Dynamics of Software Development, Second Edition

Ship Mode: Endgame

As the transition from the onset of ship mode to the endgame nears completion, the team’s focus will shift. In the endgame, there is only one more milestone: shipping. Conceptually, the endgame is a very simple exercise. The team maintain a list of activities. When every activity on the list is complete, you ship. The list might contain hundreds or thousands of items, but it’s still just a list. There’s no time for any effort that doesn’t contribute to completing the items on the list. Every person on the team is expected to complete his or her items as promised. As unanticipated items arise, after appropriate resistance, they are put on the list. The appropriate level of resistance is profound resistance.

How many low-priority ...