Which development approach involves validating requirements through the use of prototypes?

The development approach that prominently involves validating requirements through the use of prototypes is iterative development. This methodology emphasizes a cyclical process where initial versions of the product are created, and feedback is gathered from stakeholders. Prototyping is a critical element in this approach as it allows for early visualization of features and functions, enabling stakeholders to interact with the evolving product.

During each iteration, the feedback informs necessary adjustments, ensuring that the final product aligns more closely with user needs and expectations. This iterative cycle of development, prototyping, testing, and refining is effective in managing complex projects where requirements may not be fully understood at the outset.

While other development approaches like Agile and incremental development also employ prototyping and iterative processes, iterative development specifically highlights the use of prototypes as a way to validate requirements continually throughout the development cycle. In contrast, waterfall development adheres to a linear sequence of phases, making it less suited for integrating extensive user feedback through prototyping early in the cycle.