ShapeUp: A Game Changer for Project Management at Flare

In today’s fast-moving tech landscape, project management methodologies are continually evolving. One such approach that has been gaining traction is ShapeUp, a methodology developed by BaseCamp. It might not be the most commonly known method out there, but for teams at Flare, it has made all the difference.

Benoit Doyon, a Software Development Team Lead at Flare, first stumbled upon the ShapeUp approach during his interview process. His soon-to-be manager casually mentioned that they utilized a methodology that might not be familiar to many. With over a decade of experience in software development, Doyon was initially skeptical. «If there was a better way to do things, surely I’d have heard of it,» he thought. But, as he soon discovered, ShapeUp would reshuffle his understanding of project management and team collaboration.

Doyon’s career has taken him through various team dynamics, both good and bad. He reflects on the many dysfunctional teams he encountered along the way, as well as those stellar teams that surpassed expectations. Through this journey, he looked for ways to replicate successful team conditions. Initially, he was a staunch advocate for SCRUM, believing in the agility that the methodology promised. Yet, he often found himself facing challenges that blocked teams from reaching their full potential.

So, what is ShapeUp all about? Flare has integrated this methodology to streamline their projects. Doyon notes that the ShapeUp book serves as essential reading for all new hires. It’s a concise guide, but it lays out some foundational principles: no backlog, blurry project definitions, and cooldown periods.

One of the standout features of ShapeUp is its simplicity combined with its depth. Doyon highlights several advantages his team has experienced since implementing this approach. They have embraced a big-picture focus, and one of the most refreshing changes is the absence of the dreaded “just one more sprint” attitude that often leads to the exhaustion of developers.

Another notable aspect of ShapeUp that has made waves at Flare is the cooldown periods. These breaks between project cycles provide a chance for developers to regroup, recharge, and brainstorm new ideas. Doyon shares that business stakeholders have even noted the productivity flow during these cooldowns, often suggesting they should occur more frequently.

During cooldowns, developers have the chance to explore their passions without the pressures of deadlines. «It turns out that if you hire developers that care about their craft and let them run loose for two weeks once in a while, they contribute meaningfully,» Doyon explains. Interns at Flare, typically there for only four months, also reap benefits from the ShapeUp cycles, allowing them to align their work with university schedules and holidays.

Introducing people to ShapeUp can be a game-changer in their perception of project management. Candidates intrigued by the methodology often light up when they learn about it during interviews. Doyon has found that newly hired employees, previously unfamiliar with ShapeUp, end up becoming its biggest advocates after experiencing its advantages firsthand. “After a year with ShapeUp, I know I’m sold,” he states.

Beyond merely being a project management tool, ShapeUp fosters a creative and collaborative environment that changes how teams tackle problem-solving. It nurtures relationships based on trust and encourages innovative thinking among staff, leading to significant advancements in productivity and job satisfaction.

For those who find themselves grappling with their current project management methodologies or are simply curious about exploring new options, Doyon suggests looking into ShapeUp. “It might just revolutionize your team’s productivity and satisfaction as it has for us at Flare,” he adds enthusiastically.