Launch Details and Decisions

Basecamp 5 is out in the world! In this episode, Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson sit down with host Kimberly Rhodes to talk about some of the details of the launch and the big decisions that went into it. They discuss what went smoothly, what only a live rollout could reveal, and the response from current customers.

Key Takeaways

• 00:34 – How this launch compared to previous Basecamp versions
• 03:50 – Setting (and moving) the launch date
• 06:45 – How the mobile apps equaled a point of no return
• 13:07 – Going live is when things get real
• 16:31 – The decision to move all customers to Basecamp 5 at once
• 19:52 – Handling the customers who push back hardest
• 21:11 – How a great support team makes or breaks a major product transition

Links and Resources

• See where Basecamp is being used right now – basecamp.com/live
• If Your Product Is Great, It Doesn't Need to Be Good by Paul Buchheit
• Record a video question for the podcast
• Watch The REWORK podcast on YouTube
• Basecamp is the no-nonsense project management system. Sign up for free at Basecamp.com
• HEY is a fresh take on email. Sign up for a 30-day free trial at HEY.com
• Fizzy is a modern spin on kanban. Sign up for free at fizzy.do
• Books by 37signals
• Jason Fried on X
• David Heinemeier Hansson on X