Fast, Cheap, Done right - Pick any 2.

[Hongyi Zhao]

Hi,

What does this sentence mean:

Fast, Cheap, Done right - Pick any 2.

Regards

[Steve Hayes]

On Thu, 28 May 2015 06:05:35 +0000 (UTC), Hongyi Zhao

Post by Hongyi Zhao
Hi,
Fast, Cheap, Done right - Pick any 2.

Something like "Nobody can be a communist, and honest, and
intelligent; any two, but not all three."

[R H Draney]

Post by Hongyi Zhao
Fast, Cheap, Done right - Pick any 2.

It means that it's impossible to have all three at the same time, but one
is at least being offered a choice as to which can be omitted....r

[Joe Fineman]

Post by R H Draney

Post by Hongyi Zhao
Fast, Cheap, Done right - Pick any 2.

It means that it's impossible to have all three at the same time, but
one is at least being offered a choice as to which can be omitted....r

Cf. the pilots' saying: "You need two out of three: altitude, airspeed,
and a brain".

[Bertel Lund Hansen]

Post by Joe Fineman
Cf. the pilots' saying: "You need two out of three: altitude, airspeed,
and a brain".

... not set on suicide.

[Mike Barnes]

Post by Hongyi Zhao
Fast, Cheap, Done right - Pick any 2.

You can't have all three.

[Eric Walker]

Post by Hongyi Zhao
Fast, Cheap, Done right - Pick any 2.

It means that the three options are mutually incompatible, and that
selecting any two of them necessarily precludes the possibility of having
the third.

To belabor the obvious:

The goal can be reached rapidly and cheaply, but that necessarily means
the result will be shoddy.

The goal can be reached rapidly and still be done well, but that
necessarily means that it will cost a lot to achieve.

The goal can be reached inexpensively and still be done well, but to
achieve that will take a lot of time.

Those propositions are actually correct for most projects.

[Charles Bishop]

Post by Eric Walker

Post by Hongyi Zhao
Fast, Cheap, Done right - Pick any 2.

It means that the three options are mutually incompatible, and that
selecting any two of them necessarily precludes the possibility of having
the third.
The goal can be reached rapidly and cheaply, but that necessarily means
the result will be shoddy.
The goal can be reached rapidly and still be done well, but that
necessarily means that it will cost a lot to achieve.
The goal can be reached inexpensively and still be done well, but to
achieve that will take a lot of time.
Those propositions are actually correct for most projects.

That would have been my explanation as well. However, the expression I'm
familiar with didn't have Done Right, but something else that I can't
quite remember. I guess I'm not as familiar with it as I thought.

A quick Google suggests Fast, Good, or Cheap or Right, Cheap or Quick.
It's the first that was on many signs and the one I thought about
putting on my business cards, but thought better of it. I still think
that "Fast, Good, or Cheap - Pick Two" is a motto for the real world,
borne out by experience.

[Bertel Lund Hansen]

Post by Charles Bishop
A quick Google suggests Fast, Good, or Cheap or Right, Cheap or Quick.
It's the first that was on many signs and the one I thought about
putting on my business cards, but thought better of it. I still think
that "Fast, Good, or Cheap - Pick Two" is a motto for the real world,
borne out by experience.

I fear that some only try to fulfill "Fast or Cheap - Pick One".

[Helen Lacedaemonian]

Post by Charles Bishop

Post by Eric Walker

Post by Hongyi Zhao
Fast, Cheap, Done right - Pick any 2.

It means that the three options are mutually incompatible, and that
selecting any two of them necessarily precludes the possibility of having
the third.
The goal can be reached rapidly and cheaply, but that necessarily means
the result will be shoddy.
The goal can be reached rapidly and still be done well, but that
necessarily means that it will cost a lot to achieve.
The goal can be reached inexpensively and still be done well, but to
achieve that will take a lot of time.
Those propositions are actually correct for most projects.

That would have been my explanation as well. However, the expression I'm
familiar with didn't have Done Right, but something else that I can't
quite remember. I guess I'm not as familiar with it as I thought.
A quick Google suggests Fast, Good, or Cheap or Right, Cheap or Quick.
It's the first that was on many signs and the one I thought about
putting on my business cards, but thought better of it. I still think
that "Fast, Good, or Cheap - Pick Two" is a motto for the real world,
borne out by experience.

