When a software project is running behind schedule, adding more people to the project may seem like a logical solution to speed up the process. However, this is not always the case, and in fact, adding people to a late software project can often make it even later. As Robert L. Glass stated in his book, “Facts and Fallacies of Software Engineering”: “Adding manpower to a late software project makes it later” - this is one of the most well-known and widely recognized “facts” of software engineering. It has been observed time and time again that adding more people to a project that is already behind schedule is unlikely to speed things up and can actually make the project even later.

One of the main reasons for this is that new team members need to be brought up to speed on the project’s codebase, design, and workflow. This process can take a significant amount of time and effort from existing team members, who may already be stretched thin trying to meet project deadlines. As a result, the addition of new team members can create a bottleneck in the project’s progress, causing further delays. Moreover, adding more people to a project can also lead to communication and coordination issues. With more people involved, there are more potential points of failure, and it can be challenging to ensure that everyone is on the same page and working towards the same goals. Miscommunication and misunderstandings can lead to mistakes, rework, and ultimately, delays.

In addition, when adding people to a late software project, there is a risk of compromising the project’s quality. Rushing to meet deadlines can lead to shortcuts, oversights, and technical debt, which can impact the project’s long-term stability and maintainability. As such, project managers should be cautious when considering adding more people to a late software project and instead focus on optimizing their existing team’s productivity and processes. They should identify and address any bottlenecks or roadblocks and create a realistic and achievable timeline for project completion.