Learning patterns/Go the extra mile, and then search for treasure

A learning pattern forproject management

Learning Pattern Library

Go the extra mile, and then search for treasure

problemTechnical innovation, in a popular area

solutionKnow that those patient with technical study are at a premium, among volunteers

creator• Charles Matthews

created on14:49, 1 February 2018 (UTC)

status:DRAFT

What problem does this solve?

Go the extra mile, and then search for buried treasure. In other words, a project may benefit greatly from being the first to explore techniques to greater depth. In a volunteer environment, it is unlikely that there is nothing new under the sun.

What is the solution?

Where there is a potential benefit, study up on technical details for a while, for their own say. Become familiar with the work of others, exploiting an open environment. While, in the context of volunteering, what is accessible to those who want quick results may have been done, it is less likely that everything good has.

Things to consider

• In contrast, industrial research and development would usually try to make sure the treasure search was thorough.
• This pattern is a commentary on the more general principle that "if something hasn't been done, it may just be because no one has done it".
• Wikimedians operate as volunteers outside conventional incentives. They often regard the topic along the lines of "if you have to be told, you're never going to get it".
• But they don't all share the same incentives.
• "Low-hanging fruit" can be a lazy, one-dimensional metaphor.

When to use

When you identify a bottleneck that concerns you more than others.

See also