An Approach to Web Development that Reduces Worry
Contrary to popular belief, I’m a nervous fellow. I like to be on time, I like to get there early, and when I make up my mind to do something, I definitely like to focus on getting it done now.
I’m sure this annoys my team at Cheezburger for a number of reasons which I shall enumerate via metaphor.
One must walk before they run. And, Rome wasn’t built in a day.
It goes without saying that I agree with these sentiments. As I said, I get nervous; time allows opportunity for something to come along and derail the project. A derailed project is wasreful, and if there is anything I dislike more than yellow mustard, it is waste.
There’s an approach to web and software development intended to act as a salve against my worries. I think it could applied to most types of projects, though.
First, just make it work. Even if it’s ugly or klunky or kludgey. I often refer to this as “The Happy Path”; get the basic use cases that satisfy 80% of the users working.
At this point, there will still be a lot of rough edges, but at least you’ll have something functional to show off. Going forward, work on smoothing out the edges.
Next, make it fast. In other words, take out all those rough edges that cause your product to be slow and perform poorly.
Finally, make it pretty. This is the phase where you smooth out all of the user interface and experience issues. This includes the rough edges related to edge cases and look and feel. (One reason to consider why this step is last: what’s the point in smoothing out the UI if the product doesn’t function?)
Often, we follow this process at Cheezburger, and it tends to work in terms of productivity.
And, I worry less, too. 
I really like this approach and use it for most of what I do online. But I get into all-or-nothing phases where I won’t even start on a project if I don’t think I can make it turn out perfect. Never starting is a waste of a good idea and opportunity.
Has this been an evolving approach for you all at Cheezburger? Or has that always been at the core of how you get things done?
@JesseLuna
2 Mar 10 at 7:45 am
I’ve always liked the expression “perfection is the enemy of good.”
David Geller
2 Mar 10 at 3:32 pm
@JesseLuna It has pretty much always been at the core.
scottporad
3 Mar 10 at 9:55 pm
I really like this approach and use it for most of what I do online. But I get into all-or-nothing phases where I won’t even start on a project if I don’t think I can make it turn out perfect. Never starting is a waste of a good idea and opportunity.
social network web development
18 Mar 10 at 6:11 am