REWORK

Host Kimberly Rhodes interviews Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson, co-founders of 37signals, as they share insights on their unconventional hiring process for a COO and the challenges of adding a third person to their team. They also discuss the benefits of starting projects with six-week cycles and the importance of shorter cycles and gut-based decisions in business development.

Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson, co-founders of 37signals, introduce ONCE - a pay-once model to challenge software subscriptions. They discuss the shift from SaaS to product ownership, the distinction between product and service, and the concerns of data ownership. They also share the story of Basecamp in the White House and explain how ONCE will change the software landscape. The podcast explores the desire for control and ownership among users, transparency in software, and the principles behind their new product.

The hosts discuss the importance of shipping on time without sacrificing quality. They emphasize the need to accurately define must-have versus nice-to-have features. Constraints and budgets can streamline the process and result in better software. Setting strict deadlines and being willing to cut features is crucial. The podcast explores handling unfinished features and determining when a product development process is complete.

Co-founders of 37signals, David Heinemeier Hansson and Jason Fried, discuss the recent controversy surrounding their decision to no longer use TypeScript in Turbo 8. They debate dynamically typed vs statically typed languages, emphasize the inconsequential nature of these debates, and reflect on the importance of team dynamics and diversity in programming. They also explore the negative impact of online controversies on open source contributions and emphasize the need to stay focused on work amidst the drama.

Uncover the secrets of the 'betting table', where decisions are made for the next product development cycle. Learn about the refining process, passionate viewpoints, and avoiding committee-driven decision-making. Discover what happens to pitches that don't make it and the importance of focusing on current priorities. Explore the assignment of people to projects, balancing workloads and the advantages of asynchronous communication in the work environment.

In this episode, Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson, co-founders of 37signals, discuss the delicate art of crafting a pitch for product development. They walk listeners through Shape Up's five-point compass for an effective pitch, highlighting the importance of avoiding extremes of over-specification or vague one-liners. They also explore the concept of rabbit holes and the significance of identifying and avoiding them. Additionally, they discuss different types of project pitches and approaches and emphasize the importance of dedicating time for exploration and making informed decisions.

In this episode, the hosts discuss the advantages of being a small company and embracing constraints. They announce a contest for underdogs to share their stories and win exclusive prizes.

Bugs are an inevitable part of complex software and aiming for complete bug-free perfection is not only unrealistic, but it hinders progress and product delivery.In this episode of Rework, host Kimberly Rhodes sits down with 37signals founders, Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson to discuss why you need to be realistic about bugs in software development. Listen in as David and Jason offer a behind-the-scenes look at the two-tiered approach to handling bugs in their software at 37signals and their triage plan for determining which should be fixed, when, and by whom.Tune in to uncover strategies to manage your customers' expectations while dealing with bugs WITHOUT deviating from your product roadmap Check out the full video episode on YouTubeShow Notes: [00:00] - Kimberly opens the show and shares the topic for discussion, that bugs in software are normal. [00:27] - David shares why you need to be realistic about bugs in software development.[01:18] - Bugs, a natural side effect of software. [02:08] - What makes users abandon a piece of software (hint: it’s usually not a few bugs)?[05:26] - The two-tiered (non-emotional) approach to handling the vast spectrum of bugs in complicated pieces of software.  [06:13] - When is a “bug” not a “bug”? [07:00] - Handling customer expectations without screwing up your product roadmap.  [07:52] - You need a filter: the double-edged sword of founders operating in customer support.  [08:32] - David shares a behind-the-scenes look triage at 37signals.  [09:31] - The novel QA approach of the Toyota production line that 37signals tries to emulate. [11:37] - Jason shares the difference between the software and auto industries when fixing production problems. [12:37] - Yes, quality matters, but perfect never gets shipped. [14:30] - So how do we build useful, meaningful software? [15:21] - Breaking out of bad bug thought patterns so you can keep making software of value. [16:47] - Who oversees fixing the bugs at 37signals—the methods they use to determine what gets fixed, when, and by who. [20:08] - Cleaning up the tech debt: the vital importance of a measured, mature way of scheduling things. [21:09] - Don't create ****** software—it can’t be fixed. [23:55] – Jason discusses the idea an organization might be a bigger problem than just a bug in the software.[24:44] - Why you should never become "too big" to listen to your customers. [26:28] – For more, check out our Dev.37signals blog, where the 37signals developers write about some of their processes.[26:45] - Rework is a production of 37signals. You can find show notes and transcripts on our website. Full video episodes are also available on Twitter and YouTube. If you have questions for David and Jason about a better way to work and run your business, we’d love to answer them. Leave your voicemails at 708-628-7850 or send an email. Links and Resources:From David’s HEY World: Software has bugs. This is normal. Dev.37signalsIt Doesn’t Have to Be Crazy at Work  Sign up for a 30

