Standards (and Rules of Thumb)

Occam’s Razor. If a simple solution is available, it is always preferable to more complicated explanations.
Coined by medieval monk and philosopher, William of Occam.

Catching Snakes. To catch and hold a python takes one human handler for each four feet of snake. An eight foot python takes two handlers.
Source: L.M. Boyd, The Journal, Feb. 4, 1998.

Frequency of Use of Letters of the Alphabet. Order of frequency of use for the letters of the alphabet in the English language is ETAONRISHDLUCMFGYPWBVKXJQZ.
Source: Marilyn vos Savant, Parade Magazine, Feb. 14, 1999.

Average Number of Hours Worked per Week (Entrepreneurs). 52
Source:  Entrepreneur, November 2005.

Average Number of Hours Worked per Week (Europeans).

Programmer Productivity.

• Average productivity difference between best and worst programmers - 10:1
• Average difference in program speed and space requirements of best and worst performing    programmers - 5:1

Source: The Mythical Man-month, 1995. Frederick P. Brooks, Jr.

Speed Assembly? It takes a qualified, capable, and motivated auto assembler about two days to put one car together. According to the Harbour Report (http://www.harbourinc.com/html/home.html), the most productive plant is a General Motors facility in Oshawa, Ontario where it takes 15.85 hours per unit. In Smyrna, Tennessee, it takes Nissan Motor assemblers 16.1 hours to put the Altima together.
Source: The Washington Post, June 3, 2005.

Time from Stomach to Brain. Twenty (20) minutes is the time it takes for one's brain to get the message that the stomach is full.

Time to Rent a Movie. Two (2) minutes for one customer to make a decision. Ten (10) minutes when two customers make the decision. At least 30 minutes when three customers make the decision.
Source: L.M. Boyd, The Journal, Feb. 4, 1998.

Time with Kids. On average, 2.3 hours per day are spent by working fathers with their children. This is about one-half hour more than 20 years ago according to Families and Work Institute.
Source: The Wall Street Journal, Jan. 19, 1999.

Unload Bottom Rack First! That way water that drips from the top rack while you unload the dishwasher will not land on clean, dry dishes. You will save towel drying time.

Walking. Three (3) miles per hour is accepted by many to be normal walking speed.

Web Site Visitor Dwell Time. Ten (10) seconds is the longest time the average Web site visitor waits for a page to download unless they know beforehand they are downloading a large file, e.g., sound file or movie.

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