Software Design: Tidy First?

Thinkies

Thinkie: Reinforcing Loop

Aka positive feedback loop

Kent Beck's avatar
Kent Beck
Mar 30, 2026
∙ Paid

Pattern: The worse things get, the worse things get. Every time you try to intervene, it gets even worse.

Transformation: Map the effects & how they affect each other. Find the cycle with an even number of inhibitions. Go upstream & push one of the effects the opposite direction.

Okay, that’s an abstract brainful. But this is the most powerful tool I have for making big changes with small efforts, so it’s worth it. I promise. We’ll start with an example.

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