My good friend, Scott Bain, has been instrumental in developing the entire theory. He’s been a steady support, a firm sounding board, a powerful ally, and a valuable consultant. His book Emergent Design has had a significant impact on my perspective and, consequently, my work.

Net Objectives, Inc. (which, naturally, includes its employees), has generally backed me up by putting me in touch with Addison-Wesley, allowing me to be a part of the Net Objectives Product Development Series, and providing me with a venue in which I could present these ideas from their zygotic form onward.

Of course, I owe my lovely wife, Amy, a debt of gratitude. Her keen eye has spared yours many a defect. Without the gentle crack of her whip and her support, this short cut would just be another vaporous idea floating in a nebula of undone things.

I would like to thank you for reading this short cut.

Finally, I would also like to thank Beau Bender, Bill Zietzke, and Christian Wilhite for their participation in the development and implementation of these ideas within various organizations as well as the editorial and production staff at Addison-Wesley for the great job they’ve done.

Thank you all.