Build features and foundation simultaneously through iterative refinement. Maintain 'best possible product at every moment.' Sketch-to-detail approach ensures completeness and shippability throughout. Trigger keywords: parallel development, breadth first, sketch to detail, MVP strategy, all features simultaneously, minimum viable product, product steering.
Build features and foundation simultaneously. Maintain "best possible product at every moment."
"Rather than drawing one corner in perfect detail while leaving the rest blank (feature-at-a-time), or spending all time preparing the canvas (foundation-first), sketch the rough outline first. Then progressively add detail to the whole picture until time runs out."
Guarantee: At ANY point, you have a complete recognizable product.
List every feature needed for product viability. Complete enough > glorious enough (breadth before depth).
Identify: Core features (must-have), Desirable features (add value), Foundation (infrastructure).
For EACH feature, define the simplest functional version:
Goal: Every feature has a "simple yet functional" V1.0.
Work streams across all features simultaneously:
Deliverable: Sketch of entire product — complete and shippable.
Refine all features to V1.1, V1.2 together. Steering determines where to add detail.
Week 1-2: Rough sketch (all features at V1.0)
Week 3-4: Add rough color (all features at V1.1)
Week 5-6: Add detail selectively (steering-driven)
Weekly review:
| Pattern | Symptom | Intervention |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation Creep | Infrastructure consuming most time | "What features need this? Defer until needed." |
| Feature Perfectionism | One feature perfect, others missing | "Good enough for now. Bring others up." |
| Scope Creep | New features added mid-development | "Add to backlog for next phase." |
| No Steering | Rigidly following initial plan | "Adjust priorities based on what you've learned." |