Tech's Misuse of the Pareto Principle: 80% Effort, 20% Product?

2025-01-23
Tech's Misuse of the Pareto Principle: 80% Effort, 20% Product?

In game development, the concept of a 'vertical slice' emphasizes completeness, while the tech industry's prevalent 'Minimum Viable Product' (MVP) prioritizes rapid iteration. The author argues that overemphasis on the Pareto Principle (80% of results from 20% effort) leads to many tech products remaining rough MVPs, lacking final polish and leaving users dissatisfied. This isn't just seen in apps and software but also impacts AI, like self-driving cars and image generation; these are promising but far from practical. The author calls for a shift in mindset, valuing completeness and user experience over rapid iteration and funding.

Development Pareto Principle