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title: Shaping a Project
tags: [process, ' draft']

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tags: process, draft
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# 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)