There's a saying in the software design industry: "Good…
“There's a saying in the software design industry: "Good. Fast. Cheap. Pick two."”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Balancing quality, speed, and cost is impossible; you can only excel at two aspects at a time.
In simple terms: You can't have good, fast, and cheap simultaneously.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize which two factors matter most for your project.
Themes
project management
software development
trade-offs
Mood
pragmatic
realistic
Type
advisory
strategic
When to use this quote
- product launch
- budget planning
- feature prioritization
- team staffing
Key Concepts
triad of quality, speed, cost
resource constraints
Questions to Reflect On
- Which two attributes will you choose to prioritize?
- How will you mitigate the impact of the omitted factor?
A Different Perspective
Neglecting the third factor can lead to hidden technical debt or quality issues.