Having a system to run your business or build products is priceless.
Shape up describes how the people at Basecamp/37signals do it, and I must say, it speaks to me.
I've tried structuring my projects with the 12 week year, but that timespan is too long to keep my focus. Also 2 week sprints are too short to do anything meaningful.
Shape up fits right in the middle: 6 weeks
Feels about right!
One big thing is to also not plan a roadmap, just decide what is most meaningful for the next 6 weeks. And that doesn't have to mean that feature you planned at the start of the year.
I currently don't have a team, but when I do again, I'm going to implement this system.