Demo Driven Development: Show, Don't Just Tell

In the whirlwind world of software development, especially when navigating uncharted territories and rapid iterations, how do we ensure we're building the right thing? For too long, the default has been to meticulously craft Product Requirements Documents (PRDs) or Requests for Comments (RFCs) before even a single line of code is written. But what if there's a more dynamic and insightful approach? Enter Demo Driven Development.

The core idea is simple yet powerful: in environments marked by speed and significant uncertainty, prioritizing the creation of tangible demos over exhaustive documentation can be a game-changer. Instead of pages of text describing a vision, a working (albeit potentially rough) demo allows for immediate interaction and feedback from users and stakeholders.

Think about it – which is more impactful: reading a lengthy document explaining a new feature, or actually clicking through a basic interface and experiencing it firsthand?

What Exactly is a Demo?

Let's break down the essence of a demo in this context:

1. It has an interface you can touch: Unlike a static document, a demo provides a tangible surface for stakeholders to interact with. This could be a web page, a basic mobile app screen, or even a command-line interface.
2. A Living Vision: While well-crafted PRDs and RFCs are crucial for outlining the thought process and long-term vision, a demo breathes life into that vision. It's the scrappy prototype that makes abstract ideas concrete.
3. Experience Over Explanation: The focus is on showing and allowing users to experience the core functionality, rather than simply telling them about it. Hand someone a demo and let them explore; the insights gained will often surpass those gleaned from reading a document.
4. Not the Final Product (Yet!): It's vital to remember that a demo is not the polished, production-ready application. Its primary purpose is to demonstrate key concepts and gather feedback. Accessibility is key to ensure everyone can engage, but initial usability can take a backseat to getting the core idea across. Once feedback starts flowing, then the focus can shift towards refining the user experience.
5. Small Team, Big Impact: Ideally, a single person or a very small team should own the creation of a demo. It shouldn't require a massive effort, as it's a means to an end – understanding and validation – not the end itself.

How Teams Can Embrace Demo Driven Development

Shifting towards a demo-centric approach requires a conscious effort and the right mindset:

1. Empower Demo Creation: Make it easy for developers to build demos. This means providing the right tools, libraries, and encouraging them to prioritize a working prototype over extensive upfront documentation.
2. Simplify Demo Access: Lower the barrier to entry for stakeholders to interact with demos. This could involve easy-to-set-up web endpoints, readily deployable mobile app demos (think Expo for React Native), or simple installation scripts.
3. Integrate Demos into the Workflow: Make demos a natural part of the development process. This could involve regular demo sessions, incorporating demos into feedback loops, and using demos as a basis for discussion and decision-making.
4. Focus Feedback, Not Flaws: Encourage stakeholders to focus their feedback on the core concepts being demonstrated, rather than nitpicking minor UI inconsistencies or non-essential details. The onus is on those providing feedback to see past the rough edges.
5. Invest in Prototyping Tools: Consider investing in tooling that allows for rapid prototyping that closely resembles the actual product surfaces. This can help bridge the gap between the initial demo and the final product.

When Docs Still Reign Supreme

While Demo Driven Development offers significant advantages, documentation still holds a crucial place:

• From Demo to Direction: Once a demo gains traction and provides valuable feedback, the individual responsible should then synthesize those learnings and create more formal documentation to articulate the refined requirements and secure buy-in for full product development.
• Laying the Foundation for Production: Documentation becomes essential when specifying the intricacies of a production setup, including reliability, performance requirements, and architectural decisions. While a demo showcases the "what," documentation often defines the "how" for a scalable and robust solution.

In conclusion, in the fast-paced and often ambiguous world of modern software development, Demo Driven Development offers a powerful alternative to solely relying on upfront documentation. By prioritizing tangible experiences and rapid feedback loops, teams can navigate uncertainty more effectively, gather diverse perspectives, and ultimately build products that truly resonate with their users. So, let's move beyond just talking about it, and start showing what's possible.