I think the best way to compare individual programmer vs pair programmers is to look at it this way: When you work yourself on implementing something, how will

I think the best way to compare individual programmer vs pair programmers is to look at it this way: When you work yourself on implementing something, how will compare these two: YOU (60% of your capacity) vs YOU (>90% of your capacity) My philosophy is that pair programming is just like individual programming but just increase the output efficiency of one of the member in the pair by 30% or so (if the pair is a good pair). Thats it. An individual programmer at his >90% capacity will outweigh (in terms of output/cost) two programmers at 60% capacity. So, if you have to pair them to get a single programmer with 90% capacity, do it.