Done is Better Than Perfect
Updated 2026-08-10
INTRODUCTION
English translation pending.
CORE DEFINITION
A product and creative principle associated with the minimum viable product and iterative development, often stated as done is better than perfect. The core proposition is that perfectionism blocks starting and delays feedback, so shipping a sufficient version early generates information that closed-door polishing cannot. The key qualification is that the threshold for done must be explicit, since the rule is not a licence for careless work.
SCAFFOLDING EFFECT
Reduce cognitive load
- Version floor: define the smallest version that is genuinely usable. - Ship gate: release when the floor is met instead of polishing further. - Feedback loop: use real reactions to decide what to improve next.
Anchor fast decisions
Perfectionism converts an open task into an unbounded one, because no version ever satisfies the internal standard, which blocks starting. Shipping a rough version closes the loop early and replaces speculation with observed response. Iterations then target real defects rather than imagined ones, so each unit of effort buys more improvement.
MINIMUM ACTION
In progress 0/1Practice this model in one real situation:
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Source support: Explicit
- en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perfect_is_the_enemy_of_goodverified
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