iterative Design

  1. Document Your Decisions Keep track of why you made specific design choices. This helps you revisit and improve those decisions with clarity.

  2. Start Small Implement the simplest solution first and refine it as needed. Avoid the temptation to over-engineer.

  3. Embrace Feedback Whether from code reviews, user feedback, or personal reflection, treat feedback as a chance to iterate and improve.

  4. Accept Imperfection Not every design will be perfect, and that’s okay. As I explained: “Even if you don’t get it right the first time, what matters is that you keep improving.”

Conclusion

Iteration isn’t a sign of failure — it’s a hallmark of thoughtful, adaptive design. By starting with the simplest solution, evaluating its effectiveness, and refining it over time, you build systems that are not only functional but also resilient and maintainable.

As I often remind mentees: “In software development, no design is final. The best designs come from iteration, reflection, and collaboration.” Embrace the process, and you’ll find that your systems — and your skills as a developer — improve with every step.