Consensus Quote by Fred Brooks
“Consensus processes starve innovative design by eating the resource.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Mythical Man-Month, Frederick P. Brooks Jr., 1975
When decision‑making spreads across many participants, it consumes time and resources that could otherwise fuel creative design work.
In simple terms: Too many voices drain innovation.
Key Takeaway
Limit participants in design decisions.
Themes
collaboration
innovation
resource allocation
decision making
processes
Mood
analytical
concerned
Type
strategic
advisory
When to use this quote
- product development
- software engineering
- team brainstorming
- strategic planning
Key Concepts
systems thinking
trade‑offs
creative bottlenecks
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you balance inclusivity with efficiency?
- What criteria decide who joins the design process?
A Different Perspective
If the group is too small, diverse perspectives may be missed.
