[13rac1]

I've found it important to include the context of that quote:

> We should forget about small efficiencies, say about 97% of the time: premature optimization is the root of all evil. Yet we should not pass up our opportunities in that critical 3%.

That 3% can be significant.

[hinkley]

Yes, I’ve had to find a new job many times because we waited too long to fix real problems that hampered our ability to make progress.

[lubonay]

Sounds interesting, could you elaborate? Why did you have to find a new job? What were the problems that ruined your project?

[hinkley]

If my competitor can add features faster than us then they will pull ahead and there’s very little we can do about it.

I’ve been on both sides of that. Sometimes on the same project (quick hacks up front leading to calcification and death).

If each feature takes longer than the last one it becomes hell, and you don’t really want to stick around for that.