--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Of course, there is one obvious thing we…" description: "\"“Of course, there is one obvious thing we could do to try to improve velocity: work longer hours. Working a lot of consecutive overtime might initially..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e99/kenneth-s-rubin-59011_end-result_of-course-there-is-one-obvious-thing-we_2273637.jpg" --- # Of course, there is one obvious thing we could do to try… ![“Of course, there is one obvious thing we could do to try to improve velocity: work longer hours. Working a lot of consecutive overtime might initially cause velocity to increase (see “Overtime” in Figure 7.14). Figure 7.14. The effect of overtime on velocity (based on a figure from Cook 2008) That…” quote by Kenneth S. Rubin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e99/kenneth-s-rubin-59011_end-result_of-course-there-is-one-obvious-thing-we_2273637.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e99/kenneth-s-rubin-59011_end-result_of-course-there-is-one-obvious-thing-we_2273637.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e99/kenneth-s-rubin-59011_end-result_of-course-there-is-one-obvious-thing-we_2273637.jpg) > ““Of course, there is one obvious thing we could do to try to improve velocity: work longer hours. Working a lot of consecutive overtime might initially cause velocity to increase (see “Overtime” in Figure 7.14). Figure 7.14. The effect of overtime on velocity (based on a figure from Cook 2008) That increase will almost certainly be followed by an aggressive decline in velocity along with a simultaneous decline in quality. Even after the overtime period ends, the team will need some amount of time to recover before returning to its reasonable baseline velocity. I have seen examples of where the trough (decreased velocity area) during the recovery period is larger than the crest (increased velocity area) during the overtime period. The end result is that lots of overtime may provide some short-term benefits, but these are frequently far outweighed by the long-term consequences.”” [Kenneth S. Rubin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-s-rubin/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Working long overtime may boost short‑term speed but leads to a sharp decline in productivity and quality, requiring a recovery period that often outweighs any gains. **In simple terms:** Overtime gives a temporary speed boost but harms long‑term performance. Key Takeaway Avoid excessive overtime; prioritize sustainable pace. Themes productivity quality team health sustainability Mood cautious analytical Type advice warning analytical When to use this quote - software development - project management - agile teams Key Concepts burnout diminishing returns recovery cycles Questions to Reflect On - How can teams balance short‑term pressure with long‑term health? - What metrics reveal hidden overtime costs? A Different Perspective Sustained overtime can cause morale loss and higher defect rates. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [End result](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/end-result/) ## Related quotes > [The end result of how I obviously departed from the Cubs wasn't ideal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kyle-schwarber/the-end-result-of-how-i-obviously-departed-from-the-cubs-wasn-t-ideal/) [Kyle Schwarber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kyle-schwarber/) > [Life is precious Life is a god sent gift and it is your duty to live it to the full. 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