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# Why ‘Good Enough’ Automation Beats Perfect Every Time
- URL: https://blog.kyleelliott.net/why-good-enough-automation-beats-perfect-every-time/
- Published: 2025-07-09T12:25:21.000Z
- Updated: 2025-07-09T12:25:21.000Z
- Description: Perfectionism is the enemy of progress, especially with automation. I’ll share how embracing imperfection not only saved me time but also kept my ADHD brain sane—and why chasing flawless workflows can backfire.
- Author: Kyle Elliott
- Tags: automation, producivity

In the quest for automation, perfection can be the enemy of progress. The truth? A **‘good enough’ automation solution often delivers more business value than a perfect one stuck in development hell**.

Here’s why settling for good enough can beat perfect every time:

1. **Speed to value**: Shipping a solution that covers 80% of functionality means you start reaping benefits sooner. Waiting for every edge case to be automated perfectly delays impact, and no one’s getting paid to wait.
2. **Iterative improvement**: ‘Good enough’ automation can be refined continuously. Launch early, learn from real-world usage, and improve. Perfection up front ignores feedback loops and evolving needs.
3. **Cost-effectiveness**: Perfect solutions require huge upfront investments on time, money, and brainpower. Good enough balances investment with return, maximizing ROI without wasting resources chasing flawless.
4. **Focus on impactful automation**: Automate where it counts, not where it’s just nice to have. Attempting to automate every last detail can introduce complexity, bugs, and maintenance headaches.
5. **Better decision-making velocity**: Real-time automation, even if imperfect, accelerates decisions and processes. In fast-paced environments, *faster* beats *flawless*.

The takeaway? **Aim for automation that’s reliable and delivers real business impact; not the unicorn of perfect, bug-free automation.** Get it out there, then iterate.

Automation isn’t about perfection. It’s about momentum.