MENTAL MODEL · M0693

Two-Pizza Rule

BusinessHigh supportManagement

Included

Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-30

CORE DEFINITION

A classic rule from Amazon. If two pizzas are not enough to feed a team for a meal, then the team is too large. Usually refers to keeping team size within 6-10 people.

SCAFFOLDING EFFECT

psychology

Reduce cognitive load

- Communication entropy reduction: As team size increases, communication links grow exponentially ($N(N-1)/2$). Small teams minimize communication costs and maximize agility, avoiding 'social loafing' (free-riding).

anchor

Anchor fast decisions

Amazon's rule of thumb for team size: teams should be small enough to be fed by two pizzas (about 6-10 people). The mechanism is that communication links grow combinatorially with team size, N(N-1)/2, so doubling the team size more than doubles communication costs; small teams reduce coordination entropy, decrease social loafing, and increase agility.

MINIMUM ACTION

In progress 0/2

Practice this model in one real situation:

Review team size
if two pizzas are not enough, split the team. 2) Break large tasks into sub-goals that can be independently delivered by small teams. 3) Use clear interfaces rather than hierarchy to coordinate multiple small teams. 4) Periodically check if the team has grown too large again.

Check to track your progress (stored locally)

Learning progress0%

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Source support: Explicit

link
baike.baidu.comhttps://baike.baidu.com/item/%E4%B8%A4%E4%B8%AA%E6%8A%AD%E8%90%A8%E5%8E%9F%E5%88%99/50017782ZH · Explicit
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