Powerful ideas from top nonfiction
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Start your free trial
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
Listen to the Intro
The Mythical Man-Month summary
Frederick P. Brooks
Essays on Software Engineering
16 mins
Brief summary
The Mythical Man-Month by Frederick P. Brooks is a classic software engineering book that examines the challenges of managing large-scale projects and offers valuable insights for improving software development practices.
Table of Contents
The Mythical Man-Month
Summary of 5 key ideas
Audio & text in the Blinkist app
Key idea 1 of 5
More programmers, more problems
If you’re a programmer, you probably know the problem – you’re stuck wrestling with a software project that's lagging far behind schedule. In this situation, it seems natural to think that throwing more programmers at the issue would do the trick, right? Wrong. It turns out that this is likely to backfire – and might even cause further delays.
This is the wisdom behind Brooks's Law, which proposes just that – scaling up the team size might actually extend the development time, particularly when a project is already off the rails. But what is it about the nature of software development that causes such a conundrum?
The thing is, software projects are two-layered entities. The top layer is what’s known as the essential complexity, or the soul of the problem that needs solving. The bottom layer, on the other hand, is the accidental complexity – the technical underbelly of infrastructure, tools, and interfaces. Initially, your fight is with the accidental complexity. Here, more warriors, or programmers, can be a boon. They can take down the beast faster.
But the battle shifts once you start dealing with the essential complexity. You’re in the realm of ideas, creating elegant algorithms and shaping intricate data structures. It's a process of deep thinking, creativity, and more than a little individual genius.
Now, imagine more people are added to this creative endeavor. The process gets disrupted as you’re forced to divvy up the tasks. The holistic vision gets fragmented like a puzzle, with each new member holding a piece but nobody seeing the full picture anymore. Every new addition also needs mentoring and training, which soaks up the energy that could've been used elsewhere.
So, what's the solution? Brooks has a few suggestions. First, instead of an automatic response of hiring, evaluate the feasibility of the project timeline or scope. Take a comprehensive inventory of the current project status – where exactly does the project stand in relation to the predetermined milestones? Are there specific modules or functionalities that are lagging, or is the delay widespread?
You might also consider performing a risk assessment. Identify any potential bottlenecks or obstacles that might arise in the future. Are there dependencies that could cause further delays? Maybe certain functionalities rely on third-party solutions that aren’t finalized yet.
But say you arrive at the conclusion that a manpower boost is absolutely necessary. If this is the case, then make sure to assimilate members slowly while being careful not to disrupt the existing harmony in your team.
So next time you're staring down a delayed project, pause before you draft in more programmers. Remember, more doesn't always mean faster – especially mid-journey. With careful and mindful additions, your team's velocity can be boosted without sacrificing the hard-won cohesion of the group.
Want to see all full key ideas from The Mythical Man-Month?
Key ideas in The Mythical Man-Month
More knowledge in less time
Read or listen
Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
Find your next read
Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
Shortcasts New
We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.
What is The Mythical Man-Month about?
The Mythical Man-Month (1975) invites you into the intriguing world of software development. It stirs the pot of conventional wisdom, and introduces fresh perspectives on team dynamics, project timelines, and the very nature of software complexity. Prepare to see the tech realm with fresh eyes and a renewed perspective.
The Mythical Man-Month Review
The Mythical Man-Month (1975) is a compelling book that delves into the challenges of managing software projects. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- Packed with timeless wisdom, it offers invaluable insights into the complexities of software development, helping readers navigate through common pitfalls.
- By sharing personal experiences and case studies, the book gives a glimpse into the realities of building large-scale software systems, making it relatable and practical.
- With its thought-provoking analysis of project management issues and applicable solutions, it keeps readers engaged, ensuring that the topic remains stimulating and far from boring.
Who should read The Mythical Man-Month?
- Software project managers seeking insight
- Developers navigating team dynamics
- Tech enthusiasts exploring industry history
Categories with The Mythical Man-Month
Book summaries like The Mythical Man-Month
People ❤️ Blinkist
Sven O.
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Thi Viet Quynh N.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Jonathan A.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Renee D.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
People also liked these summaries
4.7 Stars
Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
32 Million
Downloads on all platforms
10+ years
Experience igniting personal growth
The Mythical Man-Month FAQs
What is the main message of The Mythical Man-Month?
The main message of The Mythical Man-Month is that adding more manpower to a late software project makes it even later.
How long does it take to read The Mythical Man-Month?
The reading time for The Mythical Man-Month varies depending on the reader, but it typically takes several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in 15 minutes.
Is The Mythical Man-Month a good book? Is it worth reading?
The Mythical Man-Month is worth reading as it provides valuable insights into software project management and highlights important considerations for team productivity.
Who is the author of The Mythical Man-Month?
The author of The Mythical Man-Month is Frederick P. Brooks.
What to read after The Mythical Man-Month?
If you're wondering what to read next after The Mythical Man-Month, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Behind the Cloud by Marc R. Benioff and Carlye Adler
- Team Topologies by Matthew Skelton & Manuel Pais
- Accelerate by Nicole Forsgren
- The Devops Handbook by Gene Kim
- Talking to Strangers by Malcolm Gladwell
- Learning Agile by Andrew Stellman and Jennifer Greene
- Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki
- In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts by Gabor Maté
- A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson
- The Phoenix Project by Gene Kim