Shape Up

The Shape Up six-week cycle

A six-week cycle is long enough for meaningful work and short enough to create urgency. The time box is fixed; teams make scope trade-offs to fit it.

Why six weeks

The cycle gives a team room to solve non-trivial problems without turning every project into an open-ended commitment. It also creates a predictable rhythm for bets.

Build with autonomy

Teams determine how to realize the shaped pitch and manage their scopes. Regular hill chart updates make uncertainty visible without requiring constant status meetings.

Finish the cycle cleanly

At the boundary, assess what shipped, what was cut, and what was learned. Do not quietly extend the work by default; make a new decision if needed.