The Mythical Man-Month
"The Mythical Man-Month" by Frederick Brooks explores the complexities of software project management, emphasizing that adding more manpower to a late project only delays it further. Brooks introduces key concepts such as the "mythical man-month," which challenges the assumption that work can be easily divided among more people. The book highlights the importance of communication and the inherent difficulties in coordinating large teams, ultimately advocating for better planning and realistic timelines in software development.
10 curated highlights from this book
Key Insights & Memorable Quotes
Below are the most impactful passages and quotes from The Mythical Man-Month, carefully selected to capture the essence of the book.
The bearing of a child takes nine months, no matter how many women are assigned.
Adding manpower to a late software project makes it later.
The most important thing is to get the requirements right.
Communication is the key to any successful project.
A schedule is a plan for how to spend time.
The second-system effect is the tendency to add too much to a second system.
Documentation is a critical part of software development.
There is no silver bullet.
You can’t control what you can’t measure.
Build one to throw away; you will, anyhow.