23×week

23×week is a term used in planning and project design to denote a program or cycle that spans 23 consecutive weeks. The multiplication sign in the name is a stylistic device intended to emphasize the extended, multi-week cadence rather than a literal arithmetic operation. It is not part of formal calendar nomenclature, but it appears in planning documents and productivity discussions as a way to signal a longer horizon than a typical sprint.

Definition and structure: A typical 23-week cycle is broken into distinct phases such as discovery, design, development, testing, and release. A representative division might be weeks 1–4 for discovery, 5–8 for design, 9–16 for development, 17–20 for testing, and 21–23 for release and review. Each phase includes milestones, deliverables, and regular review points to maintain alignment and accountability.

Purpose and usage: The framework aims to provide a stable, mid-range planning horizon that supports iterative progress while maintaining a clear end goal. It is used in software development, curriculum or program design, research projects, and corporate training initiatives where a longer cycle aids coordination, budgeting, and stakeholder communication.

Variations and relation: Related concepts include multi-week sprints, roadmaps, and term-based curricula. Critics note that longer cycles can reduce agility if not paired with frequent checkpoints and adaptable governance. See also: sprint, roadmap, project management, curriculum design.