#12 More Effective Agile, Part 4: Keep Projects Small, Keep Sprints Short, Deliver in Vertical Slices

Fourth in our series in which Steve McConnell describes the 28 key principles in his new book, More Effective Agile (Construx Press, 2019). The principles discussed this time: "Keep Projects Small." Small projects are easier and more often successful. Not all work can be structured into small projects, but the work that can be structured that way should be. (See page 120 in the book.) "Keep Sprints Short." Short sprints support a frequent Inspect and Adapt feedback loop. They expose problems quickly, making it easy to nip small problems in the bud before they become large problems. (See page 123.) "Deliver in Vertical Slices." Feedback is important in Agile. Teams get better feedback on their technology and design choices—both from customers and the business—when they deliver in vertical slices rather than horizontal slices. (See page 128.)