1. Simplicity

We simplify complexity to maximize our impact.

The following points apply to everything we create (code, tools, documentation, processes, meetings and many more).

• We’re good at 🌏 naming things.

  • Names are meaningful and descriptive: We don’t name things after dragons, spaceships, gods or people.

  • We build a shared vocabulary and avoid ambiguity.

  • We don’t partially rename things. Having an outdated name is better than two names.

  • We use industry-standard names when available.

• We minimize surprises for our co-workers, customers and future selves to increase speed and quality.

  • We document decisions and prepare large decisions with memos to reduce noise and confusion.

  • We (re)structure knowledge regularly and make it discoverable to ease onboarding, reduce partial knowledge and reduce redundant communication.

• We think and decide rationally, informedly and unemotionally.

  • We make ourselves and each other aware of trade-offs.

  • We challenge and reflect on how we do things to always improve.

• We acknowledge that multitasking doesn’t work for complex topics. We divide and conquer.

• We make our code and its history self-documenting.

Consistent over Perfect

The second-best solution can be our ideal if its more consistent with our environment and therefore keeps our environment simple to navigate.

Reuse over Customize over Reinvent

We take what already exists and try it out. That gives us real-world data to continuously adjust our approach. Depending on scope, we resolve conflicts based on the tech strategy and input from squad members or tech managers.