When the next step is obvious and the obvious solution works then development proceeds at a predictable tempo. When the tempo pauses, it is enough to ask, what happened to the obvious solutions?
See Interruptions.
A couple articles draw attention to making extremely small changes. Increase the frequency, make steps smaller and lower-risk. Take that to an extreme and enjoy the surprise that it actually works. Kent Beck and Ward Cunningham are not done changing the software world.