The Broken Window Theory

An apartment with a single broken window deteriorates quickly because when tenants see it, they tend to think that the management doesn’t care. This results in neglecting care of the facilities and the building decays rapidly into disrepair.

A good example of this is New York City crime rates in the 1980s. The city’s inability to control even a small crime like graffiti was a signal to citizens that it would not be able to address more serious issues - so crime abounded. However, crime rates dramatically decreased when the city engaged in urban renewal efforts, which started with something as simple as cleaning the graffiti on subway cars.

It is important to fix “broken windows” in your product. Seemingly insignificant details can often have a disproportionately adverse effect on how your company is perceived - both internally and externally.

A “broken window” is a negative signal to both your users and your team. And you want them to know that you care. So don’t sacrifice excellence for agility - fix your broken windows.