Home › Product › Tools
Decomposition
Product / Tools
Break a big problem into smaller, independent ones.
The Technique
- Identify the whole.
- Split it into parts that can be solved separately.
- Solve each part.
- Recombine.
Why It Matters
- Large problems are paralysing; small ones are actionable.
- Decomposed work parallelises across people.
- Independent parts are easier to test, ship, and revert.
How to Apply
- Look for natural seams: responsibilities, time boundaries, data boundaries.
- Each piece should be understandable on its own.
- Ensure the pieces recombine. Bad splits leave gaps or overlaps.
The Trap
- Decomposing too early, before the whole is understood.
- Splitting by team convenience rather than by the shape of the problem.
- Creating pieces with hidden coupling — you'll pay later.
Related