Code Freezes can have the opposite effect (jensrantil.github.io)

The article argues that code freezes are often introduced as a knee-jerk response to instability, but they can simply postpone risky changes unless detailed rules, measurable success criteria, and clear exit criteria are defined. It warns that environments continue to change during freezes and that freezes may signal a lack of investment in better change processes. A past example describes a company-wide freeze with an ad-hoc approval “war room” and a large queued backlog, after which velocity slowed and long-term stability benefits were unclear due to inadequate measurement.