Re: OT: The mythical man month - have we learned nothing?

[Anonymous Monk]

What's the best way to deal with the idea that schedules can always be compressed simply by adding programmers?

Sound bites.

Managers often tend to think quickly and decisively; they leave deep careful, analysis for "underlings". Don't try to make them think; present something that looks obviously true on the surface.

"Even with nine women working on the project, you can't get a baby in a month".

"Adding fifty more guys with shovels doesn't make it any faster to dig a two foot by two foot hole. At some point you just need a backhoe instead."

Give them all those old, tired metaphors that you hate and they probably love: bonus points if you include sports metaphors. Remember, these guys grew up with people chanting stuff like "Give 110%", "There is no 'I' in 'team'", and other such drivel at them; they feel at home with that sort of thing. Give them what they want.