---
type: reference
stage: Plan
group: Project Management
info: To determine the technical writer assigned to the Stage/Group associated with this page, see https://about.gitlab.com/handbook/engineering/ux/technical-writing/#designated-technical-writers
---

# Iterations **(STARTER)**

> - [Introduced](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/issues/214713) in [GitLab Starter](https://about.gitlab.com/pricing/) 13.1.
> - It was deployed behind a feature flag, disabled by default.
> - [Became enabled by default](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/issues/221047) on GitLab 13.2.
> - It's enabled on GitLab.com.
> - It's able to be enabled or disabled per-group.
> - It's recommended for production use.
> - For GitLab self-managed instances, GitLab administrators can opt to [disable it](#disable-iterations). **(CORE ONLY)**

Iterations are a way to track issues over a period of time. This allows teams
to track velocity and volatility metrics. Iterations can be used with [milestones](../../project/milestones/index.md)
for tracking over different time periods.

For example, you can use:

- Milestones for Program Increments, which span 8-12 weeks.
- Iterations for Sprints, which span 2 weeks.

In GitLab, iterations are similar to milestones, with a few differences:

- Iterations are only available to groups.
- A group can only have one active iteration at a time.
- Iterations require both a start and an end date.
- Iteration date ranges cannot overlap.

## View the iterations list

To view the iterations list, in a group, go to **{issues}** **Issues > Iterations**.
From there you can create a new iteration or click an iteration to get a more detailed view.

## Create an iteration

NOTE: **Note:**
You need Developer [permissions](../../permissions.md) or higher to create an iteration.

To create an iteration:

1. In a group, go to **{issues}** **Issues > Iterations**.
1. Click **New iteration**.
1. Enter the title, a description (optional), a start date, and a due date.
1. Click **Create iteration**. The iteration details page opens.

## Edit an iteration

> - [Introduced](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/issues/218277) in [GitLab Starter](https://about.gitlab.com/pricing/) 13.2.

NOTE: **Note:**
You need Developer [permissions](../../permissions.md) or higher to edit an iteration.

To edit an iteration, click the three-dot menu (**{ellipsis_v}**) > **Edit iteration**.

## Add an issue to an iteration

> [Introduced](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/issues/216158) in [GitLab Starter](https://about.gitlab.com/pricing/) 13.2.

To learn how to add an issue to an iteration, see the steps in
[Managing issues](../../project/issues/managing_issues.md#add-an-issue-to-an-iteration).

## Disable Iterations **(CORE ONLY)**

GitLab Iterations feature is deployed with a feature flag that is **enabled by default**.
[GitLab administrators with access to the GitLab Rails console](../../../administration/feature_flags.md)
can disable it for your instance. `:group_iterations` can be enabled or disabled per-group.

To enable it:

```ruby
# Instance-wide
Feature.enable(:group_iterations)
# or by group
Feature.enable(:group_iterations, Group.find(<group ID>))
```

To disable it:

```ruby
# Instance-wide
Feature.disable(:group_iterations)
# or by group
Feature.disable(:group_iterations, Group.find(<group ID>))
```

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