Side Project Launch Protocol

A protocol for launching and managing a side project alongside a full-time career, designed to prevent the common failure modes of over-commitment and indefinite tinkering. Step 1 — Define the minimum viable version: What's the smallest version of this project that would be worth doing? Commit to building ONLY that version first. Step 2 — Time-box: Allocate fixed hours per week (5-10) and protect them as appointments with yourself. Sunday evening planning: what will you work on in those hours this week? Step 3 — Set a launch deadline: 30-90 days from start. The project must reach a 'shipped' state by this date, even if imperfect. Perfectionism is the #1 side project killer. Step 4 — Define success criteria: What would make this project worth continuing? Be specific: 10 paying customers, 100 newsletter subscribers, one published piece, completing the prototype. Step 5 — Manage energy conflicts: Do side project work during your highest-energy hours, not the leftover time after a full workday drains you. This often means mornings before work. Step 6 — At the deadline: Evaluate against success criteria. Continue, pivot, or kill. 'Keep tinkering' is not an option — decide.

When to use it

When you have a business idea, creative project, learning goal, or personal initiative that won't happen within your day job. When you want to test a career transition without quitting. When you have a skill you want to develop through practical application. When 'I should really start that thing' has been on your mental list for more than a month.

How it can help

Provides the structure that turns 'I've been thinking about starting something' into actual launched projects. The launch deadline and success criteria prevent the two most common side project fates: infinite refinement and gradual abandonment. The energy management step addresses why most side projects stall — people try to work on them after their energy is depleted. The minimum viable version prevents scope creep. This protocol has launched more real projects than any amount of motivational advice.