Design Quote by Larry Wall
“There's a saying in the software design industry: "Good. Fast. Cheap. Pick two."”
About This Quote
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.