Knowing when you're in over your head and recognizing when a project has gone off the rails are crucial aspects of successful project management. But what are the red flags to watch for to prevent project derailment and how can you tell if a project is doomed to fail—even before you start? This week, Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson, the co-founders of 37signals, sit down with host Kimberly Rhodes to discuss the challenges of project management and share valuable insights on how to stay focused, recognize red flags early on, and foster creative problem-solving in order to see a project through to completion. Listen in as they reveal the importance of finishing tasks before adding new ones, the pitfalls of multitasking, and the magic of setting clear endpoints. Plus they share Basecamp's tool for facilitating project monitoring without time-consuming meetings or derailing check-ins.Tune in for practical solutions for rescuing a project before it's too late! Check out the full video episode on YouTubeShow Notes: [00:00] - Kimberly opens the show and the topic of how to rescue a project when it’s gone off of the rails.[00:34] - Adding too much without finishing anything causes chaos. Jason shares the story behind his HEY World piece, Rescuing a project in progress, and shares the advice he gave his friend and how that applies to software development too.[02:49] - David shares the reasons behind the “Shape Up” approach at 37signals. [03:44] - You can’t do two things at once, every time you do you lose a little bit…[04:33] - Clearing the decks, wiping the slate clean, AND deciding what you are going to do with 100% of your time and how it helps you avoid shiny object syndrome.[05:20] - Why it's crucial for successful project management to avoid adding new tasks until all the existing unfinished ones are completed. [06:11] - How the magic of deciding when you’re done helps lower the risk of multitasking.[08:53] - In software development how can you tell things are going off the rails before it’s way too late?[09:17] - Jason shares why you need to be tuned into those feelings of being in over your head. [10:43] - David shares the major red flag moment for him that lets him know you’ve already failed before you even get started.  [12:28] - “The longer, the more complicated the project, the more deceivingly specific people believe they can be when the opposite should actually be true.”[13:17] - Why you should never give yourself too much time for a project. [14:13] - The work-in-progress unified system in Denmark for tax assessments of properties that will never be finished (it’s already eight years overdue, and a billion dollars in).[15:53] - The easiest time to stay on track for a project. [16:29] - The other problem with long projects is that you get more time to not fix the problem.[17:17] - The curse of too much time and the sweet spot of creative problem-solving for any endeavor. [18:06] - X is the epicenter of the problem, start there and THEN see how much of Y and Z you get to before your (set in stone) ship deadline. [19:37] - Kimberly shares some people’s approach to rescuing projects and the difference at 37signals. [20:02] - Jason talks about the false sense of security that comes from knowing everything that’s going on.  [21:12] - David shares how “sawing at the wheel” just makes you go slower. [21:57] - Are we done yet? Are we done? How constant interruptions slow projects down. [22:42] - How Basecamp’s

Unlike some tech giants that have notoriously pulled the plug on beloved products (remember Google's sudden discontinuation of Google Reader?), 37signals takes a vastly different approach with their pledge to support ALL of their products for the life of the internet.This week host Kimberly Rhodes sits down with Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson, the co-founders of 37signals, to explore the importance of longevity and trust in the SaaS industry.Drawing parallels to iconic brands like Porsche and Rolex, Jason and David take a deep dive into the challenges of product discontinuation and its impact on loyal customers. From Ta-da List to Basecamp, listen in as they reveal the principles that drive their support decisions and why longevity matters when building a brand that customers will rely on for decades.Check out the full video episode on YouTubeShow Notes: [00:00] - Kimberly introduces the podcast and the topic of 37signals' core principle to maintain its products until the end of the internet.[00:36] - David discusses the risk of relying on big companies for software services, sharing the recent example of Google killing off its domain selling service.[02:06] - David explains why Google tends to abandon services leaving users to deal with the aftermath.[03:50] - How to become a legacy brand—like Porsche.[05:20] - David shares 37signal's philosophy to keep products running until the end of the internet (example: 17 years of maintaining Ta-da List).[06:08] - Short-term profitability vs. long-term commitment to customers: The moral obligation (and trade-off) of maintaining legacy products.[08:07] - Kimberly draws a parallel between the changing ownership of mortgages and software services.[08:58] - Brand building through commitment and longevity. [10:05] - Jason shares how 37signals prioritizes their commitment to customers with their core apps.[12:16] - The challenge of balancing the desires of existing customers with the need to appeal to new customers. [15:47] - The most profitable product in the 37signals portfolio.[17:37] - Kimberly asks about the decision-making process between creating new versions of Basecamp versus adding features to the existing ones.[18:02] - Some updates are like facelifts—others involve fundamental changes. [20:20] - The costs involved in maintaining apps like Ta-da List.[21:35] - David highlights the BIG return on investment in brand power that comes with the commitment to maintaining products. [23:12] - How the murder of Google Reader still impacts users' trust in new Google products a decade later.[24:06] - The high failure rate of venture-backed companies.[23:48] - Did you know full video of episodes of Rework are available? Check out our YouTube channel or find us on Twitter. As always, if you have questions for David and Jason about a better way to work and run your business, we’d love to answer them. Leave your voicemails at 708-628-7850 or send an email. And don’t forget you can find show notes and transcripts on our website.Links and Resources:From David's HEY World: You can't trust Google Sign up for a 30-day free trial at Basecamp.comHEY World | HEY Dev.37signals37signals on YouTube