LobstersWednesday · May 20, 2026FREE

Human Bottlenecks

software-engineeringteam-managementproductivity

In a detailed essay on Lobsters, the author contends that software projects are most often slowed by human limitations, not technical debt or tooling. Key points include: communication overhead grows quadratically with team size, decision-making is hampered by too many options or stakeholders, and individual cognitive capacity is finite. The post suggests that reducing these bottlenecks—through smaller teams, clearer ownership, and streamlined processes—can yield greater productivity gains than optimizing code. It cites examples like Conway's Law and the Mythical Man-Month, arguing that many 'technical' problems are actually human ones. The piece does not announce a product or release, but offers a reflective critique of common engineering practices.

// why it matters

Developers should prioritize team structure and communication over technical optimization.

Sources

Primary · Lobsters
▸ Read original at borretti.me

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