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I’m an impatient person, of the kind that are comfortable with making quick decisions on loose grounds, but prepared to change when more information gets available. This attitude has served me well, but also put me in trouble when important decisions were made too hastily. That’s why I always use The Rule of Three nowadays.

I first came across this version of The Rule of Three in Johanna Rothman and Esther Derby’s excellent book, Behind Closed Doors. The idea is to brainstorm solutions to a given problem, and not stop until you have at least three options to choose from. Listing the pros and cons of each solution helps you make a good decision.

With The Rule of Three I’m forced to think broader. I need to widen my view to find possible solutions other than the first that springs to mind. I’ve found that this process makes me explore the original solution better, and the risk of overlooking a good option is greatly reduced. Also, two different solutions can sometimes be combined into a new, even better one.

The Rule of Three can be applied in many ways, within a group or by yourself. It’s a cheap way to build better foundations for your decisions. That’s why I embrace The Rule of Three.

Previous posts in the Tools of The Effective Developer series:

1. Tools of The Effective Developer: Personal Logs
2. Tools of The Effective Developer: Personal Planning
3. Tools of The Effective Developer: Programming By Intention
4. Tools of The Effective Developer: Customer View
5. Tools of The Effective Developer: Fail Fast!
6. Tools of The Effective Developer: Make It Work – First!
7. Tools of The Effective Developer: Whetstones