Fred Brooks — People

A brass balance scale holds several small wooden blocks opposite a single gray block. — Original artwork

A little retrospection shows that although many fine, useful software systems have been designed by committees and built as part of multipart projects, those software systems that have excited passionate fans are those that are the products of one or a few designing minds, great designers.

Fred Brooks

A crowded 1960s machine room of programmers in white shirts at desks as a manager points at a schedule on a blackboard. — Original artwork

Adding manpower to a late software project makes it later.

Fred Brooks

A wooden abacus with pale green beads rests on yellow cloth against brick red. — Original artwork

How does a project get to be a year late? … One day at a time.

Fred Brooks

Study after study shows that the very best designers produce structures that are faster, smaller, simpler, clearer, and produced with less effort. The differences between the great and the average approach an order of magnitude.

Fred Brooks

A folded plaid blanket rests beside a small wooden cradle with pale cloth hanging over its side. — Original artwork

The bearing of a child takes nine months, no matter how many women are assigned.

Fred Brooks

Glowing keyboard keys release tiny floating landscapes, an open book, a sailboat and golden sparks against a dark blue background. — Original artwork

The magic of myth and legend has come true in our time. One types the correct incantation on a keyboard, and a display screen comes to life, showing things that never were nor could be.

Fred Brooks