By the Numbers

How much data do you really need to make good decisions? In this episode of The REWORK Podcast, Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson talk about 37signals’ evolving relationship with analytics—from working with a full-time analyst to now focusing only on the numbers that truly matter. They share why gut feeling, curiosity, and margin often outweigh dashboards and reports—and how trimming the data obsession can lead to better, bolder decisions.

Key Takeaways:

• 00:09 – The shift from having a full-time data analyst to working without one
• 02:25 – Just because you can’t measure it doesn’t mean it’s not important
• 07:59 – Analytics don’t always drive product decisions
• 10:15 – How financial margin fuels freedom to experiment
• 13:42 – Don’t let data make you overly cautious
• 15:26 – David’s take on cutting unnecessary costs
• 19:48 – Weighing cost vs. value when making decisions

Links and Resources:

• Record or upload a video question for Jason and David
• Get Basecamp for free at Basecamp.com
• Books by 37signals
• HEY World | HEY
• REWORK podcast merch
• The REWORK podcast
• The Rework Podcast on YouTube
• The 37signals Dev Blog
• 37signals on YouTube
• @37signals on X