Slowing Down to go Fast

Quick follow-up to yesterday's post on the point of a roadmap: Now that AI lets us go blazingly fast, isn't the time spent drawing up the map time wasted? If the cost of implementation approaches zero, why bother getting it right the first time?

Ah, if only it were so simple. We slow down to go fast: Slow down to get the prerequisites in place so that we don't stumble over them later. You sharpen the axe before felling a tree. You put on your shoes before running out the door. You strap on the parachute before jumping out of the plane.

It's the subtle difference between being quick but in control and rushing but flailing:

That crossover point typically happens much sooner than you'd expect, and so it bears repeating: Time spent making sure you do the right things, the right way, is what ultimately lets you go faster and further.