Inkrementell

Inkrementell is a Norwegian adjective describing something that increases or proceeds in small steps. In practice it designates processes, structures, or measurements that accumulate changes gradually through discrete increments rather than via a single, large transition. The term is commonly used across technology, science, and industry to emphasize gradual build-up and progressive improvement.

Originating from the Latin root incrementum via the English word incremental, inkrementell is used similarly in Norwegian and other Scandinavian languages.

In computing, inkrementell approaches split work into small deliverables: incremental development and delivery, incremental backups, and incremental data processing. In software engineering, an incremental approach adds new functionality in successive versions, enabling earlier testing and feedback. In data processing and analytics, incremental processing updates results as new data arrives rather than reprocessing the entire dataset.

In other domains, inkrementell describes methods that emphasize continual, small-scale change. In machine learning and statistics, incremental or online learning updates models as new examples arrive. In manufacturing and quality improvement, incremental change focuses on small, continual enhancements rather than large, disruptive redesigns.

An incremental approach is often discussed alongside iterative development; increment refers to added functionality, whereas iteration refers to repetition to refine the same functionality. In practice, these concepts may be combined, so a project delivers functioning increases over time while cycles of refinement improve existing features.