Yes, for a VC-backed startup between 8 and 50 people, which is what I'm broadly trying to write about. You can check whether someone is a good programmer prett

Yes, for a VC-backed startup between 8 and 50 people, which is what I'm broadly trying to write about. You can check whether someone is a good programmer pretty quickly during interview & practical exercises, it turns out. The best way is a complete-in-your-own-time 2-hour coding exercise that's relevant to the job they'll be doing. The cost (both economic and in terms of team morale) of sacking someone is not inconsiderable.