Knowing when to ship
Put the work in front of someone.
Put the work in front of someone. This guide is a starting point for turning an idea into useful work, with people who help you move it forward.
Decide what must work
Write down the things a person needs to complete the main task. Check them from their point of view, including what happens when something goes wrong.
Prepare the handover
If you are selling a download, check the files and instructions. If you are launching a website, check it on a phone and test the full journey. Make the price, delivery and next step clear.
Start with a small audience
Share the work with people who understand the need. Give them an easy way to tell you what happened. A first release is a chance to learn from real use.
Keep building from what you learn
Look for the improvements that make the product more useful. Keep a record of what changed and why. The next version should come from what people need, alongside your own judgment.