>Hi Jim,
>
>>
>>Well I've always considered that a smaller group, skunkworks-like in nature, can get a whole lot more done than some huge bloated group with (necessarily) excess "bureaucracy".
>
>I think it's a double-edged sword. You are right in some respects, but a limited number of staff also generates limited opportunities IMHO.
>

I think 12 is plenty big for an effective group. I have a feeling that many of the people working on VB are working on user psychology and ergonomic issues instead of on hardcore technical stuff.

If you have any doubts as to the detriments of oversized software teams, you should read "The Mythical Man-month" by Fred Brooks. It is an excellent book anyway...