2-2-2 Project Scoping Technique


My earlier work titled: "A Quick Study of the Canine Form"

2-2-2 stands for 2 hours, 2 days and 2 weeks. It's a technique of scoping experiment work I learned from Jordi Bruin and I've applied it to a bunch of projects including Sit. .

It reminds me of the 3-3-3 Rule for Rescue Dogs, but imagine that you're replacing dogs with... idea puppies!

Edit: Jordi!!! published a talk about his approach on Vimeo. I haven't watched it yet, so please consider the note below a weird cousin of his idea (probably very similar).

2-2-2 101

So, you have an idea. Here's how to test it:

  1. You have 2 hours to build a proof of concept. Answer the question: is it possible? does it even make sense?
    • if not: bin it, start again!
  2. You have 2 days to build a prototype to share with friends. Is it solving their problem? Is it entertaining? Does it have the effect you want it to have?
  3. You have 2 weeks to build an MVP. Make it useful. Make it a paid product if your goal is to charge for it.

None of this is really new. Perhaps you've built your own products or worked for an XP shop, a HCD shop, or any design-driven organisation that that does more than Agile Pantomime — this split of work should sound familiar.

And that's what I like about this approach: it's so concise. It communicates so well the value of:

Plus, it's an excuse to give yourself some structure by separating focussed time from play. 2 hours just doesn't seem like a huge time commitment to start with.

But what if 2 hours is not enough?

Related: Code Spikes.

  1. Reduce scope:
    1. Rick a subproblem.
    2. Redefine the problem (turn it into n problems).
  2. Allocate more than 2 hours.
    • This is not a cult, you're allowed to make changes. No one will spank you if you do (I think.)
  3. Don't do it. Pick a different idea to work on.

Related: Instead or writing a comment, write a post and link it

Want to receive my work as I publish it? Subscribe here.

a giant foot-shaped snail with a house on its back. the house is still in construction, with a big crane towering above it The image is a stylized black-and-white illustration. In the lower left corner, there is a small, cozy-looking house with smoke rising from its chimney. The smoke, however, does not dissipate into the air but instead forms a dark, looming cloud. Within the cloud, the silhouette of a large, menacing face is visible, with its eyes and nose peeking through the darkness. The creature, perhaps a cat, appears to be watching over the house ominously, creating a sense of foreboding or unease.