[bcbrown]

> We started from the assertion that if a software project loses all of its devs it will not be maintainable anymore by new hires.

I recognize that this is due to my imperfect summary/introduction of the paper, but it doesn't make that assertion. I highly recommend reading it; it's not that difficult or technical.

I've maintained systems where I could talk to the original developers, and I've maintained systems where I couldn't. I know there's a difference in outcomes between the two cases, but I wouldn't say the latter is "not maintainable". Certainly buggier and slower to develop against, though.