Planning doesn't mean a huge document. It means enough clarity on goals, scope, and the main flows that the team isn't guessing. That shared understanding is what keeps a build from drifting and prevents expensive mid-project surprises.
There's a balance: too little planning causes rework, too much delays learning from real users. The pragmatic sweet spot is enough to align on direction and the risky parts, then build, then adjust based on what you learn. Skipping it entirely is the costly extreme.
Updated July 2026
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