Requirements
The bad news: it’s just has hard to define small project requirements as it is large project requirements.
The good news: since there are fewer requirements, there are fewer interactions between poorly defined requirements.
Cynic: It’s as easy to poorly define a small project as it is a large project. And it takes less time!
Tools
Tools are not a substitute for good judgment.
Cynic: Good judgment comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgment.
Tools used on small projects must be flexible enough to be used for several different projects, or tools won’t be used at all.
Cynic 1: A fool with a tool is still a fool.
Cynic 2: A fool with a tool can foul up projects faster than a fool without a tool.
Communications
The problem owner and the solution provider must share a common vocabulary.
Cynic: I know you think you understand what you think I said, but I’m not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant.
Got a favorite cynical observation? Let me know.