timeboxing

Many successful software development projects use timeboxing, especially smaller ones.

Individuals can use timeboxing for personal tasks, as well.

Timeboxing has been adopted by some notable software development methodologies:

Several project management approaches use timeboxing.

Personal timeboxing is said to help curb perfectionist tendencies (by setting a firm time and not overcommitting to a task).

Timeboxing something (putting a carefully selected mini-team to work on it for a week, and getting it finished) is really rewarding.

Andy Hunt gives timeboxing as his 'T' in SMART.

However, Steve McConnell argues that not every product is suitable and that timeboxing should only be used after the customer agrees to cut features, not quality.