Glossaries
Shape Up Method
What is the Shape Up Method?
The Shape Up Method is a product development approach created by Basecamp that focuses on six-week cycles of work, with clearly defined projects and no daily meetings. It emphasizes shaping work beforehand, giving teams full autonomy, and limiting work in progress.
Synonyms: Basecamp's Shape Up, Shape Up product development, Six-week cycle method
How the Shape Up Method Works
The Shape Up Method divides product development into three distinct phases:
- Shaping: Senior members outline project ideas, considering implementation and limitations.
- Betting: Leadership decides which projects to pursue in the next cycle.
- Building: Small teams work autonomously for six weeks to complete the chosen projects.
Benefits of Using the Shape Up Method
- Increased focus and productivity due to limited work-in-progress
- Reduced meeting overhead, allowing more time for actual work
- Greater autonomy for development teams
- Improved project scoping and risk management
Implementing Shape Up in Product Management
To implement Shape Up:
- Start with a six-week work cycle followed by a two-week cool-down period
- Form small, cross-functional teams (2-3 people)
- Create "appetite" for projects instead of traditional time estimates
- Use "pitch" documents to propose and shape new ideas
Frequently Asked Questions
- What makes Shape Up different from Agile?: Shape Up uses longer cycles (six weeks) compared to Agile's shorter sprints, and it doesn't use daily standups or backlog grooming.
- Can Shape Up work for large organizations?: Yes, but it may require adaptation. It works best for smaller, autonomous teams within larger structures.
- How does Shape Up handle urgent issues or bugs?: Shape Up recommends dedicating some team capacity to addressing urgent issues, while maintaining focus on the main project work.