[bjourne]

10x might not be a good description. It is not specified at all what is multiplied by ten. But I'm sure there are engineers that are capable of performing at levels far, far beyond the average.

No one would bat an eye if you point out the huge skill differential between a professional musician or a professional footballer and an amateur. If it could be quantified, Yngwie would be at least 500x better electric guitar player than me and Messi 9.37e8 better at football. I don't think software development skill is all that different. In fact, it would be surprising if the difference between average and elite was only 10x when it is so much larger in other disciplines.