Ratchet Effect

There was a book by this title; I read a few pages in the checkout line long ago. I think the most memorable thing was the title, which has stayed with me.

RatchetEffect refers to the method used by a socket wrench for HoldingTheGains. When you've advanced a certain distance, take a second to move up the pegs you're standing on, and establish a new plateau.

This is where I see a lot of the value of Patterns; they are a means of codifying knowledge, turning something hard-won into another step in the ladder, available to everyone.

I use the term RatchetEffect to describe the benefits of AutomatedTesting.

This is one of the MetaTool?s that has many uses, if you can imagine how to apply it. FeedbackIsControl is a similar tool.

See BrownianMotor