Overtime Quote by Tom DeMarco
““we don’t work overtime so much to get the work done on time as to shield ourselves from blame when the work inevitably doesn’t get done on time.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Mythical Man-Month by Fred Brooks, 1975
People often work extra hours not to finish tasks but to avoid blame when deadlines are missed.
In simple terms: Overtime protects against criticism, not productivity.
Key Takeaway
Focus on realistic planning, not overtime.
Themes
work culture
blame avoidance
time management
Mood
stressful
defensive
Type
advice
observational
When to use this quote
- project planning
- team meetings
- performance reviews
Key Concepts
accountability
psychology of work
risk management
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we redesign incentives to reduce blame culture?
- What policies encourage timely delivery without overtime?
A Different Perspective
Overtime can still be necessary in crises.
![“While this [10 to 1] productivity differential among programmers is understandable, there is also a 10 to 1 difference in productivity among software organizations” quote by Tom DeMarco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d65/tom-demarco-12134_productivity_while-this-10-to-1-productivity-differen_444032.jpg)
