Shape Up

Shape Up shaping

Shaping is the work of making a bet worth taking. It gives a team direction and boundaries without handing them a task-by-task script.

Frame the problem

Describe the user or business problem and the desired outcome. A good frame prevents a solution from being mistaken for the problem itself.

Sketch a rough solution

Use breadboarding or fat-marker sketches to make the interaction concrete enough to expose gaps. Leave implementation decisions to the builders.

Name risks and boundaries

Identify rabbit holes, fixed constraints, and the appetite. A shaped pitch gives the team enough information to make trade-offs during the cycle.