Getting Real: Chapter8
We know that two heads are better than one but a lot of heads will just make it unproductive. That might be the reason behind 3-4 members for thesis because once we have a large group, we tend to lose focus, lose momentum in doing and actually finishing projects.
It’s not about the number of people you have to get for your team to be awarded with an ice cream cone or something but it is about how productive they are, how smart they think of solutions for a simple problem, and how many things they do know so when you lose one person, the job will still be finished. It is more of getting people who are substitutes, substitutes to other team member’s ability.
Having someone who can do what others do well in is always the way to go. 
Ciao!
PM Hut said,
October 2, 2008 at 5:06 am
Actually it’s also about communications, communication channels are exponential. Let’s say, for example, you have 3 people on the team, then you will have 4 communication channels (A with B, A with C, B with C, A with B with C). Throw in another team member and the number will jump to around 10 (I can’t remember the formula).
Paul Pajo said,
November 5, 2008 at 5:18 pm
@PM Hut It’s call Dunbar’s Number