A simple checklist that saved a developer from wasting hours on impossible scope
The Message That Made My Day
"Yes, I applied the ticket checklist and I immediately communicated to my PO that something was not possible and that we should resize the ticket 🎉"
This message hit my inbox yesterday.
A developer read my book, grabbed the Ticket Checklist, and applied it to their next feature. Within minutes, they spotted something: a requirement in the ticket couldn't be done the way it was scoped.
Instead of diving into code and discovering this halfway through (or worse, during code review), they caught it upfront. They messaged their Product Owner, explained the blocker, and got the ticket resized—before writing a single line of code.
This is what good systems do.
They don't slow you down. They save you from wasted work.
Why Most Developers Skip Planning
Here's what usually happens:
You get assigned a ticket. You read the description. Maybe glance at the designs. Then you open your editor and start coding.
Three hours later, you hit a wall:
- The API endpoint you need? Not ready yet.
- That edge case you didn't consider? Breaking everything in QA.
- The scope that seemed clear? Actually vague and missing critical details.
So you backtrack. Rewrite code. Ping people in Slack. Wait for answers.
You've just wasted hours you'll never get back.
Most developers do this because planning feels like extra work. You want to build, not sit around asking questions. You feel pressure to show progress.
But let me tell you: 5 minutes of planning saves hours of rework.
The Ticket Checklist (What Actually Matters)
Before I write any code, I ask four questions:
1. What's the actual scope?
- What are we building, specifically?
- What's explicitly out of scope?
- Are there dependencies on other teams or features?
If I can't explain the ticket in one clear sentence, it's not ready yet.
2. Are designs ready?
- Are designs finalized, or will they change?
- What happens on mobile? Tablet? Small screens?
- Are there edge cases the designs don't show?
Designs that "look done" often have gaps. I check first.
3. Are there dependencies or API blockers?
- Is the backend ready, or do I need to mock data?
- Are endpoints documented?
- What's the expected response structure?
Nothing kills momentum like discovering the API isn't ready halfway through development.
4. What edge cases might break this?
- What happens if data is missing?
- What if the user does something unexpected?
- Are there permission or role considerations?
Edge cases are where bugs hide. Thinking about them early means fewer surprises later.
How to Start Using This
You don't need a fancy system. Just try this:
Pick your top 2 pain points: If you often hit API blockers, focus on dependencies. If designs change mid-development, focus on design readiness.
Apply it to your next ticket: Before opening your editor, spend 5 minutes answering those questions.
Adjust based on your context: Agency work? Focus on scope and deadlines. Product team? Focus on long-term maintainability.
The Deeper Lesson
This isn't really about checklists.
It's about thinking like a senior developer.
Juniors see a ticket and think: "How do I code this?"
Seniors see a ticket and think: "What could go wrong, and how do I prevent it?"
They don't code faster. They waste less time.
They anticipate problems, ask clarifying questions upfront, and communicate proactively. They own outcomes, not just tasks. The checklist trains that muscle!
You're Not Being Slow—You're Being Smart
A 5-minute checklist prevents:
- Hours of rework
- Scope surprises mid-development
- Tense conversations with your PO
- Code that doesn't meet expectations
And it builds trust. Your team sees you're thinking ahead, asking good questions, and taking ownership. That's what separates good developers from great ones.
What's one question you wish you'd asked before starting your last feature? Drop it in the comments—I'd love to hear what trips people up most.
If you want the full Ticket Checklist (plus 9 other practical frameworks), I explore them in From Hello World to Team Lead. The systems are built for real work, not tutorials.
Top comments (0)