Work Simplification

Comparing Level 1 and Level 2

Level 1

Level 2

Description

At Level 1, you're focused on solving problems as they come, often using the patterns and tools you've seen before. You might not yet recognize when a task is more complex than it needs to be, or how to break it down into smaller steps. That's okay. This level is about learning to see the work clearly. You're gaining experience, trying solutions, and slowly building your mental toolbox. You're learning to spot when something feels harder than it should—even if you don't yet know how to fix it.

Description

At Level 2, you're actively simplifying. You don't just accept the work as given—you poke at it, reshape it, and split it into parts that are easier to build and test. You're getting better at making progress by starting smaller. You've begun to spot unnecessary complexity in your own work and in the scope of what's being asked. You simplify with intention, not just instinct.

Key Behaviors

  • •
    Completes tasks as scoped, even if complex or confusing
  • •
    Asks clarifying questions about what needs to be done
  • •
    Follows existing patterns or examples closely
  • •
    May struggle to identify or name unnecessary complexity
  • •
    Implements solutions that work, even if they're more involved than necessary

Key Behaviors

  • •
    Breaks down tasks into logical subparts before coding
  • •
    Pushes back on unclear or overly complex requirements
  • •
    Suggests smaller first steps or MVP versions of features
  • •
    Uses sketches, diagrams, or notes to clarify work
  • •
    Refactors existing code to reduce complexity

Common Struggles

  • Accepts scope as-is without questioning or simplifying
  • Tries to solve the entire problem at once
  • Writes more code than needed
  • Has difficulty knowing where to start
  • May be unsure how to refactor or remove code safely

Common Struggles

  • May over-simplify and miss important edge cases
  • Might defer necessary complexity too far into the future
  • Can get stuck endlessly refining scope or solutions
  • Has trouble communicating simplification choices to others

Success Indicators

  • Can implement solutions with help or examples
  • Are learning to ask questions that make the work clearer
  • Start to recognize when something feels overly complicated
  • Complete tasks even when the path forward isn't totally clear

Success Indicators

  • Break work into meaningful, manageable steps
  • Make thoughtful simplifications without losing sight of the goal
  • Help reduce complexity before it turns into chaos
  • Communicate clearly about what's being simplified and why

Mindset Shift

From:

"How do I do this?"

To:

"How could this be simpler or smaller?"

Mindset Shift

From:

"What can I simplify in my work?"

To:

"How can I help simplify how the team works?"

Questions to Ask Yourself

  • Can I split this task into smaller parts?
  • What's the minimal version of this feature?
  • Is there a simpler way to solve this that still works?

Questions to Ask Yourself

  • Where are we over-engineering?
  • Could this feature or process be clearer, faster, or leaner?
  • How can I teach simplification through how I work?

Build These Habits

  • 1
    Break tasks into smaller steps before starting
  • 2
    Sketch out ideas before coding
  • 3
    Ask for help simplifying a complex solution
  • 4
    Practice naming and removing parts that aren't needed

Build These Habits

  • 1
    Share simplification thinking in PRs, tickets, and planning
  • 2
    Reduce moving parts when writing new code
  • 3
    Clarify scope before jumping into solution mode

Seek Feedback

  • "Did I overcomplicate this?"
  • "How could I make this smaller or clearer?"
  • "Would you have approached this differently?"

Seek Feedback

  • "Is this the simplest thing that works?"
  • "Did I reduce complexity or just shift it somewhere else?"
  • "Would this be easier to maintain six months from now?"

Signals You're Ready to Level Up

  • You ask questions that reduce scope or complexity
  • You propose ways to simplify without being prompted
  • You start breaking down your own tasks more naturally

Signals You're Ready to Level Up

  • Others ask for your help to simplify tricky work
  • You bring clarity to complex projects before problems grow
  • You help the team see the value of "less but better"

Focus Summary

  • Solve what you can
  • Question what you can't
  • Learn to see the shape of the work

At Level 1, your job isn't to have all the answers. It's to notice what's hard, ask why, and get curious about simpler paths.

Focus Summary

  • Simplify early
  • Simplify often
  • Your future self—and your team—will thank you

At Level 2, you make simplicity a habit—not just a happy accident. Your curiosity becomes craft. And your ability to shape smaller, saner work makes you a more trusted contributor.