Process improvement terminology: A process that is repeated, evaluated for results, and refined in cycles is best described as what?

Introduction / Context:
Many engineering, analytics, and AI workflows progress in cycles: plan, execute, measure, and improve. The question assesses your familiarity with the standard term for such cyclical refinement.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The process repeats steps multiple times.
• Each cycle incorporates feedback from prior outcomes.
• Aim is continuous improvement or convergence.

Concept / Approach:
An iterative process loops over the same sequence, adjusting parameters or methods based on evaluation metrics, until goals are met or progress plateaus.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Across software and data science, ‘‘iterative’’ specifically denotes cycles with feedback loops, differentiating it from one-shot or purely descriptive approaches.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Diagnostic focuses on fault identification.
• Descriptive summarizes; it does not refine by repetition.
• Interpretive explains; it does not imply cyclical improvement.

Common Pitfalls:
Confusing iterative with incremental; iterative reworks the same components based on learning, whereas incremental adds new components or scope.

Final Answer:
Iterative