Unpacking 37signals' Timeless Approach to Web Product Development
“Getting Real:The smarter, faster, easier way to build a successful web application” authored by the team at 37signals, stands as a timeless tome on the art of simplicity in software and web product development. Having deeply resonated with our approach at CONFLICT, we delve into its core principles and their implications.
1. Start Small
“Getting Real” champions the idea of starting small - launching the simplest version of your idea first. This resonates with the Lean Startup’s MVP (Minimum Viable Product) approach, saving time and resources.
2. Stay Lean
Beyond just the product, the book encourages businesses to maintain lean teams and processes. It’s a call to avoid unnecessary meetings, paperwork, and hierarchies, something we’ve passionately embraced.
3. Less as a Competitive Advantage
In a world obsessed with feature-packed products, 37signals argues that ‘less’ can be a USP. We’ve found this to be true. Often, a simplified user experience can set a product apart in a cluttered market.
4. Embrace Constraints
Instead of viewing constraints as obstacles, “Getting Real” sees them as tools for focused and creative solutions. Budget constraints, time limitations, or resource crunches can lead to innovative outcomes.
5. Iterative Design
Building a product isn’t a one-time event. Continuous iterations based on user feedback and changing market dynamics is the key to a product’s longevity and relevance.
6. Say No by Default
A groundbreaking thought from the book is to say ‘no’ to most things. While it sounds counterintuitive, saying no keeps the product aligned with its core value proposition and avoids unnecessary bloat.
7. Build Half a Product, Not a Half-Baked Product
This principle underscores the idea of delivering complete and polished features, even if they are few, rather than many underdeveloped ones.
Conclusion
“Getting Real” has been instrumental in shaping our philosophy at CONFLICT. 37signals' emphasis on real-world results over elaborate documentation and planning has empowered us to deliver tangible value swiftly. As we’ve learned from the book, keeping it real often means keeping it simple, and that’s a guiding light we cherish.