Once your team’s processes are working well, development can sometimes transition into feeling endless.

And by contrast, have you noticed how work seems to somehow get done when it’s subject to an immovable deadline?

This phenomenon aligns with Parkinson’s Law, which states:

Without clearly defined time periods, work in progress can become virtually infinite, with no clear sense of when it should end.

This is why establishing cycles with fixed time periods is so important.

For example, many teams follow these cycles:

• Weekly or fortnightly: These cover completion of discrete features, fixes, or system improvements. This could even be 3 days if it suits. Short cycles enable fast feedback and course correction.
• Monthly: Combine tasks into the achievement of a larger feature, service, or initiative.
• Quarterly: Focus on strategic milestones such as improving a key business metric, completing an acquisition, or expanding to a new business line.
• Annual: Similar to quarterly with a focus on larger goals, to which the shorter cycles contribute.

(37 Signals use 6 weeks. See their book Shape Up for a detailed description of how they use cycles.)

Each cycle has a goal, and the shorter cycles contribute towards achieving the goals of the longer ones.

By assigning all work to a specific cycle and its “owners,” the purpose of each task becomes clear to everyone involved. This clarity ensures contributors understand what to prioritise and encourages them to make tradeoffs to fit the scope into the time available.

Equipped with purpose and structure, developers can make better decisions that directly benefit your business.

The alternative? Developers working on the “fun” stuff instead of initiatives that actually move the needle.

Investing in a disciplined, cyclical approach may not sound exciting, but it yields substantial benefits, including:

• Clear expectations
• Better prioritisation
• Improved work-life balance
• Improved staff retention

Ultimately, this structured framework allows your team to thrive - not just deliver work, but deliver meaningful progress.