Embracing the 3-Month Rule: A Practical Approach to Non-Scalable Solutions in Tech Development
In the tech world, it’s a common saying that you should “do things that don’t scale,” popularized by venture capitalist Paul Graham. However, there’s often a gap between this advice and how to effectively apply it in programming.
After dedicating the last eight months to developing an AI podcast platform, I have established a straightforward framework: any unscalable work receives a trial period of three months. At the end of this period, if it demonstrates its worth, we’ll invest in building a robust version; if not, it will be phased out.
Rethinking Scalability in Startup Development
As engineers, we typically strive for scalable solutions right from the get-go, leveraging intricate design patterns and architectures that can support millions of users. This level of planning, while sophisticated, often caters more to large corporations than to startups.
In a startup environment, spending time optimizing for scalability can be a form of procrastination, as it often addresses theoretical users and hypothetical issues before any real demand exists. By adhering to my three-month rule, I prioritize rapid, straightforward coding that allows me to deliver features and learn directly from user interaction.
Current Tactical Approaches That Work
1. Single Virtual Machine for All Services
I run my database, web server, background processes, and Redis all from a single $40-per-month virtual machine. This setup offers zero redundancy and relies on manual backups to my local device.
This approach is surprisingly effective: I’ve gained clarity on my actual resource requirements in just two months, insights that no capacity-planning document could provide. It turns out my AI platform only peaks at 4GB of RAM, meaning the Kubernetes architecture I nearly implemented would have simply managed empty containers. Furthermore, when crashes occur (yes, they have happened), I receive invaluable information about the failure points, which are seldom what I had anticipated.
2. Hardcoded Configurations Across the Board
In my code, you’ll find constants like:
plaintext
PRICE_TIER_1 = 9.99
PRICE_TIER_2 = 19.99
MAX_USERS = 100
AI_MODEL = "gpt-4"
With no configuration files or environment variables, changing a parameter necessitates a redeployment. The advantage? I can search my entire codebase in seconds to locate any configuration value. Each price alteration gets
One Comment
This is a fantastic practical approach to balancing speed and scalability, especially in the startup phase. The 3-month trial period is a smart way to validate assumptions without over-investing prematurely. I appreciate how you’ve emphasized learning from actual usage and resource constraints—often, real-world data provides more clarity than theoretical planning.
Your example of starting with minimal infrastructure and scaling only when justified aligns well with the “fail fast” mentality. It reminds me of the concept of “building the minimum viable product” but applied to technical architecture as well. Hardcoding configurations can be a double-edged sword, but if it helps you iterate quickly and understand your needs better, it makes perfect sense. Just be mindful that over time, some of these practices might need refining as your user base and complexity grow.
Thanks for sharing your framework — it’s a refreshing perspective that prioritizes agility and real-world insights over heavy upfront design. It’s a valuable strategy especially for early-stage projects aiming to learn fast and adapt quickly.