The Mythical Man Month “Plan to throw one away”

“Pilot Plant” Have you ever tried to cook for a lot of people? Right Proportion?

Measure twice, cut once In most projects, the first system is barely usable. Should you built a throw a way system?

Management question Plan for a throw away system? Deliver first system to your customer?

Building a throw away system The new version will include lessons learned. Produce a better product Better chance of success Not building a throw away system ▪ Able to meet time deadlines ▪ Agony for the user ▪ Bad reputation

First built This is a picture of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. At the time, the third longest suspension bridge in the world.

General Consensus Systems need more management control. Changes are inevitable. J. Cosgrove author of the article “Needed: a new planning framework” Treat all plans, milestones and schedules as tentative, so as to facilitate changes.

Changes continue Level of expertise Capitalize on capabilities Fixing problems create more problems

Highlights Planning Rebuild Changes Changes creates more problems