The temptation to build everything
When a project begins, it is easy to describe a system that does everything. That instinct is understandable but it delays shipping and inflates cost, often before the team has learned what matters most.
Define the one job
A good first version does one job well, for the people who need it most. Everything else can follow once the core is proven in real use.
Separate must, should, and later
- Must: without this, the system is pointless
- Should: valuable, but the system works without it at first
- Later: genuine ideas that are not needed to launch
Write down what you are not building
An explicit list of excluded features is as useful as the included ones. It prevents scope drift and sets honest expectations.
Plan for the second version
Choosing what to defer is not the same as ignoring it. A sound first version leaves a clear path to extend.