I'm thinking of Daniel Goldin's tenure at NASA, and his better-faster-cheaper approach, which resulted immediately in some spectacular (but cheap-ish!) mission failures.

In fact this wording has the best rhythm, don't you think? "Better, faster, cheaper: pick two."

http://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/archive/2012/April/Pages/Faster,Better,CheaperWhyNotPickAllThree.aspx

Best,
Helen

[Peter T. Daniels]

Post by Helen Lacedaemonian
I'm thinking of Daniel Goldin's tenure at NASA, and his better-faster-cheaper approach, which resulted immediately in some spectacular (but cheap-ish!) mission failures.
In fact this wording has the best rhythm, don't you think? "Better, faster, cheaper: pick two."

Didn't the Olympics grab that one first? Citior Altior Fortior.

Oh, look, it's been picked up by Scientists!

http://www.npl.co.uk/science-lectures/citior-altior-fortior

Oh. That's about "sports science."

[Charles Bishop]

Post by Helen Lacedaemonian

Post by Charles Bishop

Post by Eric Walker

Post by Hongyi Zhao
Fast, Cheap, Done right - Pick any 2.

It means that the three options are mutually incompatible, and that
selecting any two of them necessarily precludes the possibility of having
the third.
The goal can be reached rapidly and cheaply, but that necessarily means
the result will be shoddy.
The goal can be reached rapidly and still be done well, but that
necessarily means that it will cost a lot to achieve.
The goal can be reached inexpensively and still be done well, but to
achieve that will take a lot of time.
Those propositions are actually correct for most projects.

That would have been my explanation as well. However, the expression I'm
familiar with didn't have Done Right, but something else that I can't
quite remember. I guess I'm not as familiar with it as I thought.
A quick Google suggests Fast, Good, or Cheap or Right, Cheap or Quick.
It's the first that was on many signs and the one I thought about
putting on my business cards, but thought better of it. I still think
that "Fast, Good, or Cheap - Pick Two" is a motto for the real world,
borne out by experience.

I'm thinking of Daniel Goldin's tenure at NASA, and his better-faster-cheaper
approach, which resulted immediately in some spectacular (but cheap-ish!)
mission failures.
In fact this wording has the best rhythm, don't you think? "Better, faster,
cheaper: pick two."

I think you're right for the rhythm, but then "better" than what? My
last work? If so then I'm setting myself up for failure sooner or later.

Post by Helen Lacedaemonian
http://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/archive/2012/April/Pages/Faster,Better,
CheaperWhyNotPickAllThree.aspx

Optimists, the lot of 'em.

charles, how ya bin? Don't see much o' ya lately. Come in and set a
spell.

[Helen Lacedaemonian]

Post by Charles Bishop

Post by Helen Lacedaemonian

Post by Charles Bishop

Post by Eric Walker

Post by Hongyi Zhao
Fast, Cheap, Done right - Pick any 2.

It means that the three options are mutually incompatible, and that
selecting any two of them necessarily precludes the possibility of having
the third.
The goal can be reached rapidly and cheaply, but that necessarily means
the result will be shoddy.
The goal can be reached rapidly and still be done well, but that
necessarily means that it will cost a lot to achieve.
The goal can be reached inexpensively and still be done well, but to
achieve that will take a lot of time.
Those propositions are actually correct for most projects.

That would have been my explanation as well. However, the expression I'm
familiar with didn't have Done Right, but something else that I can't
quite remember. I guess I'm not as familiar with it as I thought.
A quick Google suggests Fast, Good, or Cheap or Right, Cheap or Quick.
It's the first that was on many signs and the one I thought about
putting on my business cards, but thought better of it. I still think
that "Fast, Good, or Cheap - Pick Two" is a motto for the real world,
borne out by experience.

I'm thinking of Daniel Goldin's tenure at NASA, and his better-faster-cheaper
approach, which resulted immediately in some spectacular (but cheap-ish!)
mission failures.
In fact this wording has the best rhythm, don't you think? "Better, faster,
cheaper: pick two."

I think you're right for the rhythm, but then "better" than what? My
last work? If so then I'm setting myself up for failure sooner or later.

I know, but the eternal drive for "better" and "more" is what keeps the economy afloat, is it not? Let us not rest upon our laurels lest we stagflate.

