Andy Merskin

Denver, CO

Balancing speed and quality

October 10, 2025

Speed without quality is reckless. Quality without speed is irrelevant. The challenge is finding the right balance for each context.

I assess the situation: Is this a core feature or an experiment? How much impact does it have? What’s the cost of delay?

For high-stakes features, I invest in quality processes. For low-risk experiments, I prioritize speed and learning.

The right balance changes over time. Early stage products need speed to find product-market fit. Mature products need quality to maintain trust.

There’s no universal formula—only thoughtful trade-offs based on context, impact, and risk. Balance isn’t static—it’s a constant calibration.