I've been told downsizing can be very random. "We'll keep PersonA because they're in the middle of a project that is running late, and our client won't tolerate

I've been told downsizing can be very random. "We'll keep PersonA because they're in the middle of a project that is running late, and our client won't tolerate a change, but PersonB just finished their project". I doubt it's as random as all that - and I've known people who were forced out because of their salary (he went from sales to project management, but kept the salary, and they let him go at the first opportunity).