Post by Charles Bishop

Post by Helen Lacedaemonian
http://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/archive/2012/April/Pages/Faster,Better,
CheaperWhyNotPickAllThree.aspx

Optimists, the lot of 'em.
charles, how ya bin? Don't see much o' ya lately. Come in and set a
spell.

Frankly, Charles, I bin better. But I am inarticulate about the cause for complaint, so the hell with it. Let's just make out everything is Jake.

Helen

[Lewis]

Post by Charles Bishop

Post by Eric Walker

Post by Hongyi Zhao
Fast, Cheap, Done right - Pick any 2.

It means that the three options are mutually incompatible, and that
selecting any two of them necessarily precludes the possibility of having
the third.
The goal can be reached rapidly and cheaply, but that necessarily means
the result will be shoddy.
The goal can be reached rapidly and still be done well, but that
necessarily means that it will cost a lot to achieve.
The goal can be reached inexpensively and still be done well, but to
achieve that will take a lot of time.
Those propositions are actually correct for most projects.

That would have been my explanation as well. However, the expression I'm
familiar with didn't have Done Right, but something else that I can't
quite remember. I guess I'm not as familiar with it as I thought.

The sign at the printer we used in the 80s and 90s said:

Cheap, Fast, Good.

Pick two.

Post by Charles Bishop
A quick Google suggests Fast, Good, or Cheap or Right, Cheap or Quick.
It's the first that was on many signs and the one I thought about
putting on my business cards, but thought better of it. I still think
that "Fast, Good, or Cheap - Pick Two" is a motto for the real world,
borne out by experience.

Yep.

[Sneaky O. Possum]

Post by Charles Bishop

Post by Eric Walker

Post by Hongyi Zhao
Fast, Cheap, Done right - Pick any 2.

It means that the three options are mutually incompatible, and that
selecting any two of them necessarily precludes the possibility of
having the third.
The goal can be reached rapidly and cheaply, but that necessarily
means the result will be shoddy.
The goal can be reached rapidly and still be done well, but that
necessarily means that it will cost a lot to achieve.
The goal can be reached inexpensively and still be done well, but
to achieve that will take a lot of time.
Those propositions are actually correct for most projects.

That would have been my explanation as well. However, the expression
I'm familiar with didn't have Done Right, but something else that I
can't quite remember. I guess I'm not as familiar with it as I
thought.
A quick Google suggests Fast, Good, or Cheap or Right, Cheap or Quick.
It's the first that was on many signs and the one I thought about
putting on my business cards, but thought better of it. I still think
that "Fast, Good, or Cheap - Pick Two" is a motto for the real world,
borne out by experience.

Really? You've had the experience of forgoing 'fast' in favor of 'good'
and 'cheap' and having that work out? In my experience, any service that
isn't fast isn't cheap, either.

[Dr Nick]

Post by Sneaky O. Possum

Post by Charles Bishop

Post by Eric Walker

Post by Hongyi Zhao
Fast, Cheap, Done right - Pick any 2.

It means that the three options are mutually incompatible, and that
selecting any two of them necessarily precludes the possibility of
having the third.
The goal can be reached rapidly and cheaply, but that necessarily
means the result will be shoddy.
The goal can be reached rapidly and still be done well, but that
necessarily means that it will cost a lot to achieve.
The goal can be reached inexpensively and still be done well, but
to achieve that will take a lot of time.
Those propositions are actually correct for most projects.

That would have been my explanation as well. However, the expression
I'm familiar with didn't have Done Right, but something else that I
can't quite remember. I guess I'm not as familiar with it as I
thought.
A quick Google suggests Fast, Good, or Cheap or Right, Cheap or Quick.
It's the first that was on many signs and the one I thought about
putting on my business cards, but thought better of it. I still think
that "Fast, Good, or Cheap - Pick Two" is a motto for the real world,
borne out by experience.

Really? You've had the experience of forgoing 'fast' in favor of 'good'
and 'cheap' and having that work out? In my experience, any service that
isn't fast isn't cheap, either.

Well you can certainly trade speed against cost, while holding quality
constant, when deciding how to get something delivered.

[Sneaky O. Possum]

Post by Dr Nick

Post by Sneaky O. Possum

Post by Charles Bishop

Post by Eric Walker

Post by Hongyi Zhao
Fast, Cheap, Done right - Pick any 2.

