How to make big things happen with small teams

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How to makebig things happenwith small teams

Jason Fried, 37signals


Reducing mass

Making things manageable

Lowering cost of change

Managing debt


Small has big advantages


The customer is closer

Less distortionLess middle/muddleEveryone on the front lineChange is easier


The right people


Passionate and happyWell roundedQuick learnerGood writerTrustworthy


I’ll take someone happy and average over a guru who is disgruntled and frustrated.


Act your size


Less formalitiesLess massLess fear

More flexibilityMore changeMore freedom


Embrace constraints


Less people, more powerLess money, more valueLess resources, better useLess time, better time


Build half a productnot a half-ass product


Say no by defaultListen to the productIgnore details early onImprove what you haveDecisions are temporary


Build Less Software


Lower cost of changeLess room for errorLess support requiredEncourage human solutions


Give people just enough to solve their own problems their own way.

Then get out of their way.


Get Real, start with the UI


There’s nothing functional about a functional spec.


Start designingStart prototypingStart experiencingStart changing

Rinse and repeat


Make most decisions JIT


ScalabilityAdmin interfacesBasecamp billing example


Make decisions when you have real information.


Next most important thing


Is this it?If not, what is?Are we doing it?If not, why not?


Celebrate small victories


IterateCelebrateIterateCelebrateIterateCelebrate


Feel the hurt


Builders support itChefs become waitersShared annoyance


Publicity amplifiers


Feature foodPromote through education30-day major upgradeTransparency = TrustBloggle


Reducing mass

Making things manageable

Lowering cost of change

Managing debt


Any questions?

[email protected]

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How to make big things happen with small teams

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