A better way to plan, build, and ship products | Ryan Singer (creator of “Shape Up,” early employee at 37signals) | Lenny's Podcast: Product | Growth | Career | Podwise
This episode explores the Shape Up method, a distinct approach to software development contrasting with Agile and Scrum methodologies. Against the backdrop of increasing interest in alternative development processes, especially in the context of AI's transformative impact, the interview delves into Shape Up's core principles. More significantly, the discussion highlights Shape Up's emphasis on defining a project's time budget ("appetite") upfront, working backward to determine achievable scope, and fostering intense collaborative "shaping" sessions involving engineers, product managers, and designers. For instance, the example of designing a calendar feature illustrates how this collaborative process clarifies the project's scope and technical feasibility before development begins. The interview also addresses real-world challenges, such as adapting Shape Up to larger organizations with complex dependencies and managing expectations when projects don't meet initial timelines. Ultimately, the episode emphasizes the importance of clear problem definition, collaborative shaping, and realistic timeboxing for successful product development, suggesting that this approach can improve efficiency and team morale. What this means for product teams is a potential shift towards more focused, collaborative planning and a greater emphasis on realistic scoping and time management.