It means that the three options are mutually incompatible, and that
selecting any two of them necessarily precludes the possibility of
having the third.
The goal can be reached rapidly and cheaply, but that necessarily
means the result will be shoddy.
The goal can be reached rapidly and still be done well, but that
necessarily means that it will cost a lot to achieve.
The goal can be reached inexpensively and still be done well, but
to achieve that will take a lot of time.
Those propositions are actually correct for most projects.

That would have been my explanation as well. However, the expression
I'm familiar with didn't have Done Right, but something else that I
can't quite remember. I guess I'm not as familiar with it as I
thought.
A quick Google suggests Fast, Good, or Cheap or Right, Cheap or
Quick. It's the first that was on many signs and the one I thought
about putting on my business cards, but thought better of it. I
still think that "Fast, Good, or Cheap - Pick Two" is a motto for
the real world, borne out by experience.

Really? You've had the experience of forgoing 'fast' in favor of
'good' and 'cheap' and having that work out? In my experience, any
service that isn't fast isn't cheap, either.

Well you can certainly trade speed against cost, while holding quality
constant, when deciding how to get something delivered.

If you're getting goods delivered, you can only have them delivered
cheaply if you don't wish or need to insure them against damage, pack
them in a special mailer, track them, or have the recipient sign for
them - and even then, you have to pay more if you're sending them out of
the country and/or they weigh more than an ounce. That's cheap, and it
might be acceptable, but I wouldn't call it good.

[Charles Bishop]

Post by Sneaky O. Possum

Post by Charles Bishop

Post by Eric Walker

Post by Hongyi Zhao
Fast, Cheap, Done right - Pick any 2.

It means that the three options are mutually incompatible, and that
selecting any two of them necessarily precludes the possibility of
having the third.
The goal can be reached rapidly and cheaply, but that necessarily
means the result will be shoddy.
The goal can be reached rapidly and still be done well, but that
necessarily means that it will cost a lot to achieve.
The goal can be reached inexpensively and still be done well, but
to achieve that will take a lot of time.
Those propositions are actually correct for most projects.

That would have been my explanation as well. However, the expression
I'm familiar with didn't have Done Right, but something else that I
can't quite remember. I guess I'm not as familiar with it as I
thought.
A quick Google suggests Fast, Good, or Cheap or Right, Cheap or Quick.
It's the first that was on many signs and the one I thought about
putting on my business cards, but thought better of it. I still think
that "Fast, Good, or Cheap - Pick Two" is a motto for the real world,
borne out by experience.

Really? You've had the experience of forgoing 'fast' in favor of 'good'
and 'cheap' and having that work out? In my experience, any service that
isn't fast isn't cheap, either.

Different experiences then, innit? If someone wants something quickly,
it is usually more expensive to get it, frex, expedited shipping vs
normal shipping. In construction, a project that can be fit in when
there were days when nothing else needed to be done, could be done more
cheaply than one that had to be completed quickly.

[Sneaky O. Possum]

Post by Charles Bishop

Post by Sneaky O. Possum

Post by Charles Bishop

Post by Eric Walker

Post by Hongyi Zhao
Fast, Cheap, Done right - Pick any 2.

It means that the three options are mutually incompatible, and
that selecting any two of them necessarily precludes the
possibility of having the third.
The goal can be reached rapidly and cheaply, but that
necessarily means the result will be shoddy.
The goal can be reached rapidly and still be done well, but that
necessarily means that it will cost a lot to achieve.
The goal can be reached inexpensively and still be done well,
but to achieve that will take a lot of time.
Those propositions are actually correct for most projects.

That would have been my explanation as well. However, the
expression I'm familiar with didn't have Done Right, but something
else that I can't quite remember. I guess I'm not as familiar with
it as I thought.
A quick Google suggests Fast, Good, or Cheap or Right, Cheap or
Quick. It's the first that was on many signs and the one I thought
about putting on my business cards, but thought better of it. I
still think that "Fast, Good, or Cheap - Pick Two" is a motto for
the real world, borne out by experience.

Really? You've had the experience of forgoing 'fast' in favor of
'good' and 'cheap' and having that work out? In my experience, any
service that isn't fast isn't cheap, either.

Different experiences then, innit? If someone wants something quickly,
it is usually more expensive to get it, frex, expedited shipping vs
normal shipping.

