A design style is defined by a set of microdecisions. A clear style reflects a consistent set. A clear style may not be a good style; a muddled one never is.

Systematically identity top designers as early as possible. The best are often not the most experienced.

Adjusting to the requirement for perfection is, I think, the most difficult part of learning to program.

The boss must first distinguish between action information and status information. He must discipline himself not to act on problems his managers can solve, and never to act on problems when he is explicitly reviewing status.

I am more convinced than ever. Conceptual integrity is central to product quality.

I have never seen an experienced programmer who routinely made detailed flow charts before beginning to write programs.

It is very difficult to make a vigorous, plausible, and job-risking defense of an estimate that is derived by no quantitative method, supported by little data, and certified chiefly by the hunches of the managers