MENTAL MODEL · M1429

WET - Write Everything Twice

BusinessHigh supportManagement

Included

Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-30

CORE DEFINITION

The inverse principle to DRY (Don't Repeat Yourself). When you need to reuse code for the first time, don't rush to abstract (DRY), but allow yourself to write it twice (WET). Only refactor when it appears a third time.

SCAFFOLDING EFFECT

psychology

Reduce cognitive load

Avoid premature abstraction. In management and process design, premature standardization often leads to rigidity. Allowing a certain degree of redundancy and chaos until the pattern is fully clear is a good remedy against 'over-optimization'.

anchor

Anchor fast decisions

The inverse of DRY—on first reuse, allow writing it twice (WET), and only abstract and refactor when it appears a third time. Avoid premature abstraction: abstracting when the pattern is not clear is error-prone and rigid; allow moderate redundancy until the pattern stabilizes.

MINIMUM ACTION

In progress 0/4

Practice this model in one real situation:

On first occurrence, copy code without abstracting
On second occurrence, still allow writing it twice
On third occurrence, refactor
Same for processes/management.

Check to track your progress (stored locally)

Learning progress0%

account_treeGenealogyexpand_more

menu_bookReferencesexpand_more

Source support: Explicit

link
en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don't_repeat_yourselfZH · Explicit
verified

RELATED MODELS