If someone wants something shipped well, they have to pay extra. Cheap
shipping is not good shipping: proper packing, insurance, delivery
tracking - they all add up.

Post by Charles Bishop
In construction, a project that can be fit in when there were days
when nothing else needed to be done, could be done more cheaply than
one that had to be completed quickly.

The implication of 'Fast, Good, or Cheap - Pick Two' is that good work
is either expensive or time-consuming, but a project that gets set aside
until nothing else needs to be done doesn't take any longer to complete,
it just takes longer to start. And there's no reason to expect that a
project that you 'fit in' when convenient and do on the cheap will be
any good, either.

[Charles Bishop]

Post by Sneaky O. Possum

Post by Charles Bishop

Post by Sneaky O. Possum

Post by Charles Bishop

Post by Eric Walker

Post by Hongyi Zhao
Fast, Cheap, Done right - Pick any 2.

It means that the three options are mutually incompatible, and
that selecting any two of them necessarily precludes the
possibility of having the third.
The goal can be reached rapidly and cheaply, but that
necessarily means the result will be shoddy.
The goal can be reached rapidly and still be done well, but that
necessarily means that it will cost a lot to achieve.
The goal can be reached inexpensively and still be done well,
but to achieve that will take a lot of time.
Those propositions are actually correct for most projects.

That would have been my explanation as well. However, the
expression I'm familiar with didn't have Done Right, but something
else that I can't quite remember. I guess I'm not as familiar with
it as I thought.
A quick Google suggests Fast, Good, or Cheap or Right, Cheap or
Quick. It's the first that was on many signs and the one I thought
about putting on my business cards, but thought better of it. I
still think that "Fast, Good, or Cheap - Pick Two" is a motto for
the real world, borne out by experience.

Really? You've had the experience of forgoing 'fast' in favor of
'good' and 'cheap' and having that work out? In my experience, any
service that isn't fast isn't cheap, either.

Different experiences then, innit? If someone wants something quickly,
it is usually more expensive to get it, frex, expedited shipping vs
normal shipping.

If someone wants something shipped well, they have to pay extra. Cheap
shipping is not good shipping: proper packing, insurance, delivery
tracking - they all add up.

You're mistaken about some methods of shipping. Ordering on line you are
given choices, the only difference being the amount of time it takes to
get the order to you. The quicker options(s) are more expensive. The
packing options are the same.

Post by Sneaky O. Possum

Post by Charles Bishop
In construction, a project that can be fit in when there were days
when nothing else needed to be done, could be done more cheaply than
one that had to be completed quickly.

The implication of 'Fast, Good, or Cheap - Pick Two' is that good work
is either expensive or time-consuming, but a project that gets set aside
until nothing else needs to be done doesn't take any longer to complete,
it just takes longer to start. And there's no reason to expect that a
project that you 'fit in' when convenient and do on the cheap will be
any good, either.

You have no idea how I worked, and have concocted a scenario in which
your point of view is justified. But you may be confused on the "fit in"
part. If I have three jobs, A, B and C, I give project C the option of
being cheaper if I can fit it in during downtime on A and B. Thus: (with
capital letters representing days of work.

AACAACBBCBBBCB

C is started on a day when there is no work for A (waiting for parts,
others to do work, etc.), and similarly for Project B. C starts during
project A and then continues when there is free time. The time to
complete C is the same as if it were done all at once, but it starts
sooner than if I had to wait for B to finish and depends on there being
free time during A and B, as there usually is.

There is no guarantee that C will be done on specific days, since it is
done only where there is an (unexpected) delay in working on A or B.
This makes it cheaper since I can earn money on days that would normally
be "unproductive".

[Jenny Telia]

Post by Hongyi Zhao
Hi,
Fast, Cheap, Done right - Pick any 2.

These are the names of the girls the Madam offers you when you walk into
a brothel in Cairo and opt for the 'two-for-one' special offer.

[Helen Lacedaemonian]

Post by Jenny Telia

Post by Hongyi Zhao
Hi,
Fast, Cheap, Done right - Pick any 2.

These are the names of the girls the Madam offers you when you walk into
a brothel in Cairo and opt for the 'two-for-one' special offer.

Nah, that's Fast, Cheap, and Out-of-Control.

The best are all three,
Helen