Mongolian Hordes technique

Mongolian Hordes technique
 n.

   [poss. from the Sixties counterculture expression Mongolian
   clusterfuck for a public orgy] Development by {gang bang}. Implies
   that large numbers of inexperienced programmers are being put on a job
   better performed by a few skilled ones (but see {bazaar}). Also called
   Chinese Army technique; see also {Brooks's Law}.
    

Mongolian Hordes technique
Chinese Army technique

   <programming, jargon> (Or "Chinese Army technique") Assigning
   a large number of inexperienced programmers to a job which
   would better performed by a few skilled ones.  The term was
   first used by Dr. Fred Brooks in his book "{The Mythical
   Man-Month}", Chapter 3.

   According to Dr. Brooks, he had in mind the vision of the
   Mongol Hordes sweeping across Asia and Europe when he created
   the term.

   [{Jargon File}]

   (1996-06-20)