Keep user stories small and achievable within 2-3 days. Ensure acceptance tests are in place before coding begins and that all tests are automated. Apply a clear definition of what qualifies as "done" for each story and limit work in progress by finishing one story before starting the next to deliver high-value features early.

1. Notes to Myself
DEVELOPMENT PRACTICES

2. Notes to Myself: Development Practices
 Keep user stories small – 2-3 days effort
max.

3. Notes to Myself: Development Practices
 Get acceptance tests as part of the user
stories. Don’t start coding a story without
understanding how you’re going to test it.
 Automate the tests.

4. Notes to Myself: Development Practices
 Have a definition of “done.” Don’t say
something is “basically done,” “pretty much
done,” “90 percent done,” etc. It’s done or
it’s not done. If it’s not done, be able to state
what has to happen for it be done.

5. Notes to Myself: Development Practices
 Limit work in progress. Finish one story or
feature before going on to the next one.

6. Notes to Myself: Development Practices
 Deliver high-value features early. Minimize
effort on things that don’t provide value.