Book Review: Rework - Jason Fried & David Heinemeier Hansson

My book notes that influenced me a lot for a decade to strive for simplicity and take the pragmatic approach.

Less Is More & Simplification

Design software to be simple. Most software is too complex, has too many features, too many buttons, too much confusion.

• Keep features to a minimum, max 2 people on a product, embrace constraints
• Build half a product — start chopping and cutting out things
• Constantly look for things to remove, simplify, and streamline
• Speed, simplicity, ease of use, and clarity
• Focus on what won’t change
• Underdo your competition — solve the simple problems
• Highlight that your product does less — be proud of it
• Once a product does what it should do — get it out there

Q: If you had to launch your product / business in 2 weeks, what would you cut out?

Prioritization

Long lists don’t get done! Chunk into smaller lists. Prioritize visibly — only focus on the top of the list.

• Judo solutions: maximum result with minimum effort
• Timeliness is more important than polish or even quality
• Don’t confuse enthusiasm with priority
• Say no — use the power of saying no to get your priorities straight
• You can’t be everything to everyone

Execution

• Decide what you’re going to do this week instead of long-range planning
• Quick wins instead of very long running projects
• Q: What can be done in 2 weeks?
• Speed changes everything: get back to people quickly
• Make tiny decisions — tiny mistakes instead of big decisions, big mistakes
• Focus on what really matters: getting customers and making money

Product Vision

• Get real — instead of describing, draw it
• Get the chisel out and start making something real
• Create a great product or service you want to use — you know the problem and the value intimately
• It’s not about packaging, marketing, or price. It’s only about quality
• Tone is in your fingers, not the gear and equipment

Recruiting

• Do it yourself first — hire when it hurts
• Candidates: dedication, personality, and intelligence instead of CV and years of experience
• Hire Managers of One — people who come up with own goals and execute them
• Clear writing is a sign of clear thinking
• Test-drive employees with a quick project

Meetings and Communication

Meetings are toxic — if really needed:

• Clear agenda and as few people as possible
• Specific problems
• Point to real things, suggest real changes
• End with a solution and someone responsible for implementing it