--- robots: noindex, nofollow tags: process, draft --- # Shaping a Project Properties of well shaped projects: From: [Principles of Shaping](https://basecamp.com/shapeup/1.1-chapter-02#property-1-its-rough) 1. Rough - Unfinished, not too much detail - Room for real contributions from others 3. Solved - Despite unfinished, it is thought through - All the pieces at the macro level are there and fit together - Clear direction showing the approach - Obvious holes and risks have been removed - Call out how we expect to resolve anticipated problems 5. Bounded - Also indicates what *not* to do - There is a specific amount of time to spend on the project - Scope has been limited to fit the appetite for investment >Taken together, the **roughness** leaves room for the team to resolve all the details, while the **solution** and **boundaries** act like guard rails. They reduce risk and channel the team’s efforts, making sure they don’t build too much, wander around, or get stuck. ## Steps to shaping From: [Steps to shaping](https://basecamp.com/shapeup/1.1-chapter-02#steps-to-shaping) 1. [Set boundaries](https://basecamp.com/shapeup/1.2-chapter-03) - Figure out how much time the idea is worth (Appetite) - Narrow down the the problem 2. Rough out the solution (or "elements") Iterate quickly, likely alone or with a partner to produce: - An idea that solves the problem within the appetite, but without all the fine details worked out 3. Address [risks and "rabbit holes"](https://basecamp.com/shapeup/1.4-chapter-05) This step is critical and what allows us to execute predictably - Find holes and issues that could trip up the team implementing the solution - Add details or reduce scope to prevent the team from getting stuck or wasting time 4. [Write the pitch](https://basecamp.com/shapeup/1.4-chapter-05) - Once we shaped the project enough to bet on it write it up - The pitch summarizes the problem, constraints, solution, rabbit holes, and limitations - Used to kick off the project and explain it to the team that will build it ## Pitch template/ingredients Find the template here: [Project template](https://hackmd.io/GAUYjmVZSNibiTOhxOiQ_w)