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The 20 Standish Group rules based on the Success versus Value orthogonal to achieve a value-based environment Rule #1 Leaders should lead: Every project needs a skilled executive sponsor. Velocity versus control orthogonal Less versus more orthogonal Risk versus comfort orthogonal Value Worthless Failure Success Rule #2 Always be communicative: Have and use an easy and straightforward method of communication. Rule #3 The rule of three: focus on items, goals, benefits. Rule #4 People over process: creating and maintaining a community. Rule #5 Don’t fail to fail: The only time you really fail is when you do not try. Rule #6 Action is better than clarity: Reduce or give up control of the business objectives to encourage and promote innovation. Rule #7 Just do it: Observe, orient, decide and act. Rule #8 Eagles don’t flock: Have a small team, with only highly talented persons. Rule #9 Speed thrills: Have fast user feedback and speedy delivery. Rule #10 A stitch in time saves nine: After each quality assurance level it will cost 10 times more in terms of time and money to fix a defect as in the prior stage. Rule #11 Don’t confuse activity with progress: Focuss on delivering products and not on useless processes. Rule #12 Don’t reinvent the wheel: Use existing components to complete a project rather than developing them from scratch. Rule #13 Only do what is important: 20% of software features actually get used. Rule #14 Complexity causes confusion and costs: Always keep it simple. Rule #15 Good things come in small packages: Always keep it small. Rule #16 Half a loaf is better than none: The product evolves. Start with incomplete requirements. Rule #17 Run emotions high: Organizational culture improvements increases the value of the portfolio. Rule #18 Only count what counts: Track three measurements accurately. Rule #19 Lay a good foundation: Standard infra and development environment. Rule #20 Tools are for fools: Tools don’t deliver enough value for money. Most of the high value projects in the Standish Group database are SAFE projects (Simple, Absorbent, Fast and Economical) Henny Portman, Febr’2016. Based on the Chaos Manifesto 2014: Value versus Success & the Orthogonals.
