Mysterious Microsoft level system - somewhat demystified.

You could say I am obsessed with hierarchies. Well, I am not. But hierarchies and lists are pretty common themes in my journal.

One hierarchy I don't understand very well is the Microsoft system or levels. In the book "Barbarians Led By Gates" the system is partially explained. They say that developers are rated on a scale from 10 to 15, 13 being a group lead and 15 being an equivalent of a VP. It seems to have changed since the book was written, because is level 62.

Hmm, can't find any info on that online. Maybe other books about Microsoft will have a better explanation.