Characterizing People as Non-Linear, First-Order Components in Software Development

Alistair Cockburn has reviewed three dozen projects and methodologies over 20 years. I quote his conclusions :

1. We are sensitive to communication timing and modalities. The prediction is that physical proximity and ease of communication has dominant effect.
2. People tend to inconsistency. The prediction is that methodologies requiring disciplined consistency are fragile in practice.
3. People vary, not just daily, but from group to group. Methodologies don't currently, but do need to deal with this cultural variation.
4. People like to be good citizens, are good at looking around and taking initiative. These combine to form that common success factor, "a few good people stepped in at key moments."

Characterizing People as Non-Linear, First-Order Components in Software Development.
Form : 9 pages (I had to copy and paste the whole text in OpenOffice in order to get a readable printout !)
Source : I saw a reference to his article on the TheServerSide.