Discover the art of shipping software with key principles that emphasize quality over quantity. The hosts critique the notion of minimally viable products, advocating for well-executed solutions instead. Accountability post-launch is key, as designers must actively engage with feedback and take ownership of challenges. They explore the delicate balance between confidence and risk during development, underscoring the importance of clarity in design. Ultimately, it’s all about setting high standards and ensuring products truly solve real problems.
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Quick takeaways
Shipping only good software emphasizes the importance of cohesive quality over simply meeting deadlines, ensuring a better user experience.
Developers must take responsibility for their software post-launch, fostering accountability and encouraging continuous improvement from real-world feedback.
Deep dives
The Standard of Good Work
Shipping only good software sets a high standard that requires careful evaluation of the end product. The emphasis is on ensuring that all components of the software come together cohesively, rather than simply meeting a deadline or a shipping quota. This principle empowers teams to recognize when something isn’t good enough, allowing for necessary pauses even at close deadlines to reassess the quality. By prioritizing good software over minimally viable products, organizations prevent pitfalls associated with subpar contributions that could lead to poor user experiences.
Confidence in Shipping
Confidence in shipping software is determined by understanding the criticality of the problems being addressed and ensuring appropriate testing is conducted. This principle emphasizes that different projects require varying levels of rigor, with higher stakes demanding more thorough testing measures. It encourages developers to balance their approach based on the potential impact of their work, rather than adhering rigidly to a one-size-fits-all testing protocol. Recognizing the nuances of each task allows for a more fluid process that fosters efficiency without compromising quality.
Ownership of Post-Launch Issues
Developers and product designers are encouraged to take responsibility for the software they ship, which reinforces accountability and the importance of real-world feedback. By actively engaging with user feedback and addressing any issues that arise, teams can improve their products and validate their efforts in the development process. This principle discourages a handoff mentality where individuals pass their work to others without consideration for its impact. Engaging with post-launch outcomes fosters a culture of continuous learning and improvement, ultimately leading to better software.
How does 37signals decide when software is ready to ship? In this episode of The REWORK Podcast, 37signals’ co-founders Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson discuss the company's Seven Shipping Principles. They dive into when a product update is good enough to ship and the importance of making updates to solve actual problems.
Key Takeaways:
00:11 – We only ship good work.
03:36 – The problem with MVPs
04:41 – We ship when we're confident.
10:08 – We own the issues after we ship.
13:41 – We don’t ship if it isn’t right.
17:11 – Making sure your solution tackles a real problem