---
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's deployed behind a feature flag, disabled by default.
> - It's disabled on GitLab.com.
> - It's able to be enabled or disabled per-group
> - It's not recommended for production use.
> - To use it in GitLab self-managed instances, ask a GitLab administrator to [enable it](#enable-iterations-core-only). **(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:**
A permission level of [Developer or higher](../../permissions.md) is required to create iterations.

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.

### Enable Iterations **(CORE ONLY)**

GitLab Iterations feature is under development and not ready for production use.
It is deployed behind a feature flag that is **disabled by default**.
[GitLab administrators with access to the GitLab Rails console](../../../administration/feature_flags.md)
can enable 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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