The Changelog: Software Development, Open Source The 10x developer myth (Interview)
Mar 31, 2020
In this discussion, William Nichols, a senior staff member at Carnegie Mellon’s Software Engineering Institute, delves into the myth of the '10x developer.' He illuminates research showing minimal productivity differences among programmers and the importance of skills application over innate talent. Nichols also highlights the significance of teamwork in enhancing performance and the need for diverse skill sets in development teams. The conversation further explores mental blocks in coding and the value of traditional practices alongside Agile methods.
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Individual vs. Team Variation
- Individual programmer variation is as significant as variation between programmers.
- Focus on hiring capable programmers and fostering a good environment instead of chasing unicorns.
Focus on the Team
- Hire good quality people and don't obsess over finding the unicorn developer.
- Create an environment where a team with diverse skills can succeed.
Herbie Brooks' Team Strategy
- Herbie Brooks, 1980 Olympic hockey coach, prioritized team synergy over individual talent.
- He chose players with specific skills to create an effective team, leading to victory against a superior team.
