Steve Jones - SSC Editor (6/27/2013)
Perhaps we have different definitions of side project. As John H noted, this would be 15-20 hours outside your current job, nights, weekends, whatever.
Yes, it seems so. Your "side project" is 15-20 hours. I definitely was not thinking along those lines. I fail to see that what you could learn in that time that you could not find out in an old-fashioned interview.
As a side note, if you didn't think this was a good idea, an explanation of why, or some reasons make sense. Jumping to conclusions and saying something is ridiculous doesn't seem like a thoughtful reaction.
To be honest, it seemed self-evident to me. I struggle to see why anyone would have a different view.
Then there is the fact that this method does not scale, as you put it. Well, you got that right. You can assess exactly one person this way. How many 15-20 hour projects do you have lying around anyway?
This idea has no chance to work.