At OpenTurf, we believe that shipping fast and shipping right are not just goals but guiding principles for everything we do. The seven principles discussed here form the foundation of how we operate as a Virtual Technology Organization (VTO), enabling our teams to collaborate seamlessly and deliver exceptional software solutions for our customers.
Principle #1: Ship Something Small First
Big ideas start with small steps. At OpenTurf, we believe the quickest way to validate assumptions is to deliver a tangible product, no matter how small. By focusing on Minimum Viable Products (MVPs) or even prototypes, we ensure that our customers see early results and gain confidence in the process.
How we do it: Weekly releases. Start with a core feature or the simplest iteration of the product and gather feedback.
Why it works: Small wins build momentum, keep the team motivated, and align with our customers’ evolving needs.
Principle #2: Focus on What Matters Most
In software development, it’s easy to get lost in endless feature requests and “nice-to-haves.” At OpenTurf, prioritizing what matters most to our customers goes beyond just building features — it’s about aligning with their true business goals. While we recognize that customers often know what they want better than anyone else, we’re not afraid to challenge decisions and propose alternative solutions when we believe there’s a better approach.
Our philosophy: We prioritize collaboration over mere compliance, engaging in open and honest conversations with our customers.
Our method: We use prioritization frameworks like MoSCoW to identify “must-haves” and defer less critical items.
Why it matters: By asking the tough questions and offering thoughtful suggestions, we ensure the best possible outcomes, even if it means being wrong at times. We value learning and iteration over playing it safe.
Customer benefit: Customers receive immediate value, without the distraction of over-engineered solutions.
This fearless approach allows us to strike the perfect balance between customer vision and technical expertise, delivering meaningful solutions that drive success.
Principle #3: Reduce Process Fatigue
Bureaucracy is the death of innovation. For OpenTurf, simplicity in processes is key. We avoid unnecessary complexity and focus on lightweight workflows that empower teams to move quickly.
How we streamline: Agile methodologies like Scrum and Kanban ensure clear goals and progress tracking without overloading teams with documentation.
Outcome: Teams can focus on delivering results rather than navigating cumbersome processes.
Principle #4: Embrace Feedback Early and Often
Customer feedback is the heartbeat of any successful project. At OpenTurf, we build for collaboration, actively engaging customers and stakeholders at every step. By engaging customers and stakeholders at every stage of development, we ensure the product evolves in the right direction. One of our core practices is weekly releases, which play a pivotal role in gathering timely feedback and maintaining project transparency.
How weekly releases help:
• They provide our customers with the visibility they need to stay informed about project progress.
• They enable customers to make more informed decisions and adjust their plans based on real-time insights.
• They create a feedback loop that ensures adjustments can be made early, avoiding costly changes later.
Tools we use: Feature toggles, beta releases, and continuous user acceptance testing (UAT) to gather real-world insights.
Impact: Frequent feedback loops allow us to adjust course and improve before final delivery.
With regular iterations and open communication, we build trust, keep our customers in the loop, and ensure the final product meets their expectations. This principle ensures that we stay aligned with their goals while adapting to changes swiftly.
Principle #5: Optimize for the Next Step
Instead of over-engineering solutions for hypothetical future needs, we focus on solving today’s problems while ensuring scalability for tomorrow.
Our philosophy: Build systems that are modular and extensible. Start simple and evolve based on customer needs.
Examples: By leveraging microservices architecture and cloud-native technologies, we make sure projects are adaptable to change.
Principle #6: Build for Collaboration, Not Isolation
Collaboration is at the heart of OpenTurf’s VTO model. We ensure our teams and customers stay connected through transparent communication and structured governance practices. Strong partnerships, both within teams and with customers, are the key to delivering successful software solutions.
Our approach to collaboration includes:
• Transparent workflows: We leverage platforms like Jira, Slack, and Confluence to keep all team members aligned and ensure clear visibility of progress.
• Cross-functional teamwork: We involve developers, QA, and DevOps teams early in the process, enabling seamless handoffs and reducing silos.
• Weekly governance meetings with the product owner: These ensure close alignment with day-to-day priorities, provide a platform for resolving challenges, and allow quick course corrections.
• Bi-monthly governance meetings with the customer’s management team: These help align strategic goals, review project milestones, and provide a holistic view of the project’s progress and impact.
By maintaining consistent communication channels and fostering a culture of transparency, we ensure that no aspect of the project operates in isolation. This principle strengthens relationships, reduces miscommunication, and accelerates delivery timelines, enabling our teams and customers to achieve success together.
Principle #7: Continuous Improvement, Not Perfection
Perfection is the enemy of progress. At OpenTurf, we ship early and iterate often. By embracing a culture of continuous improvement, we acknowledge that every product is a work in progress.
How we iterate:
• Use CI/CD pipelines to push updates frequently.
• Conduct retrospectives after every sprint to identify areas for improvement.
• Encourage experimentation and learn from failures.
Customer value: Customers benefit from rapid updates and fixes, ensuring they stay ahead in their business goals.
Here’s how we incorporate these ideas:
1. Lean Software Development: Eliminate waste, optimize workflows, and focus on value creation.
2. Domain-Driven Design (DDD): Build solutions deeply aligned with the customer’s business goals.
3. Platform Thinking: Develop reusable components for faster future rollouts.
4. Culture: Build empathy and connection among teams to foster trust and collaboration.
The Seven Shipping Principles ensure that our teams deliver impactful, customer-centric software solutions. By focusing on shipping fast, embracing feedback, and fostering collaboration, we maintain agility and stay aligned with our core values — customer success, trust, and employee empowerment.
We believe that shipping is the engine of progress. With these principles guiding us, OpenTurf is not just delivering software; we’re delivering value, one release at a time.
To know more about us visit our website openturf.in
For business queries mail us to info@openturf.in
