The new hire started in March. Output fell until June.

Adding a person to a stretched team subtracts capacity before it adds any, and the depth of that dip is more controllable than most firms assume.

By Steve 5 min read
Abstract bridge artwork for The new hire started in March. Output fell until June.

The headcount decision is almost always modelled as addition. One more delivery consultant, one more estimator, one more field engineer: capacity rises by roughly a person, cost rises by roughly a salary, and the two are assumed to start on the same day. The cost does. The capacity does not, and in the months between, the team frequently produces less than it did before the hire arrived. This is not a failure of the individual. It is the predictable shape of what happens when a new person is inserted into…

Keep reading for free

Create an account to read the rest.

The whole library is free. No card, no subscription, no trial that quietly ends. An account simply lets us know who we are writing for, and opens every article from here on.

  • Every article, in full, at no cost
  • New articles published every weekday
  • Takes about twenty seconds
Create a free account I already have one

Free means free. We will not charge you for the library, and you can read as much of it as you like.

Important: General information only. Rialto Bridge articles describe patterns and considerations that may apply to a business; they are not financial, legal, tax or accounting advice, and they take no account of your particular circumstances. Consider your own situation and seek advice from a qualified professional before acting.

More on Operations

Scroll to Top