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The Purpose Driven Startup

30 points by Fortative 10y ago

vinceguidry 10y ago
I'm getting a little sick of hearing the "X Driven Y" construct. What made Test Driven Development so powerful was how it creates a workflow that allows a developer to reduce cognitive load by moving across layers of abstraction intelligibly. Tests drive your development. At any point, you can simply run the tests and get an accurate picture of where the project is at. If it's all green, write more tests, if you have failing tests, fix the tests. It's something that every single other X Driven Y idea I've seen has completely lacked. Yes it's nice for an organization to have purpose beyond profit. But how do you actually do it? How do you solve the infinitely-many hard problems business throws at you and still retain your vaunted purpose? Is there a way to iterate from a normal enterprise in the direction of purpose, or does the paradigm force you to just start a new startup? TDD wrapped answers to all the problems it solved into a neat little workflow. This does nothing of the sort. I'm going to start thinking of these the same way I think about mall Cajun food.
- spraak 10y ago
  I really don't think that TDD was the beginning of the 'X Driven Y' construct, though maybe you're not saying that directly here. > But how do you actually do it? How do you solve the infinitely-many hard problems business throws at you and still retain your vaunted purpose? Sorry, but it sounds like you haven't experienced what it's like to be driven by a purpose. It works the same as you describe TDD, > Tests drive your development. At any point, you can simply run the tests and get an accurate picture of where the project is at. If it's all green, write more tests, if you have failing tests, fix the tests. only that trying to automated it would probably require some machine/deep learning, and so at this point the 'green' (and 'red') comes from your own internal/obvserved understanding of your direction and current state. TDD is rather just a part of what being 'Purpose Driven' means, for even with it, there is still a purpose (usually 'to have bug free, well working code and product')
hkon 10y ago
I think this is a good concept for startups. If you can get people to trade their time for a purpose instead of money, you will spend less and get dedicated workers making you rich.
- white-flame 10y ago
  Poe's law is strong here.
  - hkon 10y ago
    Did not know about that law. Good concept. It captures the absurdity I was aiming for completely.
qwrusz 10y ago
What is this? It looks like just an advertisement for startup consultant based out of Raleigh, North Carolina? There's a cynical saying that is basically: anytime you meet a "startup consultant for hire" there's usually a sad story there, and the only reason to pay for a startup consultant is to ask them why their own startup failed and get advice about what not to do. With that said, unfortunately the startup world really is in desperate need of honest, affordable, talented business consultants without conflict of interest. But the best people to do this type of work are busy running companies or have enough money to retire and don't sell consulting services to startups (though many of them do some angel/VC investing and advise their portfolio co's). I'm not sure what the story is for this link or if it fits HN guidelines. But either way, good luck on the new consulting business! and Happy Holidays!
- danieltillett 10y ago
  Yes there is a massive need for good, conflict-free advice. For what it is worth, my advice is ask for advice from people who don't have time to give advice.
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30 points by Fortative 10y ago

I'm getting a little sick of hearing the "X Driven Y" construct. What made Test Driven Development so powerful was how it creates a workflow that allows a developer to reduce cognitive load by moving across layers of abstraction intelligibly. Tests drive your development. At any point, you can simply run the tests and get an accurate picture of where the project is at. If it's all green, write more tests, if you have failing tests, fix the tests. It's something that every single other X Driven Y idea I've seen has completely lacked. Yes it's nice for an organization to have purpose beyond profit. But how do you actually do it? How do you solve the infinitely-many hard problems business throws at you and still retain your vaunted purpose? Is there a way to iterate from a normal enterprise in the direction of purpose, or does the paradigm force you to just start a new startup? TDD wrapped answers to all the problems it solved into a neat little workflow. This does nothing of the sort. I'm going to start thinking of these the same way I think about mall Cajun food.

spraak 10y ago
I really don't think that TDD was the beginning of the 'X Driven Y' construct, though maybe you're not saying that directly here. > But how do you actually do it? How do you solve the infinitely-many hard problems business throws at you and still retain your vaunted purpose? Sorry, but it sounds like you haven't experienced what it's like to be driven by a purpose. It works the same as you describe TDD, > Tests drive your development. At any point, you can simply run the tests and get an accurate picture of where the project is at. If it's all green, write more tests, if you have failing tests, fix the tests. only that trying to automated it would probably require some machine/deep learning, and so at this point the 'green' (and 'red') comes from your own internal/obvserved understanding of your direction and current state. TDD is rather just a part of what being 'Purpose Driven' means, for even with it, there is still a purpose (usually 'to have bug free, well working code and product')

hkon 10y ago

I think this is a good concept for startups. If you can get people to trade their time for a purpose instead of money, you will spend less and get dedicated workers making you rich.

white-flame 10y ago
Poe's law is strong here.
- hkon 10y ago
  Did not know about that law. Good concept. It captures the absurdity I was aiming for completely.

qwrusz 10y ago

What is this? It looks like just an advertisement for startup consultant based out of Raleigh, North Carolina? There's a cynical saying that is basically: anytime you meet a "startup consultant for hire" there's usually a sad story there, and the only reason to pay for a startup consultant is to ask them why their own startup failed and get advice about what not to do. With that said, unfortunately the startup world really is in desperate need of honest, affordable, talented business consultants without conflict of interest. But the best people to do this type of work are busy running companies or have enough money to retire and don't sell consulting services to startups (though many of them do some angel/VC investing and advise their portfolio co's). I'm not sure what the story is for this link or if it fits HN guidelines. But either way, good luck on the new consulting business! and Happy Holidays!

danieltillett 10y ago
Yes there is a massive need for good, conflict-free advice. For what it is worth, my advice is ask for advice from people who don't have time to give advice.
- deleted 10y ago
  [deleted]

deleted 10y ago

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