Glossary term
Shape Up
A product development method built around shaped pitches, fixed time budgets and deliberate bets rather than an endless backlog.
Also known as: Shape Up method, Basecamp Shape Up, shaping
Shape Up is a product development method developed by Basecamp.
Work is shaped before a team commits to building it. A pitch explains the problem, outlines the boundaries of a possible solution, identifies risks and sets an appetite for how much time the company is willing to spend.
Leaders then choose which pitches to bet on. Teams receive a fixed cycle and enough freedom to determine the details during delivery.
The fixed time budget forces teams to control scope instead of extending deadlines whenever the work expands.
