Fix it twice
Encyclopedia
Fix it twice or fix it two ways is a management term coined by Joel Spolsky
, who coined the term for a process improvement
method. It implies a quick, immediate solution for fixing an incident and a second, slower fix for preventing the same problem from occurring again by targeting the root cause
.
The method suggests that every problem might be an indication of a deeper design fault, and is also an opportunity to improve beyond fixing the specific instance.
In human engineering, particularly in GUI design
in the software industry
, the second fix may be a usability
improvement to reduce customer service inquiries on how to achieve a specific goal with a tool. With accident
investigation, the second fix refers to safety improvements or extending the safety procedures, as in airline safety, while the first fix is the proceeding at the time of the accident. In management
, the second fix can refer to methods of preserving knowledge in an effort to push for making only new mistakes. Fix it twice is therefore an attribute of CMMI level 5
management.
Joel Spolsky
Avram Joel Spolsky is a software engineer and writer. He is the author of Joel on Software, a blog on software development. He was a Program Manager on the Microsoft Excel team between 1991 and 1994. He later founded Fog Creek Software in 2000 and launched the Joel on Software blog...
, who coined the term for a process improvement
Process improvement
In organizational development , process improvement is a series of actions taken by a process owner to identify, analyze and improve existing business processes within an organization to meet new goals and objectives. These actions often follow a specific methodology or strategy to create...
method. It implies a quick, immediate solution for fixing an incident and a second, slower fix for preventing the same problem from occurring again by targeting the root cause
Root cause analysis
Root cause analysis is a class of problem solving methods aimed at identifying the root causes of problems or events.Root Cause Analysis is any structured approach to identifying the factors that resulted in the nature, the magnitude, the location, and the timing of the harmful outcomes of one...
.
The method suggests that every problem might be an indication of a deeper design fault, and is also an opportunity to improve beyond fixing the specific instance.
In human engineering, particularly in GUI design
Gui
Gui or guee is a generic term to refer to grilled dishes in Korean cuisine. These most commonly have meat or fish as their primary ingredient, but may in some cases also comprise grilled vegetables or other vegetarian ingredients. The term derives from the verb, "gupda" in Korean, which literally...
in the software industry
Software industry
The software industry includes businesses involved in the development, maintenance and publication of computer software using any business model...
, the second fix may be a usability
Usability
Usability is the ease of use and learnability of a human-made object. The object of use can be a software application, website, book, tool, machine, process, or anything a human interacts with. A usability study may be conducted as a primary job function by a usability analyst or as a secondary job...
improvement to reduce customer service inquiries on how to achieve a specific goal with a tool. With accident
Accident
An accident or mishap is an unforeseen and unplanned event or circumstance, often with lack of intention or necessity. It implies a generally negative outcome which may have been avoided or prevented had circumstances leading up to the accident been recognized, and acted upon, prior to its...
investigation, the second fix refers to safety improvements or extending the safety procedures, as in airline safety, while the first fix is the proceeding at the time of the accident. In management
Management
Management in all business and organizational activities is the act of getting people together to accomplish desired goals and objectives using available resources efficiently and effectively...
, the second fix can refer to methods of preserving knowledge in an effort to push for making only new mistakes. Fix it twice is therefore an attribute of CMMI level 5
Capability Maturity Model Integration
Capability Maturity Model Integration is a process improvement approach whose goal is to help organizations improve their performance. CMMI can be used to guide process improvement across a project, a division, or an entire organization...
management.
See also
- Continuous Improvement ProcessContinuous Improvement ProcessA continuous improvement process is an ongoing effort to improve products, services, or processes. These efforts can seek "incremental" improvement over time or "breakthrough" improvement all at once...
- Lean software developmentLean software developmentLean software development is a translation of Lean manufacturing and Lean IT principles and practices to the software development domain. Adapted from the Toyota Production System, a pro-lean subculture is emerging from within the Agile community....
- National Transportation Safety BoardNational Transportation Safety BoardThe National Transportation Safety Board is an independent U.S. government investigative agency responsible for civil transportation accident investigation. In this role, the NTSB investigates and reports on aviation accidents and incidents, certain types of highway crashes, ship and marine...
- The 5 Whys