Have you ever played Tetris? If so, you know that every decision, every piece, and every move counts. The same applies to software development. Every choice, every line of code, and every interaction influences the final outcome. This post will explore how Lean software development and the "safe small steps" approach can simplify complexity and create efficient systems.
Small Steps: The Simplicity of Tetris
Just like in Tetris, where we choose where to place small pieces to complete lines, in software development, we continuously make decisions about how to build our product. These decisions, when made in small increments, allow us to:
- Iterate quickly: Fixes and adjustments are simpler.
- Reduce risks: We limit potential errors at each stage.
- Understand better: Each step is understood and analyzed more clearly.
Principles of Lean Software Development
Based on Lean philosophy, Lean software development focuses on maximizing customer value and minimizing waste. Some of the key principles include:
- Reduce waste: Eliminate the unnecessary and focus on the essentials. Every step must add value or increase the internal or external quality of the product.
- Decide as late as possible: Be flexible and adapt to changes. See Lean Software development: The art of postponing decisions.
- Deliver quickly: Allows for feedback and adaptation to customer needs.
- Build with integrity and quality: Ensures a reliable and long-lasting product. This is key to maintaining speed sustainably over time.
- Proactively simplify: Avoid unnecessary complexity and keep the system manageable. Simplification also adds value, protecting the current value and avoiding future costs.
Small Steps: The Simplicity and Continuity of Tetris
Tetris, one of the most iconic video games in history, presents us with a continuous and infinite challenge. In it, pieces of different shapes fall from the top of the screen at an increasing speed. Our task is to accommodate these pieces efficiently at the bottom, trying to fit them so that they complete horizontal lines. Completing these lines eliminates them, granting us points and, more importantly, space to continue playing.
In Tetris, value accumulates by adding points, piece by piece, line by line. However, the real challenge and essence of the game lie in balancing the accumulation of that value (points) while managing increasing complexity (the accumulated pieces). If we allow the pieces to pile up and reach the top of the screen, we lose the game.
Similarly, in software development, we continuously decide how to build our product. Like in Tetris, we must accumulate value (features and characteristics) while managing and keeping complexity at bay. These decisions, when made in small increments or "steps," allow us to:
- Iterate quickly: Fixes and adjustments are simpler.
- Reduce risks: We limit potential errors at each stage.
- Understand better: Each step is understood and analyzed more clearly.
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| Tetris / Larger vs Smaller pieces |
Just like playing with large pieces in Tetris, working with large steps in software development makes the game/work much more difficult and stressful.
Conclusion
Software development is not just about writing code; it's about making informed and continuous decisions to create valuable products. Just like in Tetris, every piece, every step, counts. Embrace the Lean philosophy and focus on safe small steps to simplify, adapt, and deliver with quality.
If this approach has intrigued you, I invite you to delve deeper into Lean software development and experience how it can transform your development process.
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