We have all fallen for the trap. You buy the €20 boots instead of the €150 pair. Two months later, the soles detach. You buy another cheap pair. Repeat. By the end of the year, you have spent €150, but you still have wet feet and bad shoes.

This economic reality applies to more than just footwear; it is also the silent killer of software projects and business concepts.

The Hacky Tax

In the rush to launch, we often confuse Agile with Sloppy. We choose the hacky workaround to save a few hours today.

• We hard-code variables.
• We skip the automated tests.
• We ignore the edge cases.

We think we are being efficient. In reality, we are taking out a high-interest loan. This is Technical Debt. When you eventually have to scale, that debt comes due. You won’t just pay the principal (doing the work you skipped); you will pay the interest (dismantling the bad work first) and the penalty fees (downtime and bugs).

Small vs. Sloppy

There is a better way. It lies in understanding the difference between Scope and Quality.

Many teams try to build a massive product with low quality (the hacky way). Instead, you should build a tiny product with high quality.

Start small. But do it right from Day 1.

If you are building a car, don’t build a half-finished Ferrari with no brakes. Build a skateboard. It’s small, simple, and cheap but it functions perfectly for its intended use. It is solid.

The New Rule

When you are conceptualizing your next prototype or making your next purchase, remember:

1. Reduce the Scope: Cut the features down to the bare minimum.
2. Maximize the Quality: Execute that minimum viable version flawlessly.

Don’t be cheap. Be concise. It costs less in the long run.