[ebaysucks]

Would be interested in where you read that if you find it again - below is a link to an article that says the optimal team size is 5 to 8 based on a Dunbar analysis.

3 in unstable as too often 1 person feels left out, 4 is an even number so risk of split vote.

http://www.lifewithalacrity.com/2004/03/the_dunbar_numb.html

[arethuza]

I read that a long long time ago - but I'll have a think and see if I can recall where it was.

I'd agree that a larger team effectively mitigates risks around individuals not fitting in or decision-making being stymied, but in my own personal experience I've definitely preferred, due to a perception of maximising by own personal productivity, that 3 or 4 was best. That is, of course, completely subjective!

[arethuza]

I can't find where I originally read that (although I believe the original research was by IBM).

However, here is a more recent article that suggests that "best" team size is 5 plus or minus 2 - which fits into my preferred range:

http://www.informit.com/articles/article.aspx?p=1674234&...

[roguecoder]

Technical decisions in a 4 person team should really be built on a consensus model rather than a democracy. Otherwise there's a chance of factionalism.

[gbog]

split vote: do you really vote decisions? if it's 50/50, I'd say the real solution hasn't been found yet.