When is software done?

This is something I’ve been thinking about recently. First, let me clarify that when I say software being done, I mean a particular feature. I don’t mean an entire package of software. A standalone application or SaaS software package is never actually done; there’s always new desires and demands from human beings, and all pieces of software must expand until they either send email or build their own messaging inbox because they can’t be bothered to interface with email. The most successful communications protocol in history; but I’m not bitter. I’d argue that a holistic view of software success actually looks at the user and asks when a certain percentage of them — say, 7% or 15% — are using it. What that exact percentage should be is a matter of art and depends on the feature being built. Not everyone is going to use every feature of every piece of software. You won’t always use every feature of software you write for yourself. But people are using this feature, and critically, they…

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